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?
Tag: faith
Father
"No one who denies the Son can have the Father; he who confesses the Son has the Father as well." -1 John 2:23 The latter half of this verse is somewhat of an affirmation for me, because until very recently my prayers were adressed "Christ Jesus". I actually felt a bit self-conscious about that because … Continue reading Father
Rhema
"So, faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ." - Romans 10:17 Another translation renders it, "...what is heard comes through the message about Christ." The Greek for "word" is not "logos" here, but "rhema". Personally, what this verse means to me is that I am made able to hear by God … Continue reading Rhema
Unique
"Based on the gift they have recieved, everyone should use it to serve others, as good managers of the varied grace of God." -1 Peter 4:10 Two things I want to emphasize here: "based on the gift they have recieved", and, "the varied grace of God". If you don't fit in, maybe it's because God … Continue reading Unique
Callings and Arguments
In John 12:1-7, Judas chastised Mary for anointing Jesus’ feet with an expensive, fragrant oil, which he argued could’ve been sold and the proceeds given to the poor. Jesus replied, “Leave her alone; she has kept it for the day of my burial. For you always have the poor with you, but you do not … Continue reading Callings and Arguments
Vision and Peace
"Don't love sleep, or you will become poor; open your eyes, and you'll have enough to eat." - Proverbs 20:13 This verse came to mind because I was recently thinking about peace. I believe that peace, specifically a sense of peace about God's provision and direction for your life is founded in how you see … Continue reading Vision and Peace
What You Need to See
“He who sees me sees the One who sent me.” -John 12:45 The glory is closer than you think. The doubters of Jesus’ time demanded a sign, and replied to Jesus with fierce indignation and arguments about how He couldn’t be who He said he was. They replied with a doctrine of distance when Jesus … Continue reading What You Need to See
My Two Biggest Fears
My two biggest fears are; 1.) Not having sufficient emotional abundance and availability to really be helpful on that level to those who are closest to me, primarily my wife and possible children in the future. 2.) Getting stuck at a level, personally, professionally, and spiritually that is well below my potential. Why these thoughts … Continue reading My Two Biggest Fears
At the Heart Level
Sharing these passages, the theme I have in mind is that of God calling people closer to Him at the heart level: Isaiah 1:11-16 11 “What are all your sacrifices to Me?” asks the Lord. “I have had enough of burnt offerings and rams and the fat of well-fed cattle; I have no desire for the … Continue reading At the Heart Level
Healing a Soul
The context here is John 5:1-15. Verse five is what hit me the hardest: “One man was there who had been sick for 38 years.” You can be healed of a condition, but how do you recover from being trained into a mindset, or from having your mindset reinforced by your circumstances? Thirty-eight years. How … Continue reading Healing a Soul
