Christian Living – Page 15

As a pastor I often mention that as Christians our lives should point to Jesus. Whatever we say, whatever we do, are our lives pointing to Him? At times life can seem so mundane and unspiritual. Yet we are called to shine the Light in the darkness, and that Light is Jesus.

So how do we do that? What parts of life point to Jesus? What does it look like from season to season, from good days to bad days, from solitude to spiritual community? Pastor and worship leader Darlene Zschech teaches us about these issues and more in her new devotional book, Revealing Jesus (Bethany House).

Continue reading “Book Review: “Revealing Jesus; A 365-Day Devotional” by Darlene Zschech” →

Christian Living, Church Life, Ministry

Will You Serve Even If You Aren’t Chosen To Lead?

May 31, 2013 Chris

Life in the church can be complicated. It is painfully obvious, even to the unchurched. It is perhaps one of the reasons so many will visit a church one Sunday morning and then never return.

The church can at times be most complicated to those who feel they have something to give. A woman buys leftover children’s ministry materials in a closeout sale. A young man feels gifted in music and wants to lead the congregation in worship. A businessman believes his savvy and experience should earn him a seat at the leadership table.

balancing apples

But what if the desired contributions and roles that these folks hope for never materialize? Or what if someone else’s contributions and gifts are chosen instead of theirs?

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Book Reviews

Book Review: “The Uncomfortable Church” by Dr. Lawrence Brice

May 21, 2013May 21, 2013 Chris

One of the largest issues embroiling our world and culture today has nothing to do with the environment, the economy or government scandals. Its importance strikes to the heart of the home, the family, the individual.

While it appears to be an administrative issue its core points to the legitimacy of existence. The hot-button issue of gay marriage is not just a referendum on the legality of a formal union between two people. The heart of the debate is not whether the union is acceptable, but whether the individual is.

The Church, of course, finds itself in a difficult position. At least, it should. How does the earthly representation of Jesus Christ love its neighbor while remaining committed to biblical principles? Is it even possible? With hopes of leading the Church along the best road, Dr. Lawrence writes to us about The Uncomfortable Church, asking in the subtitle, Can gays be reconciled to the Body of Christ?

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Bible, Christian Living

New Bible Study: The Baptism in the Holy Spirit

May 16, 2013 Chris

Earlier this year I led our church through a six-week study on the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. It is a highly volatile and misunderstood element of the Christian life.

This weekend is Pentecost Sunday. To help you with your questions about Pentecost and the Holy Spirit our study is now available as a free PDF download. Explore the promise of the Baptism, its arrival on Pentecost and its continual outpouring, tongues as the initial evidence and the roles of tongues as revealed in Paul’s writings, and more.

You can use the reader below, or you can view and download the document on Scribd.com.

View this document on Scribd

Book Reviews

Book Review: “Finding God in the Dark” by Ted Kluck & Ronnie Martin

April 30, 2013 Chris

Troubles. Pain. Heartache. Doubt. Darkness. We all face these situations, yet we never want to admit it. The closest members of our family might be in on the secret. The smiling faces and waiting handshakes at church rarely know.

And God … Well, we think God should know, and yet we wonder why He feels so absent. As tragedy unfolds in our lives He seems disinterested, living and operating far from where we hurt and struggle. Sometimes we push Him so far out of our lives that when we start to look for God He is not easily found.

Finding God in the Dark is written from these two standpoints. God seems or is distant, absent, unaware of or unmoving in our lives. How do we trust in Him during the difficult times? How do we point our lives back to Him when we have put ourselves in the way?

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Christian Living

Depression: It Could Happen To You

April 10, 2013April 10, 2013 Chris

I have to confess that when I heard about the loss of Matthew Warren, the son of pastor Rick Warren, my first response was not to comment on it. So many people identified with the tragedy that social media seemed set ablaze.

Like a brush fire in the dry prairie, it spreads and affects others over time. As life has a chance to slow down and as the input continues to be received, it triggers later responses. That is what this part of what this post is for me.

At the same time I want to share with you a collection of thoughts recently posted over the Internet by some Christian names that you might be familiar with, collected by Ed Stetzer of Lifeway Research.

Continue reading “Depression: It Could Happen To You” →