The View from the Religious Middle
We should not underestimate the power of a quiet, gentle resistance and being stalwart models of truth as we know it. This agnostic was finally won over, not by the hellfire preachers at my university or by laws restricting my life choices, but by the love and support of a single Christian whose life compelled me towards Christ. God broke in to my life—and nothing could shut him out.
The subtle sin of judgmentalism and how it works
Judgmentalism occurs when we elevate ourselves into the judgement seat and become critics of others–their words, their behavior, their omissions.
Probably no scripture is more misinterpreted than Matthew 7:1 which commands us not to judge lest we be judged. The obvious meaning is not to condemn people. The Lord Jesus is not calling on His disciples to tolerate anything and everything, or to use zero discernment. That would contradict half His teachings and violate all common sense.
I wondered about my motivation for ministry. Why was I envious of successful pastors? Why did I want our church to grow? Why did I want to see people come to Christ—for their freedom or so I could have a baptism service? Why did I want to write—to help others or to say I’d been published? Why was the church not growing – because of a weak marketing strategy, or because I wasn’t doing my job of loving others and making disciples? Sometimes the truth you need to hear to deal with your depression is depressing.
7 Ways to Create an Evangelistic Culture in Your Church
I wouldn’t evaluate this through the number of conversions reported by churches. That is solely the work of the Holy Spirit. Instead, I suggest we look at some key indicators of an evangelistic culture from Scripture.
One of the greatest evangelists in church history, the Apostle Paul, gives us seven characteristics of a local church with an evangelistic culture.
- Fear of critics
- Fear of failure
- Fear of power brokers
- Fear of failing to please
- Fear of change
- Fear of nitpickers
- Fear of finances
- Fear of others seeing weaknesses
- Fear of offending others
- Fear of success
Can You Actually Know God’s Purpose for Your Life?
Unfortunately, our overarching purpose in life seems to have little to do with our circumstances. God’s “mission statement,” of sorts, for our life doesn’t include a job title, graduate school—well, not directly.
It never starts with circumstances. It starts with His heart for all people.
Jeb Bush: Illegal Immigration Is Sometimes ‘an Act of Love’
“Someone who comes to our country because they couldn’t come legally … and they crossed the border because they had no other means to work, to be able to provide for their family, yes, they broke the law, but it’s not a felony,” Bush told Fox News. “It’s an act of love, it’s an act of commitment to your family.”
Ten Forgotten Ways to Teach Politeness to Children
I’m talking about helping our kids give a good impression wherever they go. After all, the Bible says that even a child is known by his actions. Not every day is going to be a rip roaring success when trying to teach our children politeness, but if we are consistent, we will eventually see them get it right more than they get it wrong. And, when they have successful and pleasant encounters with others, we are setting them up to be more successful in life. These ten skills will serve them well all through adulthood, too.
Values are the principles that influence and guide a team’s behavior. When and where they’re absent, self-interest reigns supreme. People begin to protect their own turf, putting their own power and privileges ahead of the well being of the team.
A team’s values are vulnerable to time, turnover, and growth. Leaders have to counteract each of these threats with a specific strategy in order to make sure their team’s values stay strong.
Why do we read fiction? I’m sure everyone has their own reasons. For Lewis, though, good fiction leads us out of ourselves and introduces us to worlds that we have not made, worlds that we cannot see on our own, the worlds that other people inhabit.
Five Things You Must Do Before You Ditch Your Old Gadgets
- Back that thang up!
- Wipe it down
- If you can’t wipe it, destroy it
- Recycle the right way
- Keep records