Posts from 2017 (Page 5)
What Christianity in China is Really Like
Interested in a one-stop article explaining the complexities and contradictions involved in describing the legality of the Christian church in China? Our article this week will help give you a balanced perspective. Read more…
The Shack
I don’t know if you’ve read The Shack. I haven’t, although many people have noted concerns with the views of God it expresses. With a movie of the book just having been released, I thought it would be helpful to post a review of another book by the same author which has also just been released. The book makes it clear that the concerns that have been raised about The Shack aren’t misunderstandings of the authors intent, but very deliberate…
The two things we must say about the transgender debate
“And let’s make sure we aren’t constantly in full-on culture warrior mode. We should empathise with those who genuinely feel threatened, scared, or all alone. Standing up for the truth doesn’t mean we have to say everything we think in every situation. It’s okay to be tactful, respectful, and even keep our mouths shut at times. Charging ahead with zeal is not an excuse for trampling over people.” Read more…
Grace-Paced Living in a Burnout Culture
“Although no two burnouts are the same, as I’ve counselled increasing numbers of Christians through burnout, I’ve noticed that most of them have one thing in common: there’s a deficit of grace. It’s not that they don’t believe in grace. Many of them are well-grounded in “the doctrines of grace.” Many of them are pastors and preach grace powerfully every week. The “five solas” and the “five points” are their theological meat and drink. Yet grace is missing in five…
Kindness that comes too late
“I’m sure I speak for other weary toilers when I say this: If my friends have alabaster jars of encouragement and affection that they intend to break over my dead body, I’d be grateful if they would bring them out on one of my weary days and open them then. I would rather have a coffin without a flower and a funeral without a eulogy than a life without the love and encouragement of friends.” Read more…
Burnout
There are many Christians who are in no risk of burnout whatsoever. They don’t overly invest themselves in the life of the church or other people, they are not given to being at every meeting or event that is put on, they seldom volunteer and they don’t go out of their way to take on extra responsibility. To be honest, they’re not that committed. But for the host of Christians who are not like that, the Christian life can at…
Emptying Ourselves
We were made to lose ourselves but not by being identical to the Lord or anonymous to other people. We were created to walk with them, fit with them, complement and love them. Faith itself is relational engagement in which we know and respond to Jesus. And, when faith and love are animated in our relationships, we look more unique, more full of life because this is God’s intent for us and this is how the Spirit of God works…
Inconvenienced by Inconvience
“It is my hope that people feel they can invite themselves over to my home. I hope they feel that I am willing and eager to use my gifts and talents and time to bless them in whatever way I can. I hope people see that my house and my home and my life have an open door.” Read more…