When was the last time you attended a work training session, or went to a conference or workshop intended to develop your skills? What skills were you developing? These are great skills to have, and we are wise to keep learning skills and virtues that will serve us well in the workplace and in our career. However, in the grand scheme of life, most of these skills and virtues are of secondary importance.
Read MoreWhen was the last time you were persecuted for choosing to live a Christ-like lifestyle? It’s been a while for me, which is a clear sign I have either surrounded myself primarily with Christians or am not living in a way that truly reflects the righteousness of Christ.
Read MoreI’m what is known as a ‘spicy one’, meaning I don’t often stay quiet when offended, and *may* have a bit of a hot head. Keeping peace is not often my strong suit. This Beatitude always seemed to be unattainable unless God gave me a whole new personality. But if you look closely, this Beatitude doesn’t say blessed are the peacekeepers…
Read MoreSometimes, I think I’m doing pretty good. I am a decent human. I mostly don’t break the 10 Commandments. I can give myself an A on good behaviour, or maybe even an A+! Sadly, however, good behaviour alone is meaningless, especially when we see this Beatitude.
Read More“You who are empty are being filled. Out of your fullness, fill an empty person in need, so that your own emptiness may again be filled by the fullness of God."
(Augustine of Hippo)
If you believe the theory behind the Enneagram personality tests, you’ll know that Enneagram 7’s are never satisfied. They are always looking to the next thing, whether it is a trip, an adventure, or a new outfit. I know, because I am a textbook Enneagram 7 and have come to recognize that I always want more.
Read MoreThe meek demonstrate an extraordinary self-control of passion, temper, word and action. As Jesus surrendered his power to his Father, so too can we surrender our rights, anger, demands and deeds to the Spirit within.
Read MoreEven though we often think of “Blessed are those who mourn” as applying to another person's grief, when Jesus taught this Beatitude, mourning had less to do with someone grieving, and more to do with those experiencing intense sorrow for their own broken ways and for the brokenness of the world.
Read MoreThe day I entered into the kingdom of God, it was easy to lower myself before him. It’s easy to be poor in spirit at the start of one’s faith journey. It’s much harder to maintain a desperation for God when you can rely on your own strengths, talents, wealth, and knowledge.
Read MoreIn order to follow Jesus well, we must abide in him. Sadly, however, this is one of my biggest struggles in my walk with God. I love lists and being able to check things off, but as soon as abiding becomes a to-do item, it stops being abiding.
Read MoreIt is a loving action to give a person autonomy and not try to control them, but it also causes us great pain to watch that person's life turn into a dumpster fire. We may offer help, but if the person refuses to turn from their own stubborn desires, we can only lament, pray, and continue to love.
Read MoreKing Jehoram of Judah is a very extreme example of a life gone awry. However, his life provides a powerful lesson that may be summed up best in the words of Warren Buffet: “To live a good life, write your obituary and reverse engineer it."
Read MoreWe've all likely been there in one form or another. "What have I done? How could I be so stupid?" This feeling may have arisen over something most would find innocuous, or something much more serious. Either way, we are all familiar with regret, and some of us are familiar with deep regret. Today, let's talk about the latter.
Read MoreEarlier this week I had my check up with my doctor. As part of the exam he took my blood pressure, looked at the results from my blood test regarding cholesterol, brought up a chart on his computer, and stated: "You have a 5% chance of having a heart attack in the next ten years."
Read MoreWhen I was growing up, I was always game for an argument. I would state my case, and restate, and restate, and restate some more. I wasn't very open to changing my point of view, but I was certainly open to expressing it. I still can be like this today.
Read MoreThe Morning Light is one of the first names given to Jesus. Do you know the last name given to him? In Revelation 22:16 Jesus calls himself the Bright Morning Star. What is it about these similar titles (Morning Light and Morning Star) that would cause biblical authors to bookend the New Testament with these references?
Read MoreSomething about Jesus attracted broken people far from God. Sadly, I'm not sure that people “far from God” today seek out Jesus' followers like “tax collectors and sinners” sought Jesus.
Read MoreWe may have said no to God many times in our past. Perhaps we are saying no to him in some area of our life right now. However, a change of heart and a humble yes can alter everything.
Read MoreIt has been said that God has no spiritual grandchildren. We are all responsible for our own relationship with Christ. Are you confident you know how to grow in your faith, deepen your relationship with God, and develop love for others? Sadly, this was not the case for Joash.
Read MoreWhat makes a person spiritually mature? Perhaps their number of years following Jesus? No. Maybe the amount of knowledge they have about spiritual topics? No. Perhaps the regularity with which they engage in spiritual practices? No.
All of the above are good, and they can lead to maturity when done regularly and relationally with God and others, but they are not the evidence of spiritual maturity.
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