This week I’ve been driving home the point that followers of Jesus don’t “have it all together.” Instead, they have it all, together. The placement of that comma makes all the difference in the world. Today l want to focus on that word “together.” The Bible calls the church the “body of Christ” (1 Corinthians … Continue reading Each of you is a part of it
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Being a Christian would be easy if it weren’t for this
I remember having a conversation with someone who said, “Being a Christian would be easy if you didn’t have to deal with actual people.” He was being funny, of course. But what he meant was that following Jesus and God’s commands are easy… until you have to put them into practice with actual flesh and … Continue reading Being a Christian would be easy if it weren’t for this
How perfect or spiritually mature everyone is
A lot of people think the church is based on how perfect or spiritually mature everyone is. If you think that way, you’re always going to be disappointed in God’s church. Why? Because people continually fall short of what you think the appropriate moral standard is. Should we have standards? Of course! But keep this … Continue reading How perfect or spiritually mature everyone is
Ask not what your fellowship can do for you…
One of the most famous speeches in American history was by John F Kennedy in 1961. He said, “Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.” It was a call to community, to think about something more than just your own individual needs. Thinking about faith, I’d … Continue reading Ask not what your fellowship can do for you…
I just can’t do it alone
We live in a highly individualistic society. Let me tell you what I mean: 1) Automobiles and changing, busy patterns of life can result in less time in our own neighbourhoods and fewer meaningful relationships and connections with the people around us. 2) Harvard professor Robert Putnam says that much of our free time has … Continue reading I just can’t do it alone
More than just one moment
One of the ideas people have is that meaningful faith is formed and shaped in one big dramatic moment. Kind of like a spiritual “Big Bang” event. And in some cases, it is. But what I’ve noticed is that most people’s faith is formed and shaped over time—and as a result of MANY factors. Here’s … Continue reading More than just one moment
The cure for poor I-sight
It’s no secret that our society is highly individualistic. It often seems like everyone’s elbowing for room in a me-first world where there’s only so much happiness, opportunity or money to go around. From a Christian point of view, the problem is that we’re supposed to put God first—not ourselves. Jesus said, “If anyone would … Continue reading The cure for poor I-sight
A step backward to move forward
Recently I was playing catch with my 6-year-old son. He’s been getting better and better. So we’ve gotten into the habit of backing up further and further away from each other so that it’s more of a challenge. But we hadn’t played catch in a while. So when we resumed our usual far-away positions, he … Continue reading A step backward to move forward
You are someone’s missing piece
In 1 Corinthians 12:27 the apostle Paul says, “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” This idea that the church is the “body of Christ” is pretty well-known. In fact, when people say that Jesus is the “head” (boss and brains) of the church, and … Continue reading You are someone’s missing piece
Like muscles to your flesh
Hebrews 10:24-25 “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another…” (NIV) Today's Thought People. Humans. Unless you’re a hermit in the middle of the desert with no WiFi, you can’t … Continue reading Like muscles to your flesh
