I once had a class in seminary where we were talking about how we are embodied souls, which is our topic on the blog this week, and the professor asked the class what we would consider to be the most important spiritual habit we should practice. Of course there are the common answers of prayerContinue reading “The most important spiritual habit? – Honest Advent Week 4, Part 4”
Tag Archives: Jesus
Does your body have a soul? – Honest Advent Week 4, Part 3
Does the body have a soul? Let’s talk about that. As we continue learning about embodiment during this fourth week of Advent, while we’re focusing on our physical or material side, what about the spiritual or immaterial side of humanity? Religion tends to emphasize the spiritual side. What we’ve been learning, though, is that ChristiansContinue reading “Does your body have a soul? – Honest Advent Week 4, Part 3”
Christianity is not a purely spiritual faith – Honest Advent Week 4, Part 1
Our is an embodied faith. The opposite of this is the view that says ours is a purely spiritual faith. But Christianity is not a purely spiritual faith. Does that sound odd or wrong? Let me say it again. Christianity is not a purely spiritual faith. Upon hearing that some might think, “What are youContinue reading “Christianity is not a purely spiritual faith – Honest Advent Week 4, Part 1”
The Crown and how to have love that endures – Honest Advent Week 2, Part 5
My wife, Michelle, and I recently watched season 4 of The Crown on Netflix, a show about the current monarchy in England. The more I watch that show, the more I think it should be called “The Marriage.” Most of the central story lines are deeply affected by the various marriages of the characters. NotContinue reading “The Crown and how to have love that endures – Honest Advent Week 2, Part 5”
For love to be love, it will cost you – Honest Advent Week 2, Part 4
I had a difficult time finding the picture above, the one with a man holding an umbrella for another guy. My difficulty didn’t have to do with the photo, but with the fact that I couldn’t figure out how to get the search algorithm to give me what I wanted. I use Unsplash for freeContinue reading “For love to be love, it will cost you – Honest Advent Week 2, 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 it means that “God is Love” – Honest Advent Week 2, Part 1
During Honest Advent we are looking at what gifts we can give Jesus. Last week we learned that one of the gifts he wants is our vulnerability. What we are starting to find in this Advent series is that the gifts Jesus wants are gifts that he first gave us. Think about how Jesus gaveContinue reading “What it means that “God is Love” – Honest Advent Week 2, Part 1″
Show vulnerability when you feel like an outsider – Honest Advent Week 1, Part 5
There’s one more story of vulnerability that I want us to learn from. Turn to Luke 19:1-9. At this point in the story of Jesus, he is on the way to Jerusalem where he will face his destiny. But Jesus is not quite there yet. He is passing through the nearby city of Jericho. CrowdsContinue reading “Show vulnerability when you feel like an outsider – Honest Advent Week 1, Part 5”
How to find power when you feel powerless – Honest Advent Week 1, Part 3
Being powerless is a terrible feeling, isn’t it? Do you know what I mean? It’s that helpless feeling when life is bulldozing you and there’s nothing you can do about it. In today’s post we find out a very powerful man became powerless in order to access true power, and how we can learn fromContinue reading “How to find power when you feel powerless – Honest Advent Week 1, Part 3”
Engaging Scripture 