For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain… Philippians 1:21 It’s hard to read a letter like Philippians and not envision the passionate pleadings of Paul to anyone who will listen. Everything that happens in life—all the pain and agony, all the joys and happiness, all the loss and gain, all the good and bad—everything is for a purpose. It all has a rhyme and reason. Sometimes we are able to see it clearly, other times we catch but a glimpse from the periphery, and still there are times where we don’t see it all. Yet it is there, that one singular reason, that one great hope beyond … [Read more...] about Hallelujah—Jesus is My Life, a devotion on Philippians
Devotional Posts
Perverting Biblical Faith into Magical Religion
(I published this Monday over at sbcIMPACT. This is a subject I feel passionate about, so I decided to repost it here, for anyone who wanders by over the weekend.) Christians put their faith in a powerful, living God who works in and among his people in grace and strength. When we submit to him as Lord and seek his glory, his presence and power work among his people. Magic is the manipulation of spiritual forces to gain personal advantage – prosperity, fertility, forgiveness. They are not the same, but I think too many Christians treat their faith as just another form of magic – a … [Read more...] about Perverting Biblical Faith into Magical Religion
QUARRELING AMONGST US
IS IT POSSIBLE TO STOP IT? I talked with someone last week who was new to blogging. I noticed a comment he'd made in a stream where we Baptists were arguing and debating theology. He wrote that it seemed as though folks were talking past one another in order to make a point. I asked him to email me and he related, "Our intra-mural squabblings give us a bad name. It belies an intolerance below the surface that is neither Christ-like, nor good for the work of the kingdom." The apostle Peter said, "In your hearts set Christ apart as holy, as Lord. Always be ready to give a defense to … [Read more...] about QUARRELING AMONGST US
What I Learned from John Wesley
As I have mentioned briefly in the past, I worked as a Methodist youth pastor for a little over year and embraced Wesleyan theology for about a year before that. After much study and deliberation, I am now a charismatic, 5-point Calvinist Baptist. Quite the shift in theology, but I did retain some Wesleyan influence that I cannot refute or dismiss: Holiness - Though it is wrong to say that a Biblical understanding Eternal Security is a license to sin, it has been abused and excused by its adherents for centuries. Wesley would say that we should be holy partially because we could lose our … [Read more...] about What I Learned from John Wesley
Our Cloud of Witnesses
So I’m gearing up to preach on Hebrews 12:1-2 here in a couple of weeks…going to talk about how life is a race and like all races we have to endure. This is a race that takes us through the entire course of our lives and involves everything from the shape our character to our families and jobs to the people we impact and ends only when we come face to face with Jesus. It’s not a race about finishing first (as if we even could, having millions who have finished before we were even born), it’s not about being fast, it’s not even about being graceful (some of the most faithful people have … [Read more...] about Our Cloud of Witnesses
Blogging: Planting Seeds from Afar
I’ve thought a lot lately about the role I play or potentially could play as a Christian blogger. God has brought a decent amount of traffic and recognition to my blog, especially lately, and I always wonder the affect it has on those who read it. There are those who simply follow a link to my blog and are only on the site for less than a minute. Some are referred to an article I’ve written by another site, read it, and move along in a matter of minutes. There are some of you who have chosen to receive emails of anything posted here or at Modern March. Regardless of the amount of time someone … [Read more...] about Blogging: Planting Seeds from Afar
Am I Better Than You?
Have I always lived in perfect harmony with others? Have I never pointed a finger of judgment at another living soul? Have I looked at brothers and sisters in Christ with eyes of a merciful Savior or with judgmental eyes of man? When I stand before the judgment seat of Christ to give an account for what I have done in the body, will there be a single time I could be ashamed of myself? Have I completed every task? followed through on every commitment I ever made? Told the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth? Always? Do I keep secret the gifts of tithes and offerings I … [Read more...] about Am I Better Than You?
How Are You Known?
Today there are folks who know you. Some know you by the ministry you have in your particular area. Some know you as husband, wife, father, mother, friend. Still some may only know you by what you write, how you act and interact with others on the blogs. They only know you by your words, your behavior–your reputation. What do they know? How are you known? When I read the passage below from Romans, I paused and thought about what Paul is saying: “First, I thank God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because [the report of] your faith is made known to all the world and is commended … [Read more...] about How Are You Known?
From Doubting To Disciple Making
Most committed Southern Baptist could recite the Great Commission of Matthew 28:19-20 by heart. Jesus gave instructions to the disciples before He ascended to heaven about their task ahead and commanded them to go and make disciples in all the nations. Everyone knows this message in some way. It is a driving force behind the efforts of Southern Baptists to take the news of the gospel to every corner of the globe and every people that exists. But I am intrigued by the verses before this commission just as much. For instance, I am convinced that we should add verse eighteen to our … [Read more...] about From Doubting To Disciple Making
JUST FLESHING SOMETHING OUT
"It is the Spirit that gives life--He is the Life-giver; the flesh conveys no benefit whatever--there is no profit in it. The words that I have been speaking to you are spirit and life." John 6:63 Ever wonder if you are doing something in the flesh? Ever consider whether what you are doing, as you go about ministering in Jesus' name, is spirit driven or flesh driven? Sometimes I think we folks believe we are working with God in spirit but are doing so in the flesh. We pray with our minds focused on the horizontal effect--what God's answers will do for me and my church rather than Him and … [Read more...] about JUST FLESHING SOMETHING OUT