How about we live as aliens in this land? How about we lose ourselves to find our true calling? Let’s provide for our families and selves in a less lavish and more purposeful way. Jesus is worth it and you will find out soon enough.

May 27, 2017 • Biblical Thinking

Consumed Generation

We live in a consumed age. Those from the city busy themselves with nightlife and high-stress careers. Simpler folk from Rural Town, USA gorge themselves with fishing trips and fried foods. Introverts take to their books and movies; hardly ever looking up. Extroverts plan for parties and dinners. Men with sports and ladies with fashion.

Generalities, yes, but the picture is sure. Every ounce of our American culture has taken on various forms of self-indulgent behaviors and habits. We are consumed with our desires and sooner or later wake up realizing the slaves that we’ve become. Continue Reading

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January 22, 2017 • Biblical Thinking

Pray for Faith. It will be Answered

Asking for more faith is a prayer that’s not outrageous. It’s been answered before.

Biblical Manhood and Womanhood 50 Crucial Questions Piper and Grudem

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January 19, 2017 • Biblical Thinking

50 Questions on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood – eBook Resource

I stumbled across this refreshingly nuanced explanation and defense of Biblical Manhood and Womanhood. In a day and age where the Bible is taken less and less seriously (most notably among Christians!) it is of utmost importance that we think deeply and dialogue well with people and culture. God has always spoke to His people but we don’t listen all that well or often.

50 Crucial Questions is a short read going over many of the questions that come up when talking about this subject. It is both thorough and concise. Something that I’ve grown to enjoy about Piper and Grudem.

The issue we face in this book is how men and women should relate to each other according to the Bible. We are concerned especially with how they relate in the home and in the church. The position we take affirms the complementary differences between men and women and spells out the implications of those differences for the way men and women relate to each other in the most fulfilling way.

We defend what Larry Crabb calls “enjoying the difference,” namely, that “the sexes are distinct in what they were fundamen- tally designed to give and in what brings them the greatest joy in relationship. . . . At the deepest level, a man serves a woman differently than a woman serves a man.”

Oh My God. We've gotten in trouble for saying that. But, it's just a word. Isn't it?

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January 17, 2017 • Biblical Thinking

‘Oh My God’ It’s just a word

Imagine you’re one of the teenagers running around the church at the tail end of a potluck. Your mom is picking up the last of your families contribution to the holy banquet and your dad is talking shop to some of the guys on the worship team. You look back over and your mom needs some help carrying the casserole to the car. You roll your eyes. Only a few more minutes to hang out with friends and now you have to clean up after the grown ups, great.

You take what you can, but you missed something. “Honey, can you grab the umbrella we brought in this morning too?” mom says in the distance. You keep walking; pretending not to hear. She speaks a little louder. You turn around, “Oh my God mom, give me a second.”

Suddenly, your moment of teen rebellion hits a high note. You’re getting stares from the old church ladies. They roll their own eyes and mumble something about using The Lord’s name in vain. Really? Is that really a big deal?

Big God – Small View

It’s truly amazing. Us humans Continue Reading

Sharing Your Faith an eBook Resource about where to start when you want to witness to friends, family, and coworkers.

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January 12, 2017 • Biblical Thinking

Sharing Your Faith: Where to start?

It’s a rare thing to ask someone in church if they would like to be better able to talk about their faith, and then hear them say, “No, I don’t.” The majority of church goers would at least humor the question asker and say that they would actually be really relieved if they knew a bit more on the subject. I think most of you really do want to know how to share your faith, it just comes down to the fact that you don’t reel prepared. Therefore, this resource is for you!

Where to Start?

The question often arises, “but where do I start?” A lot of churches are able to offer classes on such matters but are poorly attended. Many smaller churches aren’t even resourced enough to be able to offer them. Real Life is at that size where we would love to offer classes about such things, but it would be a big thing to ask one of our already volunteers to head one up. Not to mention it’s hard to get 10 people to all be able to commit to a single time during the week. Soon enough, but it’s tough!

I’m an avid googler and internet crawler, whatever that means, and I’ve come across an old gem that may just help. It’s a book that Billy Graham and his team produced back in the 1980’s. Old, sure. Useful, probably. Continue Reading

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January 10, 2017 • Biblical Thinking, Thoughts on Personal Growth

I Don’t Read: The Excuse that Wont Die

How many times have we felt shamed by our insufficiencies about our reading ability? Many of us know full well how bad we are at reading. We know our own struggles with wading through thousands of words, just trying to find the intended meaning of a certain book. We’re left dizzy after not only seeing sentences that are hard enough, but when we have a hundred pages more to go.

Do our struggles with reading in general apply with our reading of the Bible? Is there a difference between reading Dickens and reading Paul? Hate me if you want, but I don’t think Continue Reading

Christian Community Sanctified Conversation

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January 4, 2017 • Biblical Thinking

Christian Community; Sanctified Conversation

Christian Community Exists Where Sanctified Conversation Exists

This morning I was reading a seemingly meaningless article about a Men’s community group that meets weekly in a town called Beverly. This article gave the unique picture of a group of men actually getting together and talking about bigger things in life than football. Although, I’m sure football makes its appearances.

The group welcomes diversity, and at this time represents Lutherans, Methodists and former Roman Catholics. Therefore the conversation is never dull or limited, always lively, including personal observations about life’s experiences. Sometimes these are expressed in spirited (no holds barred) “male bantering.”

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October 22, 2016 • Biblical Thinking

Needn’t be Wealthy

You needn’t be wealthy
to give plenty

Modern Smug Christian Pharisees, Irreligious, and Agnostic smuggery

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October 20, 2016 • Biblical Thinking

Smug Christian. No Christian.

Who did Jesus die for? We are quick to answer, “He died for us; for me.” Very true. But why did He die for you?

Christ Died for the Ungodly

Romans 5:6
For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.

It’s a much-known fact that this stub of rock that we live on is a messed up place. How many poverty stricken people did I pass today? What’s the name of the latest medical scare or epidemic? Who are the people of the world who threaten what is good and wholesome? When is the last time someone grabbed for water and it was brown?

It’s fast and easy for us to think about what is wrong in the world but we are, however, much slower to see what’s wrong in us.

Jesus died for you because he saw the little ball of sin and hopelessness that we all are, and thought it best for His glory, that you should know His name. We were saved not merely from a hell we barely understand but from a life of sin and fruitlessness. The stuff of humanity is awesome and carefully crafted, but it is also now corrupt and tainted.

When the Ungodly Turn to God

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October 13, 2016 • Biblical Thinking

Bible’s Shadow

Be oh so worried when the Books about the Bible are more interesting than those books in the Bible.

Christopher Morris

In My Christian Opinion

Biblical Thinking Category