The week starts for me today, which always seems odd, anyway happy reading.
The Gospel Is True. Now Walk This Way
In his letter to the Ephesians, the Apostle Paul tells us how we should walk in light of who we are in Christ. But even more importantly, he shows us where we get the power to walk.
3 Ways Social Media Is Hurting Your Local Church
The church can use online tools, apps, devices, and the internet as a vehicle for getting some ministry accomplished, but it cannot replace God’s ancient disciple making plan. Being social online is not the same as being social in person. Technology shields us from a certain vulnerability that’s necessary in the life of the local church family. Don’t become a self-focused narcissist by socializing, reading, talking, and interacting with groups in your church while constantly looking down at a device. Stop what you’re doing. Look up. Look into the eyes of real people and communicate.
Obedience is really the other side of the repentance coin. And Jonah teaches us a bit about the type of obedience that God is looking for. Again a few questions are helpful.
Seattle Reboot: Life After Mars Hill
Many of us were outsiders, spectators of the collapse of Mars Hill and yet sometimes we may forget real people were involved. “The collapse of Mars Hill released a tidal wave of hurt, disillusioned people. Many quit Mars Hill; some quit church or Christianity altogether. Hundreds limped into other area churches, asking about church bylaws and pastoral pay structures before even introducing themselves.”
Prayer is a spiritual discipline that needs cultivation. The ground needs to be turned over. Seeds need to be planted and watered. We wait like the farmer, trusting the seed will sprout and multiply its blessing.
Become Idolaters by Forgetting the Gospel
Everything we do as believers should be inside the framework of the gospel. Good works apart from the gospel have no real foundation and are themselves idols leading us away from savoring Christ.
Josue Aguilar 