God is Love (Part One) – 1 John 3:11-18
We’ve been working our way through the NT book of 1 John – discovering as we go how to live in a world that claims to be “spiritual” – but not Christ-centered. 1 John’s entire message can be summed up in nine words: “God is LIGHT. God is LOVE. God is LIFE.” To this point …
The Test of Truth
Today we discover another test or “proof” found in 1 John – the test of Truth. 18 Dear children, the last hour is here. You have heard that the Antichrist is coming, and already many such antichrists have appeared. From this we know that the last hour has come. 19 These people left our churches, but they …
The Test of Spiritual Maturity
NOTE: Please know that this is not a quick read. It will take about 15-20 minutes. What comes to mind when you hear the words “spiritual maturity”? John Wimber wrote: “Many of us treat church life like immature adolescents. From other Christians we want thrills, constant exhilaration and to have our needs met. When Christian …
God is Light
NOTICE: Please know that this is not a quick read. It will take about 15-20 minutes. If you’ve just joined me in this series of blogs, we’re learning how to define “true spirituality.” It’s our response to the new age thinking that has saturated our culture. The so-called New Age has been around since the …
“Love, Fellowship & Joy”
NOTICE: Please know that this is not a quick read. It will take about 15-20 minutes. When Valerie & I first moved to Santa Cruz one of the things we often heard was how “spiritual” this area is. And after living here for the past seven years – I’d have to say I agree! All …
Spiritual Fathers
“I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven you for His name’s sake. I am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I have written to you, children, because …
Understanding Forbearance
Life can be quite difficult and frustrating when we’re faced with other people’s faults and character flaws, and worse yet with their insensitive and rude behavior. We all have preferred routines, ways of getting things done, different leadership styles – even God-given spiritual gifts, callings, and “anointings.” And yet they will without fail, at one …
Servant-Leaders
Recently I had a sobering conversation with a close friend who leads a ministry to fatherless boys. He recruits older men to assist these young men as they learn a practical life skill from an expert alongside other young men and their mentors. Developing mentor-leaders is an art. And it’s not an easy task. Young …
Where Have All the Good Men Gone?
The Apostle Paul penned some strong words about manhood to the church in ancient Greece, in the town of Corinth. Corinth was like the Las Vegas of its day. It was not a city to which a man would intentionally gravitate if he wanted to be influenced to become a person of high moral character. …
Something New & Something Old
Something NEW (e.g. “current”)… 2022 has been a monumental year – “the worst” according to many news journalists and pundits. In many ways it has been the fulfillment of the words of our Lord Jesus Christ in Matthew 24 where He gives us a prophetic explanation for the current condition of the world: “You will …
