I'm not one who rigorously keeps up with the news, but the bit I know of current events is enough for me to feel the terror of a world in freefall. Senseless killings, blatant racism, moral wreckage, religious arrogance--the destruction never ends. As the creation crumbles into hopelessness; my own hopelessness wells from within. How can my …
My Church
“Tell me about the church you go to,” you say. The words hit me with an unexpected jolt; I realize that for the first time in my life, I do not see church as something I go to. If you're talking about connecting with other believers, church is so much bigger than a Sunday-morning event …
Misfit
"Are you going to fit the culture and be small inside, or are you going to be a misfit and unpack the treasure within you?" -Arthur Burk How does a culture grow smallness? American, Mennonite, or otherwise? What's the difference between cultural sensitivity and an unhealthy assimilation into a culture?
arranging our days
"You must arrange your days so that you are experiencing deep contentment, joy, and confidence in your everyday life with God." -Dallas Willard, quoted by John Ortberg in Soul Keeping How do you arrange your days so that your soul remains centered on God?
Hearing God’s Voice (Part 7 of 7): Hearing Within God’s Family
Some speak of the church as an institution, but I think of God's church as a family. When I refer to "God's family," I am not talking about your physical family, or even about your local church group, although I hope that those things are included in your Christian family. God's family is much bigger than …
Continue reading Hearing God’s Voice (Part 7 of 7): Hearing Within God’s Family
Hearing God’s Voice (Part 6 of 7): Telling Others What I Hear
Knowing when and how to share what we hear can be a tough part to navigate in our journey to hearing God. In this post, I would like to focus on three things that have helped me greatly. First of all, hearing God is not equivalent to having the permission to share what I hear. …
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Hearing God’s Voice (Part 5 of 7): Cultivating a Hearing Lifestyle
A key to cultivating a life of hearing God is to think about when you hear Him and make an effort to listen at those times. Not everyone will be the same, so this is not intended as a formula, but I am going to describe the times I hear Him best. -When I am …
Continue reading Hearing God’s Voice (Part 5 of 7): Cultivating a Hearing Lifestyle
Hearing God’s Voice (Part 4 of 7): Learning to Listen
"We do not need the sign-gifts today because inspiration and revelation have ceased with the death of the last apostle." Well! I laid aside the Sword and Trumpet magazine, and laughed. Inspiration and revelation have ceased! Where in the Bible does it say that? As long as humanity exists, we need inspiration and revelation from …
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Hearing God’s Voice (Part 3 of 7): What is Prophecy?
What do you imagine when you think of a prophet? A rheumy-eyed, wild-haired old man raging while spit dribbles down his long white beard? A preacher smacking his fist into the podium and declaring judgment on sinners? A church brother telling you in no uncertain terms that you are on the wrong track? Someone who …
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Hearing God’s Voice (Part 2 of 7): A God Who Communicates
Several years ago I sat in a class in which the teacher was expounding on the story of Gideon in Judges. As his talk went on, I found myself more and more perplexed with the interpretation of the story. Gideon was humble, the speaker said, that's why he didn't believe God when God called him …
Continue reading Hearing God’s Voice (Part 2 of 7): A God Who Communicates
arabah rejoice 