I hesitate to write this article for a variety of reasons:
The likelihood of offending brothers and sisters in Christ is great (though I do not wish to do so)
My views are contrary to the norm and may be used as fodder by enemies of the Cross to prove points I do not support
I am not [...]
Another infection that rears its ugly head in American Christendom is our tendency to define our faith by what we don’t do rather than what we do. “I don’t drink, I don’t chew, I don’t go out with girls who do.” I know, I know - this is an old saw and we’ve improved over [...]
Looking out for number one is almost ingrained in the American psyche. While there seems to be some leanings away from this ingrained mentality, the typical behavior points to self-infatuation still taking center-stage. I know - it’s no surprise - you encounter selfish people every day when driving, standing in line, whatever. Yeah… that’s nice, [...]
Austin has been hot lately - the 100s have been the norm for a good while now. Supposedly we’re about to have a turn for some relatively cooler weather. It’s amazing how easy it is to get excited about 92 when it’s been 102 or higher for what seems like weeks. In most parts north [...]
I’m the worst sinner I know. It’s true - I don’t know of anybody who is a greater sinner than I. Paul called himself “the chief of sinners” - I feel the same way. I know of nobody whose heart is as dark as my own. I know of nobody whose thoughts are as bereft [...]
Last night we were fortunate to have the Avila’s over for dinner and it was a wonderful time of fellowship, laughter, and prayer. What’s been so incredible in seeing this relationship bloom has been the shared vision that Veritas Fellowship and Soli Deo Gloria have for the city of Austin. We want the same things [...]
Yesterday’s post concerned the “Preface” (not the introduction… too many introductory sections in books these days). Today, I’m going to comment on the actual “Introduction” which is by the co-author, George Barna.
I struggle to comment on this introduction by Barna because, once again, I believe him to be sincere and, in no way do I [...]
In today’s church planting movement, almost everyone talks about “mission” and being “on-mission” and what it means to be “missional” or “relevant.” Mission is this really hip, and ultra-cool buzzword that, when used, evokes this sense of understanding in all those “in the know” that proves you are part of the in-crowd… one of the [...]
For my 15 minutes of quiet time tonight, I was led to do something I’d never done before… a listening prayer. With my notebook in my lap, I asked God for guidance in a specific area of my life where I felt I needed great help and then I waited and listened and then wrote [...]
Richard gave us a disciplines project where we evaluate where we currently stand in spiritual disciplines and try to develop a strategy for improvement. The exercise is to write down where we think we currently stand and then see if we can prayerfully come up with a strategy to improve and write that down as [...]
Hopefully, you see in these writings a man who is staying The Course and pursuing The Path amidst the pitfalls and selfish ways of being a son of Adam. I pray earnestly that my writing would encourage some of you by showing you that this journey - though arduous and sometimes tragic - is a journey of great satisfaction. A satisfaction greater than our greatest imaginings. The trials and refining fire of tribulation are to be recognized as a small shadow of the suffering of our Savior so that we can rejoice, as Peter and the disciples did, to be counted worthy to suffer for the sake of the Name.