Leonard Ravenhill (June 18, 1907 – November 27, 1994 Ravenhill was an English Christian evangelist and author who focused on the subjects of prayer and revival. He is best known for challenging western evangelicalism (through his books and sermons) to compare itself to the early Christian Church as chronicled in the Book of Acts. (Wiki) In answer to … More The Challenge of Ravenhill
“If I were to ask you why you have believed in Christ, why you have become Christians, every man will answer truly, ‘For the sake of happiness.’” –Augustine
It is so easy to slip into discontent. It is so easy to be ingracious. It is so easy to refrain from giving thanks and to enjoy the blessings of the moment. And when we don’t enjoy these blessings, our discontent is path to an empty life. Our Declaration of Independence, a powerful and world-changing … More Murmuring and Being Content
Reading with the Pastor Matthew 24, Proverbs 24. and Psalm 24 Too much Starbucks coffee too late in the day, so now it is nearly 2 AM and my mind is wide awake. I’m learning not to resent or regret these mistakes in judgment. There is an undistractedness to these hours that lets the heart soar … More Just a Prayer Shouting Joy
Near the very end of his marvelous book, MERE CHRISTIANITY, C.S. Lewis gives an exhortation to believe in Christ that is a slap down of narcissism. Any age, but perhaps most particularly, our age, would be wise to think hard about his words. “Until you have given up your self to Him you will not … More C.S. Lewis on Narcissism
“Nothing is more repulsive than a life turned inward and focused only on its own joy.” Remember: Jesus said we gain our lives by losing our lives. Matthew 10:39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. Mark 8:35 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but … More Narcissism and the Pursuit of Happiness
I suppose every pastor has a certain number of “fear-dominated” parishioners. I’m thankful that in my current church there seems to be very few but I know the malady can be debilitating and destructive to gospel living. Christians ought not to be dominated by fear but by hope–an overwhelming hope, no matter what is or … More When Fear Threatens to Undo
Friday is for Heart Songs No affliction can extinguish our joy because Christmas joy led, in the fullness of time, to resurrection rejoicing. 2 Corinthians 6:3–10 (ESV) 3 We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, 4 but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: … More Affliction Cannot Extinguish Our Joy
Monday Reflection I love this post from my internet friend, insanitybytes22. I love her wit and I love her perspective on life. This particular post struck a chord in my soul. I too have a visceral distaste for whiners. But she is not just venting here. She is pointing us to the way of gratitude, to … More It’s Advent Season. Rejoice!
Monday is for Discussion “Jesus’s teaching consistently attracted the irreligious while offending the Bible-believing, religious people of his day. However, in the main, our churches today do not have this effect. The kind of outsiders Jesus attracted are not attracted to contemporary churches, even our most avant-garde ones. We tend to draw conservative, button-down, moralistic … More The Impossibility of Evangelical Witness
