Today is remembered in much of the Church as the “conversion of Paul.” I am working my way through N.T. Wright’s great work, Paul: A Biography. Wright rekindles my love for Paul and his work. Paul was one who caught the vision of a truly new social reality and then worked like crazy to communicateContinue reading “The Feast of the Conversion of Paul”
Tag Archives: Paul
Bring me the books and something to write on
When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments. (2 Tim. 4:13) Paul knows his time is short. He is in prison and near the end of his appeals process. It doesn’t look good and execution is close. With this end in sight, what doesContinue reading “Bring me the books and something to write on”
Spiritual Leadership — Finishing Well
It’s not about how you start… it’s how you finish. Spiritual leaders look back and reflect on the goodness of God. And it’s not always a pleasant place of reflection. Paul was in prison and the executioner was down the hall.
Thoughts on Mentoring
I know we use terms like “coaching,” but we also use terms in the church like “leadership,” too. I miss other words with slightly different connotations, like “mentoring” and “pastoring.”
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.
Prevailing Prayer and Adoration
No matter the condition on earth, the action in heaven is worship.
The surrender of discipleship
I love the phrase I learned years ago: As a leader you have to give up to go up. As a leader you give up “rights” and “privileges” so you can keep growing as a leader. The whole point was to keep “rising” as a leader. Over the years I’ve realized that “rising” as aContinue reading “The surrender of discipleship”
Praying the prayers of Paul over people
There are times when I need more than, “Lord, just bless them,” as I pray for people. There are needs to pray for in people’s lives, to be sure, but there are BLESSINGS to pray into people’s lives as well. Colossians 1:9-14 has a beautiful prayer to pray on behalf of others. I have foundContinue reading “Praying the prayers of Paul over people”
The Difference Between Knowing God and Knowing ABOUT God
I am preparing for my Acts class this week and find myself in Acts 19, one of my favorite chapters in the Bible. The sons of Sceva always intrigue me. They are the picture of spiritual formulas. This is the picture we get when we are so caught up in the design of a programContinue reading “The Difference Between Knowing God and Knowing ABOUT God”
Speaking the Truth Doesn’t Always Work Out
25 Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will. But mark this: There will be terrible times in theContinue reading “Speaking the Truth Doesn’t Always Work Out”
Apprentice 2 Jesus 