"The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of ... read more
Spiritual Gifts: Instrumental in Church Life, Not an Afterthought
A few thoughts on spiritual gifts: Given by God’s Spirit “God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will” (Hebrews 2:4). “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of ... read more
No Room for Selfishness
The spiritual life is first of all about Jesus Christ, and because it's about him, it's also about his body, the Church, of which He is the head. “So in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others” (Romans 12:5). Here’s a sobering thought: within the church, you ... read more
Church Language: Don’t Tarnish the Bride
I’ve never felt more beautiful in my life than when I walked down the aisle at my wedding. My husband’s eyes shone so much I could see them from the end of the aisle—in candlelight. But honestly, more than the love-struck eyes, I loved my dress, a simple streamlined design. Rouching gathered behind ... read more
Church Language: “I” am not the Church, “we” are
A man can climb Everest alone. A strong man can lift a car alone. A woman can give birth alone. And in 2003 we learned that a trapped man can saw off his arm with a pocket knife—alone. Some cultures have a rite of passage ritual where a young boy goes out into the wilderness, alone, and returns a ... read more
Playground of Grace
The church is full of . . . (do you know what comes next?) hypocrites. Have you heard this complaint? Maybe you’ve uttered it after being discouraged by a church members sin. It’s true, in one sense. People sin. Unsaved people, and saved people. We can’t get away from sin, even in the Church. None ... read more
When the Church Sins
Sometimes sin is corporate. It’s not hypocrites in the Church; it’s a hypocritical Church. We present ourselves in one way—we tout a religion of love, joy, and peace—but act in another. First, let’s clarify: God has always had a remnant, a group of people, no matter how small, who remain true to ... read more