Why are We to Bear Fruit? The Answer May Surprise You

We've all heard the verse where Jesus describes a good tree bearing good fruit. And we've all heard countless preachers, books, blog posts, and general conversations where the topic was this of bearing fruit. It seems many Christians today are consumed by the alleged need to bear fruit. In fact, there are also many who have...

Book Review: “The Pastor Has No Clothes!” by Jon Zens (Updated 8/16/11)

The modern office and role of the “pastor” (or minister, in some circles), has a fixed place in the minds and hearts of believers and unbelievers. Even the atheists and members of other religions recognize the pastorate as being a necessary fixture in the church. But does it have any Scriptural backing in the New...

Love Thy Neighbor…but how?

The Scriptures are very clear on one thing. There are so many things that can be debated and argued about in the Bible, but one thing can't be, and as far as I know, no one really does. That one things is what Jesus said in the Gospel records, Paul's epistles, John's and Peter's letters,...

Independently Dependent

As followers of Christ, we are both dependent and independent. We are also independently dependent. What do I mean by that? It's simple, really, but easily missed or forgotten. First and foremost we are completely dependent upon God (or at least we should be). I know for me, I can't seem to wake up in...

I’ve Had Enough of Myself

I've had enough. I've had enough of living for myself; living by my own life. Daily, we come up against two options. They are very much distinct, and very much the opposite of one another. The first is self. The natural tendency to get what I want above all the others; for every decision throughout...

What is the Lord After?

What is the Lord after in your life as an individual? What is He after in mine? This is the million dollar question in this present day-in-age. The answer is simple. It has never changed. Not once in human history has He diverged from this goal. Whether you are in community or not--an organic church,...

Lessons from the Cross

There is an age-old, eternal principle in the Kingdom of God. No one can escape it, avoid it, move around it, or even make it easier, though some people try. The principal is that of the cross. What I mean by the cross is what Jesus meant when He said, “Whoever wants to be my...

Not Feeling So Spiritual?

Seasons. They change. Summer to Fall, Fall to Winter, and Winter to Spring; all carrying their own significance in the process of creation. Nothing we do can stop these seasons from coming and going. Just as sure as the sun will set tonight, Spring will come in March (or May depending on your location). Changing...

The Glory of God and the Glory of Christ

glo·ry    [glawr-ee, glohr-ee] noun, plural -ries, adjective, verb, -ried, -ry·ing, interjection –noun 4.  resplendent beauty or magnificence Glory is essentially something at its greatest "magnificence." A flower that has fully bloomed would be considered in its glory. A big, bright, full moon would be in its glory. The peak of autumn, when all the leaves have...

Clarifying the Last Post: “The Wildness of Christ. The Wildness of His People.”

In my last post, The Wildness of Christ. The Wildness of His People, I made a few observations that need to be clarified and better explained. I feel a few may have taken it the wrong way or misunderstood my main point. So for the sake of those who may have misunderstood, or for those...