A few ideas for applying the principle of sabbath, without legalism – Rest & Sabbath, Part 5

This week, I’ve been blogging about sabbath. While the New Testament does not teach that Sunday is the new sabbath day, Jesus teaches the sabbath principle for us in Matthew 11, verses 28-30, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you andContinue reading “A few ideas for applying the principle of sabbath, without legalism – Rest & Sabbath, Part 5”

How God speaks – 1st Samuel 2:12-4:1a, Part 5

How do we listen to God?  There are many ways. We listen through studying God’s word, the Scriptures.   God’s word is living and active, and he speaks through the Bible.  The Bible is inspired by God, which means that God’s Spirit was at work in the lives of the authors, so that when we readContinue reading “How God speaks – 1st Samuel 2:12-4:1a, Part 5”

What to do when praying seems difficult or impossible – Praying in the Spirit, Part 4

When my wife and I are sitting on the sofa in the evening, and she is talking, I will admit to you that sometimes I fall asleep.  Not good.  She is gracious.  Not necessarily happy about it.  But gracious.  I will also admit to you that when I practice meditative prayer, gazing on the beautyContinue reading “What to do when praying seems difficult or impossible – Praying in the Spirit, Part 4”

We can choose to have a vibrant relationship with God – Relationships: God, Part 6

There is a very real sense in which our relationship with our Trinitarian God is connected to the choices we make in life. That is true for all relationships.  The quality of the relationship is connected to the choices we make.  For example, we grow a closer relationship with God when we choose to followContinue reading “We can choose to have a vibrant relationship with God – Relationships: God, Part 6”

How to encounter the presence of God – Ezekiel 1, Part 5

We started this five-part series on Ezekiel 1 asking, “How long has it been since you encountered the presence of God?” Has it been a long time? Maybe you can’t say that you’ve ever experienced the manifest presence of God? We’ve been following the vision of Ezekiel 1, and so far Ezekiel has encountered fourContinue reading “How to encounter the presence of God – Ezekiel 1, Part 5”

How God really wants us to worship – Ecclesiastes 5:1-7, Part 5

What is awe-inspiring to you? I have never seen the Northern Lights, but I can imagine how the guy in the photo above would find them awe-inspiring. How about you? What causes you to have wonder and amazement? It is very common for us to declare that all manner of things are “awesome.” This weekContinue reading “How God really wants us to worship – Ecclesiastes 5:1-7, Part 5”