Spiritual Formation Takes Practice

Spiritual Formation Takes Practice

Don’t you just wish you could take a pill and wake up tomorrow all spiritually mature and mirroring the attributes of Jesus? Instead, you and I are told that we must persevere in our spiritual pursuits, practicing what we know will bring spiritual fruit to our lives....
A New Look at the “Yoke”

A New Look at the “Yoke”

In Matthew 11:28-30 all of us who are weary and burdened, are encouraged to take up the yoke of Christ and learn of Him. And He then promises that we will find rest for our souls. Every time I have heard that passage preached (or taught it myself), the emphasis has...
I Am a Child of God

I Am a Child of God

Let’s say that you get cornered at your spouse’s company picnic by a couple of nosey workers from the warehouse. And they ask you the question, “So, who are you?” You might start by identifying your spouse. You might share that you love to swim and watch the Olympics....
Thin Spaces

Thin Spaces

The Hillsong worship band has a wonderful song entitled, “Another in the Fire.” It speaks of the story of the three Hebrew children who after refusing to worship King Nebuchadnezzar were thrown into a fiery furnace. But as the King peers into those flames, he...
Our Alabaster Jar

Our Alabaster Jar

A story is told about a young man with Downs Syndrome who worked at a local grocery store. He loved the Lord and regularly attended his local church. One Sunday he heard a message about serving others with the unique gifts God has given you. He wondered what special...
The Poetry of Love

The Poetry of Love

I think my first introduction to the poetry of Elizabeth Barrett Browning came in the 11th grade. I loved some of her “love poems,” especially those addressed to her husband, Robert Browning. There is a cool story about her most famous writing to him. “One evening,...