-
10 Differences Between Leaders & Cheerleaders
Philip Nation distinguishes the difference between genuine leaders and cheerleaders, or what he calls the difference between those in leadership positions who use buzzwords and those who actually lead. Think for a moment about this vital distinction: I think that a key facet of leadership is knowing the difference between a strategy and a collection…
-
6 Gospel Aspects
As I teach and preach – and even talk to people – it is not uncommon for someone to ask for clarification of what I mean when I casually and frequently use the term “gospel”. For some the word has very little meaning. Folks are confused, wondering if it is a style of music, a…
-
Wings
This video, shared with me by my colleague Camper Mundy, reflects a sad commentary about the shallow consumerism of our society.
-
Fascinations that Lead Away from the Cross
by Michael Horton Martin Luther opposed the “theology of the cross” to all “theologies of glory.” The latter can be generally placed into three categories: three types of “ladders” we try to climb in order to see “God in the nude,” as Luther put it. These ladders were mysticism, speculation, and merit. I would like…
-
11 Indicator Lights of Spiritual Condiditon
In my old Jeep it is not uncommon for one of the indicator lights to flash on. Sometimes more than one may illumine. Whenever this occurs it is an indication that there may be a problem. Because it is an old Jeep, some lights pop on more frequently than others – often enough that it…
-
8 Questions to Diagnose Your Leadership
In his booklet, Leadership: How to Guide Others with Integrity, Stephen Viars asks these instructive, recalibrating questions: Do people understand more of God’s mercy because of the way I respond to their mistakes? Do people understand more of God’s holiness because of my high ethical standards? Do people understand more of God’s patience because of the time I give to grow and develop? Do people…
-
Gospel-centered Church
At Grace Covenant we talk a lot about being gospel-centered as a church, and we encourage gospel-centered living among our people. From time to time we get asked by our newcomers, “What exactly does that mean? What does it look like?” Here is a brief explanation. The Gospel Before we jump into gospel-centeredness we need to…
-
Getting Through Challenges to Missional Community
As we have been encouraging the small groups in our church to add a more intentional outward face, I thought I would post this piece by Jonathan Dodson that provides a solid three-legged-base counsel concerning missional communities – which is what small groups embracing an outward face are in transition toward becomming. *** The popularity of missional community is…
-
Gospel Warning Signs
Noted 19th Century Anglican Bishop J.C. Ryle offers a handful of warnings about counterfeiting the gospel: 1. Substitute anything for Christ, and the Gospel is totally spoiled! 2. Add anything to Christ, and the Gospel ceases to be a pure Gospel! 3. Put anything between a person and Christ, and that person will neglect Christ…
-
Western Theology
There are two visions of life, two kinds of people. The first see life as a possession to be carefully guarded. They are called settlers. The second see life as a wild, fantastic, explosive gift. They are called pioneers. These two types give rise to two kinds of theology: Settler Theology and Pioneer Theology. According…
-
Inebriated by the Gospel
Great grace laced imagery from Robert Capon: The Reformation was a time when men went blind, staggering drunk because they had discovered, in the dusty basement of late medievilism, a whole cellarful of fifteen-hundred-year-old, two-hundred-proof grace – of bottle after bottle of pure distillate of Scripture, one sip of which would convince anyone that God…
-
Balance of Faith
A true, vibrant Christian faith is someting akin to a balancing act. In a post this morning, Tim Keller suggested: If we are going to grow in grace, we must stay aware of being both sinners and also loved children in Christ. Keller’s paradigm reminded me of something Edward Payson – “Praying Payson of Portland”…
-
6 Tips for God’s People in Response to a Culture Changed by Court Decree
While I do not want to become one of those guys who perpetually toots out only one tune, and I certainly do not want to make gay marriage or homosexuality the priamary notes of that tune, I do want to follow up yesterdays post with another reflecting on appropriate responses to the Supreme Court rulings yesterday. …
-
Prop 8, DOMA, and the Unchanging God
In light of the two U.S. Supreme Court decisions today, I was reminded of something my friend Mike Milton wrote that is pertinent to the issues related to these rulings. Here is what Mike wrote: When the rats begin to scramble on board the ship, it is a sure sign that the boat is sinking.…
-
Subscribe
Subscribed
Have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
