One of the primary questions people ask about Christianity is whether it produces actual outcomes: whether it makes a real difference to their lives. We know that Jesus is God’s son, that he died and rose again, that he rules the universe, and that he is returning to complete his restoration of all things. But [...]
Archive for the ‘Struggle’ Category
Will God really protect me?
Posted in Christian faith, Christian Living, Comfort, Devotional Readings, Discipleship, Jesus, Mission, Presence, Refuge, Relationship, Spirituality, Struggle, Trials on February 21, 2012 | Leave a Comment »
Following and Sacrifice
Posted in Christian faith, Christian Living, Comfort, Devotional Readings, Discipleship, Grace, Incarnation, Jesus, Mission, Presence, Reformed Theology, Relationship, Spirituality, Struggle, Transformation, Trials, Worldview, worship on January 11, 2012 | 3 Comments »
At first thought, following Jesus seems easy. It seems a matter of changing your mind about who Jesus is, recognising and accepting him as Saviour, and acknowledging him as King and Ruler. I suppose it is easy, relatively speaking, to see ‘following Jesus’ as a ‘decision’. Western Christianity often focuses on people making ‘decisions’ to [...]
Why you (still) need the church…
Posted in Christian faith, Church, Church systems, Comfort, Devotional Readings, Family, Grace, Healthy Churches, Opposition, Popularity, Preaching, Reformed Theology, Spirituality, Struggle, Teachers, Trials, worship, tagged community, Love, Neighourhood, Spiritual Gifts on June 24, 2011 | 2 Comments »
(Apologies that my posts have been a little irregular these last weeks. Leonie and I have visited a few churches, as well as ReCharge – The CRCA pastor’s conference, we have considered a few calls from churches, we’ve decided to accept a call to Gateway CRC, and this last week we’ve out our house on [...]
A Straight Line with a Crooked Stick: How God works in broken people like us
Posted in Christian faith, Comfort, Devotional Readings, Election, Grace, Presence, Reformed Theology, Spirituality, Struggle, Trials, tagged Anointed, Messiah, Sovereignty on May 31, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
Read Isaiah 45:1-11 The Old Testament tells us that certain special leaders were anointed with oil: prophets, priests, and kings. In addition to that sort of ‘anointing’ we read passages that refer to a coming ‘anointed one’, God’s promised Messiah (see Ps 72:8, Ps 18:44-48). This promised Messiah is the one whom the New Testament [...]
The Interference of Self
Posted in Christian faith, Devotional Readings, Grace, Opposition, Popularity, Presence, Relationship, Spirituality, Struggle, Trials, tagged Fear, Love, Procrastination, Self, Selfishness on May 26, 2011 | 1 Comment »
Read: Heb 13:1-6 Sometimes when I am met by a need or a context where I know I should move forward and respond, I push back and either procrastinate or simply turn away. Why do I do that? Is it fear that my incompetence might be exposed Is it a sense that I might not [...]
Not much to look at…
Posted in Christian faith, Devotional Readings, Grace, Opposition, Pastors, Popularity, Preaching, Presence, Relationship, Spirituality, Struggle, Trials, tagged inferiority, powerlessness, Weakness on May 21, 2011 | 2 Comments »
Read: 2 Cor 4 I don’t like being weak, and I certainly don’t like being perceived as weak. So I engage in the stupidity of covering up. It is a clumsy attempt to project some other reality, one of relative strength and having it together. I think I shortchange God when I do this. Paul [...]
It’s tough, but…
Posted in Christian faith, Church, Devotional Readings, Grace, Opposition, Spirituality, Struggle, Trials, tagged Discontent, Opposition, struggle on May 13, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
Read: Acts 18:5-11 Paul encounters great opposition as he preaches the Gospel in Corinth (18:5-6). In the context of this abuse, the Lord spoke to Paul and said “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because [...]
What I am doing- DaveGroenenboom: Because of Jesus, we have a different story to tell: one where the destination determines how we do the journey February 25, 2012
- DaveGroenenboom: If your life is seen as a story, what are the major themes? Is it all about the journey, or is the destination Important? February 25, 2012
- DaveGroenenboom: It seems Labor has to choose between a leader who cannot win and a leader the party cannot love #respill February 25, 2012
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