Seeing the Sublime x

One modern philosopher states that life’s three basic ingredients are: learning, earning and yearning. To a certain extent, we can agree with this. But life is more, much more. One author, a Russian novelist named Dostoevski, captures this concept when he writes: "Neither man nor nation can exist without a sublime idea." We must realize [...]

Commendable Faith x

Hebrews chapter 11 is often referred to as the “Hall of Fame of the Faithful”. Pausing to reflect on the lives of the people listed here is both encouraging and instructive. Through their lives we learn the meaning behind the assertion that faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what [...]

Gifts That Keep on Giving

God has blessed us in so many wonderful ways. We are reminded by James that “every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (cf. James 1:17) Similarly, the Apostle Peter points out that God has “given us everything we need [...]

Three Things that Matter Most

This post grows out of a continuing series of lessons that I am preaching. It is based on Mike Breen and Walt Kallestad’s “A Passionate Life” series, which develops the LIFEshapes approach to teaching discipleship. If you would like to hear this lesson preached click HERE. The format for this lesson is somewhat different from [...]

Until He Comes

This message was spoken during the morning worship gathering at the Cedars Church on Easter Sunday. You can listen to it by clicking here: Until He Comes. These thoughts regarding the resurrection preceded the communion service. Key passages were: Acts 1:1-11; John 14:1-3 and 1 Corinthians 11:23-26. Following the Lord’s Supper, one of our worship [...]

Spiritual Warfare

Paul usually wrote without equivocation regarding the call of God on the lives of those who wish to follow Jesus. Ephesians 5:8-11 is no exception. Here we read: For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all [...]

Growing Closer to God

Have you ever come across something in your files that looks familiar—like it could be something that you’ve written but you’re not certain? Well this post contains a list that comes from that category. The thing that makes me think I came up with it is the quirky alliteration. I’m kinda known for that. But [...]

What the World Needs Now

Why did the Roman Empire Fall? For many years I believed the answer to this question was universally agreed upon. According to Edward Gibbon, a man who is known in some circles as the first modern historian, the empire was conquered by barbarian invaders because of a loss of civic virtue amongst the general citizenry. [...]

Some Thoughts on Walking in Wisdom

The core issue in the letter of Colossians—that you may know Christ… I want you woven into a tapestry of love, in touch with everything there is to know of God. Then you will have minds confident and at rest, focused on Christ, God’s great mystery. All the richest treasures of wisdom and knowledge are [...]

Since You Have Been Raised With Christ x

Have you ever stopped to think about the monumental challenge which was the mission of the Apostle Paul? He was tasked with the responsibility of taking a completely new way of being human into a world that in many ways felt it had reached the zenith of development. His was a task of challenging, confronting [...]

A Good and Proper Way to Live

In the United States many of us are, thanks to Labor Day, enjoying a long weekend. The slight damage we suffered from Tropical Depression Ernesto was cleaned up early in the day. So, I’ve been able to rest and relax with my focus mainly on Flushing Meadows and the US Open. Tough day, huh? Yesterday [...]

Being a W-3 Community, Part 2

  WITNESS SONG By Greg Eggleston I will sing my witness song, I will sing it all day long, For a world that’s gone so wrong, I will sing it loud and strong. If you know Jesus then sing along, Sing along. Will you sing your witness song, Will you sing it all day long, [...]

Being a W-3 Community, Part 1

Because this has become so involved and because it involves a number of compelling matters, I’ve decided to present it in three installments. Some readers may have been playing along with my frivolity in previous posts as I’ve let the points trickle out. I apologize for this nonsense. Don’t know what got into me! Now, [...]

What Can I Do?

One bright morning a boy rushed to get up and get out to the beach. There had been a terrible storm the night before and he could just imagine all the treasures which had washed ashore during the night. When the boy got to the beach he was amazed to see the beach covered with [...]

TAKING ROOT – BEARING FRUIT, PART 2

My previous post was unfinished. In fact, I pursposely left the following question open for a few days: How do we go about taking root below and bearing fruit above? Greg’s comment reminded us that the idea of living in a vital relationship with God involves reliance upon God’s goodness, grace and guidance. Just like [...]

Taking Root Below – Bearing Fruit Above

Let’s just jump right into 2 Kings 19. Here we read about: — Hezekiah’s quandary: What to do in the day of distress? — Hezekiah’s reaction: Send word to Isaiah to pray for us. — Isaiah’s response: Tell Hezekiah that God says, “Do not be afraid…” — God’s promise: Tell Hezekiah that I will make [...]

Is Christ Living In You?

There is an old story about a missionary who was talking with an American Indian about his spiritual life. When the missionary asked him about his struggle with temptation and godly living, this person said that it felt like there was a battle going on inside of him. The missionary asked him what the battle [...]

When “Want To” is not Enough

My blogging buddy Greg will be glad to know this is the last post in this category, at least for a while. I’m hoping to prompt some feedback on some practical steps we can and should take in order to experience spiritual renewal. Please don’t hesitate to speak your mind. How many of us can [...]

When Spiritual Renewal Brings Thunder and Lightning

During this time of the year, we experience an increase in severe weather, even violent thunderstorms. These are the result of the unstable atmospheric conditions created by the clash between cold, dry air masses moving in from the north with warm, moisture laden weather systems moving northward. Clashes in worldviews produce similar conditions. This is [...]

Spiritual Renewal from the Inside Out

It was the best of times; it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness… Thus begins Charles Dickens’ classic novel A [...]