Before each worship service, my church has a brief prayer time before each worship service. The host, worship leader, singers, and preacher gather in a small circle to pray that the Holy Spirit will work in and through us, because we desire our worship services to be meaningful, formative. When we pray, there’s a passage ofContinue reading “Jesus’ most important parable/analogy? – John 15:1-10, Part 1”
Tag Archives: religion
What the “Lost” history of Christianity can teach us – John 15:1-10, Preview
One of most discouraging books I ever read is The Lost History of Christianity by Philip Jenkins. I found the book discouraging because it tells the sad story of the Christian church in places where the church started and thrived. The book’s subtitle says it all, “The Thousand-Year Golden Age of the Church in theContinue reading “What the “Lost” history of Christianity can teach us – John 15:1-10, Preview”
The important work of the Holy Spirit – John 14-16, Part 5
In the previous post, we learned about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, so that we can grow a closer relationship with the Spirit. But Jesus has more to say about the important work of the Spirit. Here’s what Jesus teaches in John 16, verses 8-11, “When he comes, he will proveContinue reading “The important work of the Holy Spirit – John 14-16, Part 5”
Growing a relationship with the Holy Spirit – John 14-16, Part 4
What does it mean to have a relationship with the Holy Spirit? The Spirit is invisible and how do you have a relationship with an invisible being? Are you supposed to hear something? Feel something? In John chapter 15, verses 26-27, Jesus describes a relationship with the Spirit like this: “When the Advocate comes, whomContinue reading “Growing a relationship with the Holy Spirit – John 14-16, Part 4”
When Jesus leaves us, we are not alone – John 14-16, Part 3
Judas has a question. (Not the bad Judas…this is the other Judas.) He’s been listening to Jesus talk about leaving them, about sending the Holy Spirit to be with them. Jesus has just said that he will show himself to his disciples, but not to the world. Judas is confused. He asks Jesus in JohnContinue reading “When Jesus leaves us, we are not alone – John 14-16, Part 3”
Why Jesus’ teaching “If you love me, obey me” is not gaslighting – John 14-16, Part 1
When I was in Bible College, I was in the college library one day reading Christianity Today magazine. It was the September 1994 issue, and in that issue an article really caught my attention. The title of the article is “Who’s Afraid of the Holy Spirit?” by Daniel Wallace, at the time a professor atContinue reading “Why Jesus’ teaching “If you love me, obey me” is not gaslighting – John 14-16, Part 1″
Are you afraid of the Holy Spirit? – John 14-16, Preview
Who’s afraid of the Holy Spirit? My guess is that most of us would say we are not afraid of the Holy Spirit. But I wonder if any of us might say that the Holy Spirit seems mysterious at best, distant or mute at worst. Some of us might say that we are uncomfortable withContinue reading “Are you afraid of the Holy Spirit? – John 14-16, Preview”
Do we have to pray “In Jesus’ name, Amen.”? – John 14:1-14, Part 5
In my 20+ years of professional ministry, I’ve had the occasion to pray publicly quite a bit. I tack this phrase onto the end of nearly all my prayers, “In Jesus’ name. Amen.” Maybe you pray that way too. Maybe you’ve heard other’s do so. Why do we pray that way? Do we need to?Continue reading “Do we have to pray “In Jesus’ name, Amen.”? – John 14:1-14, Part 5″
How you can do greater things than Jesus – John 14:1-14, Part 4
As Jesus describes how we he and his Father want to be at home with us, it seems the disciples are not fully getting it. In John 14, verse 8, we read, “Philip said, ‘Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.’” At that comment, I wonder if any of theContinue reading “How you can do greater things than Jesus – John 14:1-14, Part 4”
What to do when your faith feels stale – Jeremiah 48
The other day I pulled a bag of potato chips out of our pantry, looking forward to a snack. I dug around the chips, pulled out a handful and started munching. Ugh! They were stale. Soft, bland, tasteless chips. It’s the rare person that enjoys stale anything. What about your practice of faith, your discipleshipContinue reading “What to do when your faith feels stale – Jeremiah 48”
Engaging Scripture 