Do I find envy a problem? Specifically, do I find envy of the rich a problem? Most references to the rich in the Bible, more accurately those referring to those who ‘trust in wealth,’ warn of the dangers of wealth. Solomon serves as a case study of where things can go wrong even when I start right. So if I …
Take Up Your Cross
Take Up Your Cross ‘Take up your cross’ is a central concept in practical Christianity and daily discipleship. And yet much of the time, I don’t wake up and start the day thinking, ‘take up your cross.’ Since I set the alarm for 3:00 am— a 6:00 am flight to Austin—I first tried to remember if I fixed the coffee …
Chief of Sinners
Chief of Sinners Paul describes himself as the chief of sinners. This also refers to an experience all maturing as disciples must go through. A day will come when all of us will think of ourselves as the chief of sinners. My stepfather, one of the top ten blessings in my life, and I agree on many things. As a …
Listen to God
Few Christians dispute the need to listen to God, but Oswald Chambers wrote in the February 12 writing of My Utmost for His Highest that we frequently do not listen to God. ‘We don’t consciously and deliberately disobey God—we simply don’t listen to Him.’ Rather than to listen to God, Chambers goes further to say we prefer to listen to …
Heaven
It is fitting that I write about heaven on a rainy grey day. Outside I see wet and grey and dreary, but I know that above the clouds, the sun shines brightly, a metaphor for life. Even if my life gives me the best circumstances possible, it pales in comparison to heaven. I don’t have many tangible descriptions in the Bible …
How to Pray, Prayer IV
So we’ve talked about our concept of God, believing is seeing, and what to pray for. I find that many people when they ask how to pray are looking for a structure or framework. Matthew 6:9-14 and Luke 11:2-4 are good frameworks or structures for how to pray. I’ve been practicing the ACTS method for so long, I don’t remember …
What Do I Pray For? Part 3
What do I pray for? As I write this I’m reflecting upon the recent dashing of some of my hopes and the recent loss of a friend to cancer who was a young father. So, do I still believe in prayer and intercessory prayer; do I pray for these things? Yes. Just because things don’t turn out the way that …
Consecrated Life or Distracted Life: Did Jesus Lie to Us?
Today’s reading in My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers combined with my daily readings in II Chronicles, Matthew, Psalms, and Proverbs convicted me deeply. To live the consecrated life instead of the distracted life, I must reflect upon Matthew 6:33-34, daily if necessary. Chambers writes for January 26: ‘Did Jesus Christ lie to us? Are we experiencing the “much …