https://open.spotify.com/episode/0xrOG4F66PVG1dACKx8bdQ?si=UXPW-m8gTCCNvzm8cm49IA If we’re going to be the people God wants us to be in the Kingdom of God and to function as agents of hope and blessing in the world, we’ve got to be different people. God needs to transform us. And we've talked a bit about the role of the Spirit in transformation, and … Continue reading TJS Podcast – Growing in Intimacy with God: Does God Talk to Us? (Episode 11)
spirituality
God’s Spiritual Roadmap
God has two primary goals for us, and both of them start with the gospel. According to the apostle Paul, the gospel is the power of God for salvation (Rom. 1:16). In practice, the power of God in the gospel accomplishes two things: 1) The gospel is the message of salvation from sin through Christ’s … Continue reading God’s Spiritual Roadmap
Ron’s Five Immutable Laws of the Christian Faith
There is an awful lot of thought and talk and hand-wringing today about what's wrong with our churches and why church attendance is in decline in America. In my view many of these discussions are focused on the wrong things. So in an attempt to bring something meaningful to the discussion, I've distilled much of … Continue reading Ron’s Five Immutable Laws of the Christian Faith
Christianity and Sound Doctrine
In Christianity, we are often fond of talking about the importance of adhering to “sound doctrine,” a biblical concept to be sure (1 Tim. 4:6; 2 Tim. 4:3; Tit. 1:9; 2:1, NASB). Unfortunately, we often regard the word “sound” to be synonymous with the word “correct.” While I would certainly advocate correct doctrine over incorrect … Continue reading Christianity and Sound Doctrine
A People of the Book or a People of God?
I believe the Bible is an essential part of the Christian life. In fact, I believe it is impossible to completely know God without scripture. I believe scripture is an inspired and inspirational book. Not surprisingly, I’ve lived most of my life as part of a religious tradition that places a high emphasis on scripture. … Continue reading A People of the Book or a People of God?
The Road Back to Church – The Relentless Power of Grace
When I eventually left the Hermitage Church of Christ to move to Texas to go to preaching school, the congregation threw me a party. Along with his family, Sperry Hogue, the minister at the church, put together a video in which they went around and talked to almost everyone at the church and gave them … Continue reading The Road Back to Church – The Relentless Power of Grace
The Road Back to Church – Old Life/New Life
In 1987 I packed up my little blue Volkswagen Rabbit with my meager worldly possessions and moved to Montana. Well, I spent the summer in Washington state first. I’d been granted a small stipend through the Student Conservation Association to work on a U.S. Forest Service trail maintenance crew in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest … Continue reading The Road Back to Church – Old Life/New Life
God’s Wilds
I recently read an article by Gretchen Reynolds on one of the New York Times' blogs entitled "How Walking in Nature Changes the Brain." I'd encourage you to pause here and go read it. I'll wait. It's good, huh? But while I can't really say I've ever wondered how, specifically, walking in nature changes the … Continue reading God’s Wilds
God in Everyday Life
I've been thinking more over the last week about the idea that God seeks to transform us within the context of our own lives. I think this is an important point and deserves a bit more discussion. God speaks to you and seeks to transform you from within your own context; in other words, through … Continue reading God in Everyday Life
Examining Examen
"Discernment in its fullest takes a practiced heart, fine-tuned to hear the Word of God and the single-mindedness to follow that word in love. It is truly a gift from God, but not one dropped from the skies fully formed. It is a gift cultivated by a prayerful life and the search for self-knowledge." - … Continue reading Examining Examen
The Jesus Society 