Devoted
Devotion is a word we hear often. We hear it in love songs and in references to early morning times with the Lord. To be devoted is to be loyal and dedicated to some cause or to a person. Stories…
Tag devotion
What is Experiential Christianity?
What is “experiential” Christianity? Today, this phrase is often confused with emotionalism, mysticism, or frenzied excitement, something like sentimentality detached from the intellect or the Scriptures. Many of us are used to the extremes of the charismatic movement,…
Some Reflections on Ministerial Burnout
One of the most disinteresting comments that can come from a pastor’s mouth when asked how he’s doing is, “I’m so busy.” It is not only disinteresting, but if he has a habit of saying that each time he’s asked…
Applying the Beatitudes
The Beatitudes, according to Matthew, mark the beginning of Jesus’ public teaching ministry. They are the first things that Jesus emphasized as he proclaimed the Gospel of the Kingdom. Unlike Moses at Mount Sinai, Jesus began his Sermon on the…
Sobriety and the Gospel
In my previous post, I discussed how patience (along with the closely-related virtues of endurance and perseverance) is one of the most valuable Christian virtues in connection to Christian maturity. However, there is another virtue of the Christian life which,…
Patience and Maturity
Over the past several months, I’ve taken a break from regular writing and blogging because I’ve been pondering the importance of Christian maturity. The apostle Paul himself stated that one of the central goals of his ministry was to “present…
Praying Through the Scriptures: Acts 7
Over the years it has been my practice, learned from others, to offer up praises and petitions framed by a passage of Scripture. Some of these passages were read in preparation for preaching, others offered material for meditation in daily…