When I knew Robert H. Schuller from afar I judged him negatively. I was writing a thesis paper on integrating Christian spirituality and psychology and I criticized the “Self-Esteem Theology” of the famous television preacher and author. A few months before I finished that paper and graduated from college I was shocked to learn on my…
This Holy Week let’s draw on Jesus’ empathy in new ways. You know that the last seven days of Christ’s life changed the world, but you may not have thought of them as filled with empathy for your pain and brokenness. Empathy is tuning into what someone else feels, validating the bigness of it, and expressing compassion.…
When you’re discouraged about your faults it can lead to shame. Instead look to Jesus’ hand of mercy. This excerpt from Francois Fenelon shows the way.
When I made a minor alteration on a marriage license I had to pay the price for second chances, but I didn’t let this judgment dampen the joy of our son’s wedding. Instead, I thanked God that Jesus paid he price for our sins!
Cuando estaba en la escuela primaria jugaba juegos de pelota en el recreo. Dos capitanes de pie miraban a un grupo de unos quince de nosotros para decidir quien estará en su equipo. Cada uno de ellos se turnaban escogiendo quien pensaban era el mejor jugador (o que les caía mejor). “¡Tu no… Tu no…
I often write about devotion to God, not because I’m devoted to God, but because I desire to be more so! I long to long for God more than I do. And I want this for you too. Yearning for God is how we grow spiritually. Of course, our desire for God doesn’t start with…
One of the most important spiritual exercises we can do is confessing our sins to God. To confess sin is to speak the truth to God and others that we have missed the mark of loving God and our neighbor in particular instances and that this tendency lives in us. Sins like unkindness, selfish ambition,…
Many Christians are stunted in their spiritual growth because they don’t understand or express their deep emotions and desires. As pastors, ministry leaders, caregivers, or parents we may get so busy or so focused on other people that we become disconnected from our own emotions and needs. But being self aware is crucial to our…
Yesterday on my Sabbath day I read a little book by the early 19th Century Scottish preacher Robert Murray McCheyne, The Deeper Life. He died at the young age of 29, but he brought many souls to Christ in his short life and his words continue do so nearly two centuries later. His simple reading…
El apóstol Pablo nos urge a “orar en todo tiempo” (1 de Tesalonicenses 5:17) . Para crecer en esta área debemos ir más allá de la oración consiente a oraciones corporales inconscientes con plena confianza en la plenitud del Espíritu Santo (por ejemplo comportamientos, actitudes y hábitos). Juan Wesley le llamo a esto a “vivir…