Last time I talked about the value of community and small groups. I have started a few small groups over the years and have learned a thing or two. Here are my tips for starting your own small group. 1.Find one other person - No one said that your small group had to be bursting with... Continue Reading →
Community Injects Spiritual Growth With Life
Yesterday, I met three other guys at a Starbucks to talk about life, God's word, and anything else that popped into our heads. Two of us have had seminary training but one has only been a believer for a short time. Refreshingly, no debates broke out. No one felt like they had cornered the market... Continue Reading →
Is There Help With This Change Stuff?
I often have been confused by the role and responsibility of the Holy Spirit in spiritual growth. One book that helped clarify this for me was James Bryan Smith's Good and Beautiful God. In it he presents a model of four components to life change - personal narrative (the way we think), spiritual disciplines, community,... Continue Reading →
5 Ways To Control Your Thought Life
My last post was on the importance of thinking about God. Today, I offer up five exercises that can help you turn your distracted mind into one that regularly thinks on God. 1. Count Your Breaths - Distracting thoughts are like a buzzing mosquito that keeps flying around your head. You try to ignore it... Continue Reading →
The Essential Need To Change Your Mind
As we pursue doable spiritual formation, one of the first places we start is with our minds. I used to think that hard work and determination was the only path to change. I used to think that I didn't need Jesus to be Lord of my life, just a helpful resource in times of need.... Continue Reading →
Inside Out
Now that we know who our teacher is we have to watch out for a major pitfall - trying to do what Jesus says. Our goal is not to try but to train ourselves to become like Jesus. This is the power of off-the-spot training (spiritual disciplines) that reorients our lives and begins to work... Continue Reading →
Becoming A Student of Jesus
Considering the last post, I wanted to move forward in paths toward growth in Christlikeness. The first step is becoming a student of Jesus. We are students of many things and many people but are we a student of Jesus? Do we read scripture and learn from Jesus how to live? Do we pray and... Continue Reading →
One Thing
What is your one thing? I have thought a lot about what this blog's one thing should be. What is one message that I would like to get across to whoever happens to find my blog? I am not a theologian so I would fail if I tried to argue doctrine and the like. I am... Continue Reading →
Is Jesus Lord Of Your Life?
All of my talk about spiritual disciplines may give the impression that these are requirements for righteousness. Spiritual disciplines serve only one purpose - to assist in making Jesus Lord of your life. What spiritual discipline can best focus your mind and heart on the Lordship of Jesus? For me, right now, it is the... Continue Reading →
Christian Life Hacker – 23 Things
Here is the entire list of the 23 Things. I hope you discovered some new practices and ideas that you hadn't been exposed to before. Feel free to share the 23 Things with your small groups and disciple groups. Congratulations to Cary Jester who commented on the most items and wins the free book. Thanks... Continue Reading →
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