Most of us have the privilege in life of creating an environment around ourselves. The environment where we have influence may be very small – extending about as far as our own attitude – while others are responsible for creating…
Emotions and God
Did you know that it’s safe and even right to engage your emotions when you’re praying, worshiping, or just living out what Christ died for – so that you could have a relationship with God? I’ve heard so many people…
Good Qualities without Submission is Miserable
A few weeks ago, I wrote about how the Bible tells us to specifically clothe ourselves with certain virtues, qualities, and spiritual armor. It’s a great thing to put these on each day, both as protection and also as part…
Obsessing over Holy Things vs. Jesus
I was thinking yesterday about how various people and organizations tend to set up one or more Christian practices, commands, or gifts as extremely important. Some choose Biblical knowledge, fasting, healing the sick, evangelism, feeding or helping the poor, missionary…
All About Samaria
The other day, I realized that the maps in the back of the Bibles I typically use don’t bother to show the divided kingdom of Israel vs. Judah. That seemed like an oversight to me; after all, where were major…
Surrender Isn’t Giving Up
The more I intentionally walk out surrender in this Christian life, the more I realize that surrender isn’t really about giving things up. It’s how I’ve thought about the topic in the past – to lay down and abandon whatever…
Faithfulness and Purity
If we read through the Gospels – and really, through the entire Bible – we see that faithfulness is an important aspect of our faith. Jesus even said, “When the Son of man comes, will he find faithfulness on the…
8 Ways to Spot (and Recover From) Self-Dislike or Self-Hatred in Christians
As Christians, we have the opportunity to be the most identity-certain people in the world. We are sons and daughters of God (1 John 3:1, John 1:12, Hosea 1:10, Galatians 4:5, etc.), and so we have an anchor and an…
10 Ways to Grow in Trusting God
Trusting in God is one of the foundations of the Christian life. It’s extremely difficult to live in faith, surrender, love, obedience, or other parts of relationship with God if you don’t trust Him. But when you do trust –…
15 Things to Clothe Yourself
The New Testament contains several references where we are told to clothe ourselves. I’ve heard of people who intentionally put on the armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18). But I’ve heard of very few who take the other references to heart…