The best thing about the church isn’t its cutting edge methodologies, its seeker sensitivities or its involvement in the latest, greatest social cause. It’s not its ministries, outreach, or benevolence. Neither is it Lord’s Suppers, sweet singing, or humble prayers. The best thing about the church isn’t its presence on social media, hospitality, or smallContinue reading “The Best Thing About Church”
Tag Archives: Jesus
Putting Our Weight Down On Jesus
Faith is how we overcome the world (1 John 5:4-5)—but what did John mean when he wrote these words? He didn’t mean we overcome by virtue of anything that we have done—even if we have done some good things and been used by God in some important and significant ways. God has no problem praisingContinue reading “Putting Our Weight Down On Jesus”
Listening to God
How do you think God would do in a political debate? One take is that He would be awesome and dominating. Every time He would speak there would be thunder and lightning and no one would care what anyone else had to say. I have to admit, I can see that scenario playing out. ButContinue reading “Listening to God”
Hypocrisy and Heart-Guarding
Hypocrisy is one of those words that’s bandied about with all too little thought as to what the word actually means. It’s an extreme term that’s over-employed because people want to shock or throw a verbal hand grenade as opposed to being accurate and truthful in their speech. The word comes to us from theContinue reading “Hypocrisy and Heart-Guarding”
Grace and Coming to God
Our situation is this—we’re drowning in an ocean of our sins and misdeeds. None of us are “one sin” sinners, we’re all repeat offenders. If we’re to be saved, it won’t be because we do it ourselves. We’re too far from land, too weak to swim long, and too much in touch with reality to kid ourselves otherwise. IfContinue reading “Grace and Coming to God”
Exploring Spirituality
Everyone, it seems, is interested in being spiritual (even many who don’t believe in God). Understanding what is meant by this isn’t always easy. Spirituality can be quite a fuzzy term. It’s not so fuzzy when it is used to indicate a deeper dimension that what is commonly associated with formal religious practice. Much ofContinue reading “Exploring Spirituality”
Dependence and Obedience
God is more interested in your dependence upon Him than your obedience to Him! This was tweeted out not too long ago. Like much of what bubbles up in the twitterverse, there was no context to nuance or qualify it—just a bare bones proclamation about what our Father is truly concerned with. And it’s my perceptionContinue reading “Dependence and Obedience”
Broken Bread and Crushed Grapes
One of the more interesting historical possibilities concerns how the Nobel Prize came into existence. Many people know that the prize is named after Alfred Nobel, a Swedish man who lived in the last half of the nineteenth century. He was a prolific inventor who earned over 350 patents. He had an element (Nobelium) named after him. And, thereContinue reading “Broken Bread and Crushed Grapes”
And What Gets You Out of Bed?
The Sabbath had been anything but a day of rest for Him who was its Lord! He had taught in the synagogue, casting an evil spirit out of one of the people there. Then He retreated to the home of Peter and Andrew where He healed Peter’s mother-in-law. After darkness set in there was a knock at the door—”theContinue reading “And What Gets You Out of Bed?”
True Power and Trusting God
When Jesus sends His disciples out to preach to the towns and villages, He tells them to “take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra shirt” (Luke 9:3). The text doesn’t tell us exactly how long they were to be gone but we are told they went “from village toContinue reading “True Power and Trusting God”
A Taste of Grace with Bruce Green 