1 Corinthians 12:7 "A manifestation of the Spirit is given to each person to produce what is beneficial..." What is given? A manifestation of the Spirit. For what purpose? To produce what is beneficial. These are Divine gifts given not merely to the individual through whom they are manifest, but to other members of the … Continue reading This is the Body
Tag: church
On Stage
- I wonder, if you don't struggle a bit to put something together when you are tasked to teach or preach, if you should be preaching. Things can flow very naturally when the message is from the Holy Spirit, but I am talking about the risk of being a pro in your own ability and … Continue reading On Stage
You Can’t Do It Alone
"What you're doing is not good,' Moses' Father in Law said to him. 'You will certainly wear out both yourself and these people who are with you, because the task is too heavy for you. You can't do it alone..." -Exodus 18:18-19 "Then the Twelve summoned the whole company of the disciples and said, 'It … Continue reading You Can’t Do It Alone
Why Do People Walk Away?
Why do people walk away from church, or the Christian faith, or from belief in God more generally? I believe the answers to that question are as varied as the people who could give them. Sometimes there is abuse perpetrated by someone who is supposed to represent the church. Sometimes a person goes through painful … Continue reading Why Do People Walk Away?
Lenses and Images
It is not clear to me that I am in a place right now where I can say something other than what I need to hear myself. I am preaching things I need to get myself. I was once having a conversation with with someone about the need for truths known in the head to … Continue reading Lenses and Images
Things are not as They Appear
"For he who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgement to himself if he does not judge the body rightly" - 1 Corinthians 11:29 1 Corinthians 11:17-33 is not a passage to be used by your church as an incantation for their particular theological bent on communion. Instead, it is a call for the church … Continue reading Things are not as They Appear
Idols and Rebels
"We are men also, with the same nature as you..." - from Acts 14:15 Paul and Barnabas shouted this at a crowd that was about to start worshiping them. I recently had a conversation with a friend about kids who rebel from really conservative families. How does that subject relate to this verse? The thought … Continue reading Idols and Rebels
My Toothbrush is Holy
I am a big fan of demystifying churchey words, not because I am irreverent, but because I don't want their effect to be lost. So, "holy". I would describe "holy" as 'designated for a particular purpose'. People have holidays (holy-days) designated for remembrance of certain religiously significant events. A holy day, or holy place, or … Continue reading My Toothbrush is Holy
I am the Pharisee
The topic of conversation was the process of head-knowledge becoming real at the heart-level. Then the person I was talking with asked me, “How do you know when that change has occurred?” Unprepared to answer that question, I briefly paused and then gave the first answer that came to mind: “When I no longer feel … Continue reading I am the Pharisee
Whoever is Not Against Us is For Us
This story may be found in Mark chapter 9. Jesus was told, "Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in Your name, and we tried to stop him because he wasn't following us." Jesus responded, "Don't stop him." As Jesus explained his point, one thing he said was "Whoever is not against us is for … Continue reading Whoever is Not Against Us is For Us
Andrew K. Banks 