Workism, idolatry, and self-centeredness has been around since Genesis 3, but God’s story began before that. In disassociating with workism behaviors and returning humbly to the feet of Jesus, we can fix our eyes on Him, beholding His glory, and be transformed into His image.
While it may feel strange, working our butts off 24/7 is not the will of God. Rather, God wills to give us rest, peace, and provision as we seek Him. While we may choose to fight against God’s will when we take matters into our own hands, His desire is always to provide for us and to give us rest.
Getting older has its benefits. The hairline might be a bit thinner and the body may recover a little slower, but life experience has a way of paying some worthwhile dividends. You know stuff, not because you're more intelligent, but because you've just seen it...
Live faithfully where you are, and trust the leading of the Lord. He is faithful to lead us. When we live with the sincere desire to be obedient, and we have the wisdom of healthy community around us, we can move forward with confidence, knowing His plans for us are sure.
Most of us have been wired to separate our everyday work lives from our spiritual lives. Theologians call this the sacred/secular divide or Christian dualism, our instinct to see our everyday work as a less-than necessity of this temporal life that is separate from...
Being a neighbor means we engage in mutual friendship with those we encounter in everyday life. It means seeing people, not as evangelistic opportunities, but as people who contribute to good in our own lives. It means being fully present in the place God has set us and among the people, He has surrounded us with.
I have to confess, sometimes I really wrestle with fear. I have seasons where I wake up around 4am obsessing over some business problem or financial challenge, my mind unable to fully distinguish between what is real and what I'm only dreaming. Have you ever noticed...
Workism may drive us to the brink of collapse, but rest keeps us in touch with the healing power of God’s peace. Workism may exhort a striving for success, recognition, and more work, but the Bible exhorts us to strive to enter God’s rest.
Let me say something that might be a bit controversial in the 21st Century West where even some believers have begun to question the moral merits of evangelism: The Great Commission does not say “Go and do good things among all nations.” As a huge proponent of faith...
Fundraising. It’s an unavoidable aspect of missionary life. Some are stars at it, others hobble through as best they can, but all fundraising missionaries have one thing in common - they need good stories. When I was small, my dad pastored a small Assemblies of God...
This week we discuss the misconception that people of faith are always bold and irrational risk-takers. Erik shares a personal story about a partially developed property in southern Indiana that was foreclosed on by a bank. The property was being developed by Christian builders who had a vision but lacked the funds to complete the project. He emphasizes that faith and risk are not synonymous, but faith always requires obedience. Erik highlights the importance of discerning what God is saying and being obedient to His guidance. He concludes by encouraging listeners to consider whether they are being obedient to God’s calling, whether it requires taking a bold step or exercising the discipline of waiting.
What does it look like to be a strong leader? A decisive leader to step into conflict, to deal with difficult situations, and yet do it with the fruit of the spirit? With love, with joy, with peace, patience, kindness, goodness, with faithfulness, with gentleness, and with self-control?
John Crane discusses the topic of engaging as believers in the marketplace and the importance of humility in leadership. He highlights how power is not inherently bad but should be approached in a way that aligns with Christ’s example. John also shares his experiences in politics, including the challenges he faced during a special session and the importance of hope in difficult times. He emphasizes that success should not be measured solely by external factors but by the impact one has in their role. John’s focus on leadership development and his efforts to establish processes for onboarding new senators demonstrate his commitment to creating a positive and impactful culture within the Senate.