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
Tag: inspiration
The Wrong Question
"What does the Bible say?" That is the wrong question. Looking for the divine, tradition misses the humanity, misses the incarnation of God's Spirit, misses the Spirit dwelling among us. So, the real question is, "What did God say to this person in that instance?" or "What did this person say to those people in … Continue reading The Wrong Question
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
The Seasonality of Revelation
In the Gospel of Mark, chapter two, is the following story: “Now John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting. People came and asked Him, ‘Why do John’s disciples and the Pharisees’ fast, but your disciples do not fast?’ Jesus said to them, ‘The wedding guests cannot fast while the groom is with them, can they? … Continue reading The Seasonality of Revelation
What Does it Mean to Believe?
The word “believe” according to the Strong's Concordance, is from the Greek word ‘Pisteuo’ (pist-yoo-o) “to have faith (in upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), that is, credit; by implication to entrust”. It is from the word “pistis”, meaning “persuasion, that is, credence; moral conviction...” In the KJV, “pistis” is translated as … Continue reading What Does it Mean to Believe?
Holy Crumbs
Since early in my Christian walk, the ceremony involving little pieces of bread and micro-shots of grape juice never made sense to me. I’m speaking about communion. Yes, Jesus did say, “do this in remembrance of me,” but when He said that, the ceremony I’m familiar with didn’t exist yet. Different theological streams each do … Continue reading Holy Crumbs
Activated
After a long exile in Babylon, and then a change of dominant political power in that part of the world, the people of Judah were finally allowed to go back and rebuild their temple. In that time frame is Ezra 4:24-5:2, “Now the construction of God’s house in Jerusalem had stopped and remained at a … Continue reading Activated
Victor Frankl, ‘Man’s Search For Meaning’
This is the follow up to Frankl thus far , which I wrote about halfway through my reading of the book. Personally, I see two preeminent themes. One, is the idea that man can get used to anything, which I covered in that earlier post. That is an important notion because it suggests that there is … Continue reading Victor Frankl, ‘Man’s Search For Meaning’
Raise Your Standards
Tony Robbins' teachings on this shifted my thinking into my current perspective on this subject. He has commented that "you don't always get your shoulds, but you always get your musts"...applying this principle to everything from income level to fitness. Most people 'should' go to the gym, but the people who actually follow through are … Continue reading Raise Your Standards
What Do You Want to Be When You Grow Up?
Jesus, speaking to Peter one on one: "I assure you: when you were young, you would tie your belt and walk wherever you wanted. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will tie you and carry you where you don't want to go." He said this to signify … Continue reading What Do You Want to Be When You Grow Up?
Andrew K. Banks 