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The Nature of the Kingdom
Dallas Willard has left me with one phrase over the years: “The nature of the Kingdom is to ASK.” In Matthew 7, he puts the context of “asking” squarely in human relationships first, not in prayer. The reason is it follows the paragraph about casting pearls before swine. In dealing with people. it is far better to approach with thoughtful…
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Thumbs Up for Rock and Roll!
If you have not seen this yet, enjoy! This kid has a future as a motivational speaker.
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A Conversation Fit For Pigs
Dallas Willard’s point in The Divine Conspiracy is simple. Pay attention to the order. So, if we just start with Matthew 7 and plunge into “Do not judge or you too will be judged,” we are in trouble. If we are still dominated by anger, contempt, and lusting, and have not allowed the Kingdom to begin ruling in our hearts,…
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Book Review: The Sacred Meal
A book I received from Thomas Nelson to review has sat on my shelf far too long. The Sacred Meal: The Ancient Practices Series by Nora Gallagher is a short read on Communion. It is not about the big words (transubstantiation or consubstantiation or any other ones). She reflects simply on the meaning of communion. Over the centuries the Church…
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The Southern Baptists Should Have Been More Preemptive
While they were at it this week, the Southern Baptists should have gone ahead and condemned the forthcoming Common English Bible. I guess they can wait until next year. I have been intrigued by the New Testament of the CEB, which I’ve had for several months. (My name is Dan and I’m a translation junkie…) But a couple of areas…
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Books Worth Reading
This summer I am going through some books on discipleship. There is a sense that we are needing to understand our call in the Kingdom of God in a greater way. These are books I am going through to help me regain that sense of Kingdom priority. Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy The Seven Storey Mountain Christianity’s Dangerous Idea: The…
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One Assemblies of God School Closing
Bethany University in California has had some tough times. Unfortunately, it appears they are closing. But when one door closes, as they say, another one seems to open up. The school where I teach is offering help to those students. Being totally biased, I love what North Central is offering.
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NIV 2011 Banned by Southern Baptists?
This resolution came forward at their current meeting: 5:14 p.m. — In a surprising and dramatic move moments ago, messengers voted first to consider a resolution highly critical of the TNIV 2011 and then passed the resolution nearly unanimously. The resolution came from the floor — introduced by messenger Tim Overton — and not from the Resolutions Committee. Overturn’s appeal…
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Walking in Kingdom Power is About Using What You Have
I am walking my way through the Old Testament narrative right now and currently find myself in the story of David and Goliath. I love these stories! When David volunteered to take on Goliath, Saul tried to lend David his armor. They were not fit for David. They had been fit for Saul. David simply said, “I cannot go in…
