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Defining the Kingdom of God
“The kingdom Jesus proclaimed was neither Christianity, church, nor Christendom (words that carry all kinds of unhelpful associations in the minds of many people…). Above all else, Jesus understood the kingdom to be a community — that amazing divine and human community of loving friendship that God had envisioned from the beginning of all creation, and that has remained his constant…
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The beautiful promise of walking with God
“The mightiest cities will one day crumble, and the most noble societies will pass. But God’s purpose remains steadfast and cannot be frustrated. God, whose presence fills all creation, is calling people to life in a community built on eternal foundations. He is calling you.” — Chris Webb, God Soaked Life: Discovering a Kingdom Spirituality
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We only see what we want to see
Our perpetual struggle is blindness. Not physical blindness. Mental or spiritual blindness. From claims of conspiracy theories to fake news, we don’t like hearing what is counter to what we hold dear. And here is some news that isn’t fake: it is like this all the time. Everywhere.
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Why do we have to keep asking for miracles?
Reading and praying through the Gospel of Mark, I am interested in 2 stories: the feeding of the 5,000 then the feeding of the 4,000. Two miracles where each time the disciples are baffled as to what to do. Why can’t they remember what Jesus did the last time?
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The peace in the storm
35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on…
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The Kingdom of God isn’t about huge beginnings
Again he said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in…
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Increasing our spiritual capacity
Growth in the Kingdom of God is possible, and it is beyond our imagination most of the time. The Spirit is longing to increase our capacity for living out Kingdom power in this world. “Consider carefully what you hear,” he continued. “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and even more. Whoever has will be given more;…
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And be thankful
The past few days have been a whirlwind in my life. Events have stacked up in a way where I needed to shuffle some things, miss some things, add new things in… anyone reading this knows those times happen. This was one of those weeks for me.
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The goal of a powerful life in Christ
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him…
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The shallowness of “belief”
I am drawn into the wonder of Colossians 1 right now. What has hit me as I finish Chapter 1 is how we talk in terms of American Christianity… and how Paul thinks as he has been on this journey to truly know Christ.
Category: Spiritual Formation
