We live in a world of self-interest, committed to feeling better about ourselves or experiences that take our eyes off the state of our lives. How do we let go this futile thinking that only reinforces inner darkness? (Eph 4:17-19) I bless God every chance I get; my lungs expand with his praise. (Psalm 34:1 … Continue reading Way out of emptiness
The arguments I hold in my mind expose secondary issues that have supplanted my Father as the one to be worshipped. In Psalm 76 the Father restores perspective. 2 … his dwelling-place [is] in Zion. 3 There he broke the … weapons of war. Going to Zion, God’s dwelling, we find different priorities, there He … Continue reading Controversies and faith
Being nice has become a core value of our age. It is hard to argue against what superficially seems so good. Nice however is rooted in selfishness, with its fear of what people will think and its desire to be liked and gain influence over others. An example of the difference between nice and love … Continue reading Nice encounters Love
Living in our hurting world our tendency is either, throw ourselves at the problem, driven by the need, or to harden ourselves to the need and wait for God to resolve it Himself. Both these approaches stem from futile thinking and expose our darkened understanding. This darkness comes from a hardened heart that will not … Continue reading Driven or Complacent
When I am spiritually empty I get caught up with myself, and forget God. It is a strange emptiness coming either through abandoning routine times in the word and prayer or through intense activity and not having space to just BE with Him, even if I have not neglected the spiritual disciplines. Psalm 36:1 speaks … Continue reading Forgetting God
Many think of freedom as ‘Free from’; free from those who limit us; free from the rules that stop us having what we want. So we blame those who rule over us for keeping us from our desires. In our age however there is such freedom that when we can’t get what we want, the … Continue reading Freedom from whom?
One of the temptations of spiritual leadership is spiritual prostitution. Ezekiel 16:15-21 spells this out. He begins, “15 But you trusted in your beauty and used your fame to become a prostitute.” When Christ works in us he develops a spiritual beauty. This is seen both by those who are spiritual, and those who are … Continue reading Spiritual Prostitution
Who is willing and patient enough to engage with God in offensive spiritual warfare? Psalm 110 shows how. ‘Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.’ It begins with sitting at God’s right hand! Amazing! Instead of action, it is spent waiting with the Father in prayer. This … Continue reading Offensive Spiritual Warfare
Many are burdened and unable to carry either the great image ‘success and happiness’, or the great sacrifice, ‘being busy’ that are demanded by our culture. It is amazing how hard people work to present this image of everything being OK while in the worst recession of living memory. This unsustainable idolatry is rampant in … Continue reading Unsustainable idolatry
I see a need; my heart goes out to fulfil it, but sometimes I fail to stop and ask the big question: What is God doing here? Why is the Lord of the universe allowing the need to arise? Is it a means of sharpening this person’s character and his dependence on God? If that … Continue reading False Generosity
adaringfaith 