In the first post in this series, I asked you to consider the first five words that came to mind when you heard the word “Christmas”. In that post, I linked to some online articles that suggest the words most associated with Christmas. Those articles listed hundreds of words, but not the one word IContinue reading “How Christmas is all about love – Advent Love, Part 3”
Tag Archives: apostle john
Three tests to determine if teaching is true or false – Advent Love, Part 2
In the adjunct courses I teach, I require students to use quality sources to support their essays. But what is a quality source? I use words like “academic,” “peer-reviewed,” and “scholarly” to describe quality sources. I do not allow them to use blogs, church sermons, or devotional commentaries. If they are uncertain, I encourage themContinue reading “Three tests to determine if teaching is true or false – Advent Love, Part 2”
Why we need to see ourselves as links in a missional chain – John 13:18-38, Part 2
Leadership is lonely, or so some say. As a pastor since 2002, I have felt that loneliness from time to time. Frankly, some loneliness is self-imposed. “I can do it better myself,” we think. Or we don’t want to put in the work to involve others. Maybe we struggle to release our grip on aContinue reading “Why we need to see ourselves as links in a missional chain – John 13:18-38, Part 2”
The importance of belief – Gospel of John Intro, Part 4
John is not alone in telling the story of Jesus. The other three Gospel accounts of Jesus’ life have been published long before. Mark first, then Matthew and Luke soon after. They are all very similar to one another, so John decides to go in a different direction. There is nothing wrong with the otherContinue reading “The importance of belief – Gospel of John Intro, Part 4”
Examine how you love – Honest Advent Week 2, Part 3
Examine how you love. Do you know how to examine your love? Or do you just assume that you are good at loving? Have you ever thought about that? As we continue studying Honest Advent, we are learning what gifts Jesus wants us to give him for Christmas. Last week we learned to give him theContinue reading “Examine how you love – Honest Advent Week 2, Part 3”
How to know if you a truly a follower of Jesus – Honest Advent Week 2, Part 2
I was recently talking with someone about their spiritual journey. They said that they grew up in a Christian family, and they didn’t remember having what some people call a “moment of decision,” which is a distinct memory of their willful choice to believe in and give their lives to Jesus. You might hear someContinue reading “How to know if you a truly a follower of Jesus – Honest Advent Week 2, Part 2”
What’s more important: belief or action? – 3rd John, Part 4
As we continue studying the ancient letter of 3rd John, we read at the end of verse 6 that John writes his friend Gaius encouraging him to send some fellow Christians on their way in a manner worthy of God. In other words, he is saying to Gaius, “keep doing what you’re doing in supportingContinue reading “What’s more important: belief or action? – 3rd John, Part 4”
How to walk in truth (and find out if you aren’t) – 3rd John, Part 3
If you created an anonymous online survey asking your friends, family, co-workers and neighbors to describe your pattern of life, what would they say? What tendencies do you have? What comes to mind when they think about you? What impressions do the choices of your life make on the people around you? How do youContinue reading “How to walk in truth (and find out if you aren’t) – 3rd John, Part 3”
Engaging Scripture 