Pursuing a holistic expression of Christian faith that is true to the Bible and applicable for today’s world.
The Twelve Step program, developed by Alcoholics Anonymous to help people struggling with alcohol addiction, has been extended to address a wide range of destructive, compulsive behaviors. Key applications include drugs, food, sex, gambling, and smoking. The Steps aptly apply to spiritual issues, too. Whatever the situation, be it a compulsion, a habit, a temptation, […]
Lately God has been prodding me through his Word and his Spirit to pursue a more holy lifestyle. To me, holy living means right living, what God calls righteousness. Sometimes I make progress towards fulfilling this call, but most times not so much. I’m okay with that; I’m on a journey and the important thing […]
A friend recently insulted me; he called me a theologian. What gall. I know he meant it as a compliment, but I was taken aback. To me, a theologian is someone who intellectualizes God, sucking all the life and vitality from who he is and turning him into something dry, boring, abstract, and inaccessible. I’ve […]
Most Christians Have a Worldly Perception of Themselves Instead of a Spiritual One We live in a physical world. As such, we are readily aware that we have a body. If we stop to contemplate it, we may admit to the possibility of having a soul, too—whatever that means. But what about a spirit? In […]
In addition to enjoying a dalliance with God, Margery Kempe’s intimate prayer time with the almighty God sometimes resulted in imagining herself participating in Biblical events. I do not know if this was a Holy Spirit inspired meditation or more akin to a vision. As one blessed with a vivid imagination, I can certainly understand […]
Another character in Chris Armstrong’s Patron Saints for Postmoderns is Margery Kempe. What intrigues me most about Margery is her deep connection with God. In describing her intimate prayer time, she often used the word “dalliance.” Now dalliance does not seem like a very Godly or holy word; it means “frivolous spending of time, dawdling, […]
I sat in a coffee shop with a new friend who had just begun to follow Jesus. As we talked about what that meant and how it intersected with life, he suddenly digressed, blurting out, “I don’t really get this whole deal about Jesus dying for my sins.” I knew the answer, but could I […]
I enjoy reading the spiritual exploits of those from an earlier era, a time when the spiritual journey was more gritty, vibrant, and real. It was dangerous—often with life or death ramifications. These experiences are far different from most modern-day followers, whose journeys usually pale in comparison, where risk is small and reward, minimal. One […]
I think that all things are spiritual, but I am quick to assert that not everything that is spiritual is good. Sometimes it is abundantly clear when something is spiritual but bad; other times it is not so obvious, while occasionally it can be quite confusing. As a foundation of understanding, I use the Bible […]
Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday Jesus! What is Christmas to you? What thoughts first come to mind? What happy memories does this season do you recall? To some people this special holiday means: You surely related to some things on this list, perhaps all of them. But what is Christmas to you? What does it […]