We often ask for renewal and pray for revival, but we seldom think of the cost. Renewal and revival are painful processes, especially to those who are committed to the status qu...
read moreThese are familiar opening words “In the Beginning. . .,” but there is a sudden twist “. . . was the word.” John whipsaws our attention between the pages...
read moreHow is the Christ community different than other groups? If we are to be an alternative community and story to the community and story of the world, how are we doing? Do we real...
read moreThe Greek word for witness is “martyr.” Through church history the word came to mean someone who suffers and dies for their faith. This reminds us that those who proclaim Jesus ...
read moreThose who are called to be prophets within the church are given the responsibility to speak words that are given to them from God for the building up of the body. Those who have...
read moreGod cannot be stopped in his good purposes for his whole creation. The mystery of the gospel is that God uses our own rejection and death as the means of our redemption and salv...
read moreWhat is hope? A clear vision of a better future. Why is hope important? Without it we would despair and not move forward. God, out of his love for us, gives to us a vision of ou...
read moreWe’re all familiar with love songs today. And, we are familiar with songs of love lost or broken. But those too are love songs. Those are songs of love gone wrong; love unfulfil...
read moreIs the God of Israel the God of the Jews only? Are the nations excluded from God’s covenant? Is Jesus’s death and resurrection only for some or for all? The creator God’s desire...
read moreLeadership is about positive influence. As Jesus steps into the public spot light he shows us the importance of openly listening to women and responding to their influence. Mary...
read moreDiscipleship to Jesus is costly, it’s extreme and it’s not to be entered into lightly. Are we ready to reorganize our lives around the kingdom? Will we go the distance and face ...
read moreCan we safely reorganize our lives around the kingdom of God that is present in Jesus Christ? Don’t we need to be wise and “help ourselves?” There is a tension that has to be me...
read more“Fool” is a biblical term and category. It is the title given to the person who behaves as if there were no God or like God cannot see or like God will not judge. That person is...
read moreThe parable of the good Samaritan is a story about movement: a man was going down, robbers appear, a priest is also going down, then a Levite, then a Samaritan. We see movement ...
read moreThe gift of tongues is both a public and private gift. Publicly it is used in worship and is accompanied by an interpretation for the building up of the body. Privately it is us...
read moreThe gift of discernment is essential when the church opens itself up to prophesy. Those with the gift of discernment are able to discern true prophecy from false and the source ...
read moreThe gift of prophesy is distinct from teaching and exhortation. It is a specific word from the Lord for a particular situation. It can be for an individual or the whole communit...
read moreThere is overlap of the gift of miracles (or of power) with faith and healing. However, often miracles of power involve nature such as the stilling of the wind or the ceasing of...
read moreThe gift, or gifts of healing are given to some to demonstrate God’s love for his people. It can also act as a sign, confirming the witness of the church. When God heals through...
read moreAll those who have put their trust in Christ Jesus have received the faith from God to do so. However, Scripture speaks of a special gift of faith that is given only to some. Th...
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