Category Archives: Individual Lesson
What Kind of God Do We Have? (1)
Scripture gives us mixed messages about God. On the one hand, it tells us stories of a God who is knowable and known. On the other, it tells us God is beyond our capacity to know, contain, or comprehend. For … Continue reading
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Meet My Friend, George
George Fuller is a friend of mine. He’s been a minister here in town for almost 20 years. He finds himself with free time these days, and is getting involved in our community, so I asked him to speak this … Continue reading
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Examen of Consciousness
This is such an important practice. I hope you have a listen. When our view of God changes, our view of prayer changes. Many simply stop praying… stop having a devotional habit. But that’s just not good for our souls. Better is to go back through history and find ways of “prayer” that feed us in our newly-emerging way of thinking about God. Examen is one of those ancient ways. Continue reading
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Tagged ancient spiritual paths, contemplation, examen of consciousness
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Stirring Up Gratitude: Thanksgiving 2011
Gratitude changes us. It makes us happier, healthier, and better people. In this lesson we cite both the ancient wisdom, and current double-blind studies. You’ll be convinced that gratitude will make your life better. However, it’s not easy work. It’s tough! So, we’ll talk about some practical ways to stir thankfulness in our hearts. Continue reading
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Tagged ancient spiritual paths, gratitude, thankfulness, Thanksgiving
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Our “Identities” and How We Look at Scripture
Our personal stories influence how we interpret scripture. We need to get rid of our first (false) identity, good or bad. In fact, our “good identity” may be more detrimental because it takes us longer to get to the end of ourselves (our flesh). When these identities die (at the cross), we must draw strength from our “transformed identify” as one who is loved by God. Continue reading
9/11: The 10-Year Anniversary
Today, we revisit a lesson given 10 years ago, in the raw aftermath of the terrorist attacks on our nation. In it, we conclude that in a world of transience and trouble, the question before us is how we shall live.
Nobly. Honestly. Graciously. From our Divine Centers.
It was true then. It’s still true today.
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The Power of Our Words
Words are more powerful than we often consider day to day. We use them, the ancient proverb teaches us, to bless, or to curse. In this lesson, we look at some of the ways our words can bless, and stir ourselves to use our words to better the lives of those around us. Continue reading
David Williams: Let’s Follow the Right Example
Prison letters from our spiritual forefathers are often their most poignant writings. In his letter to the church at Philippi, Paul clearly states that Jesus and not Caesar is the true leader of Christians and we should thus follow His leadership and example.
The meaning of Phil 3:17-21 has been traditionally interpreted as a dualism:
either as a “judgmental separation” where Christians (the spiritually-minded “us”) are differentiated from the worldly-minded “them” or as a “worldly escapism” where Christians feel not at home in the irreparably rotten world but constantly anticipate eternal life in heaven. However, I don’t feel that either of these interpretations is what Paul intended. Listen in to find out more. Continue reading
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Guest Speaker: Dan Nelson
I prepare these posts the day before, so I can’t write a synopsis of what Dan will be saying tomorrow. But I suspect it will be worth listening to. Dan is my friend, and more than about anybody I know, … Continue reading
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