The word “Lent” is connected to an old word for “spring.” The idea is that spring roughly corresponds to the approach of Easter, when Jesus rose from the dead. Long story short: Lent has come to be known as a 40-day period of preparation (excluding Sundays) for the main event of the Christian faith: the … Continue reading A new time and a new task
spiritual growth
Truth-less “grace,” or grace-less “truth”?
In John 1:14 (and elsewhere) we learn that Jesus is God come to us in human form. In that same verse we also read: “We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” Notice how Jesus is full of grace and … Continue reading Truth-less “grace,” or grace-less “truth”?
Do your habits grow you or corrode you?
“whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable… think about such things” (Philippians 4:8). Some habits are good. Others are bad. We want good ones. We don’t want bad ones. But what are habits, anyway? Habits are thoughts or behaviours of repetition and momentum. As … Continue reading Do your habits grow you or corrode you?
The future you? A pillar of righteousness and peace
Imagine someone describing you like this: “They’re a pillar! They try to live rightly before God and others, and are free from excessive worry.” Wouldn’t that be great! But hold on, let’s back up a minute. There are times when hardship is discipline from God. I’m not saying that all hardship is discipline from our … Continue reading The future you? A pillar of righteousness and peace
Why some people can endure intense distress
Tom Long says that “People can endure intense distress and pain if they know it is not meaningless.”* Very true. Consider this illustration from William Gurnall: “If you should get up in the morning and hear men on your house tearing off the tiles and taking down the roof with hammers and axes, you might … Continue reading Why some people can endure intense distress
Trials can be trainers and teachers
Trials. Hardships. You have them. I have them. They’re not fun. But what if there was some greater purpose behind some of them? In Hebrews 12: 7, 10 we read: “Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children… God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his … Continue reading Trials can be trainers and teachers
Tie your shoes first
Knowing the ABC’s of Christianity is important. In fact, if we don’t have a solid grasp of the basics, it’s going to be difficult for us to move on to more complicated matters. The writer of Hebrews was frustrated with his readers. He says: “though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need … Continue reading Tie your shoes first
Beliefs that change how you live
In the much-quoted Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 7:21). Brothers and sisters, you don’t actually believe beliefs that don’t change how you live. Notes: … Continue reading Beliefs that change how you live
Be a place of learning
As you track through the book of Hebrews Jesus is given all the praise and glory. But then in chapter 3, verse 6 we learn that “we are [God’s] house, if indeed we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope in which we glory.” Further, we are “holy brothers and sisters” in that house … Continue reading Be a place of learning
Ships don’t sink because of water around them
Recently during a Sunday message Jeff Walther shared one of those quotes that makes you think, think again, and then think some more: “Ships don’t sink because of water around them. Ships sink because of water that gets in them. Don’t let what’s happening around you get inside you and weigh you down.”* We’re all … Continue reading Ships don’t sink because of water around them
