I’m doing some research on how the early church viewed itself in anticipation of the release later this year of a 20th anniversary edition of my book, Settlers or Sojourners?, and I found a great quote from Tertullian from the late 2nd century. His experience 150 years after the resurrection confirms what I saw in … More Finding Treasures in the 2nd Century
What Does Love for Jesus Really Look Like? There are probably a number of really good answers to that question. Short form answers include things like “an obedient life”, “a sacrificial life”, “a life lived in passionate pursuit of others”, “a gospel-centered life”, “a holy life”. No doubt all of these are valuable and revealing … More Hear the Story of an 8 year-old Boy Satisfied in Jesus.
There are times when our spiritual senses are so keen, so lambent and alive that our hearts can hardly be contained and tears drip down our cheeks as if a relief value had been opened to make it possible for us to survive the moment. Those times are rare. They are wonderful. And sometimes, they … More The Nearness of God, The Pain and the Sorrow and the Longing for More
There is no escaping obedience in the call of Christ. No amount of tears, or feelings, or bold proclamation can replace the sure and certain call that those who follow Christ are called to a lifetime of obedience to His will. We do life by His rules not ours. Many have pointed this way but … More Obedience and the Call to Follow Jesus
It is a classic text. Jesus is laying out the cost of discipleship for those who want to be his disciples. The crowds have gotten large. The bandwagon is growing. Crowds draw crowds. Crowds that would fill most division one basketball arenas are sitting on hillsides straining to hear every word He says. “Did you … More Cross-bought therefore Cross-shaped
This morning I was reading my copy of Pilgrim’s Progress and ran across a principle that I have seen in operation too much of late. “Christian” leaves a place of rest to continue on his journey to the celestial city. He descends a hill and in the valley below meets Apollyon (Satan) rising to do … More Pilgrims Progress and the Fear to Stand
Pray with me. “Lord Jesus, we can do nothing without You. We are so satiated with our comforts and toys, and games, and achievements, and power.We are so infatuated with new things, shiny things, beautiful things.We fail to take up our cross, we fail … More A Mid-day Prayer for Revival
“Whenever a man is praised it is meet for him to think about his sins and then consider, he should say ‘I am unworthy of the things that are said about me.” —Anonymous One of my professor colleagues at the seminary I taught at in California had a raw bluntness that cut through false modesty … More The Awkwardness of Praise and the Cancer it Feeds
As the sand trickles out of the hourglass of my life, I look at my shelfs with new thoughts. “These volumes have blessed and challenged me, how could I bless other with them now?” For a lot of different people, the answer to that question, has resulted in unexpected gifts to friends, neighbors and colleagues. … More Re-examining My Book Shelf
Two great Americans and two great quotes. “Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed in the things you didn’t do than the things that you did.” Mark Twain It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could … More Twain, Roosevelt and Us
ChosenRebel's Blog 