My heart and the love of $$

Paul Tripp in his book Sex & Money shares four things that will cause a Christian’s heart to be controlled by money. They are… Ingratitude. Need Discontent Envy If you are unthankful and convinced that you deserve more, if you have been able to convince yourself that there are things you need that you do…

Don’t Isolate Yourself

Proverbs 18:1 reads, “whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment.”  Bruce Waltke in his commentary on Proverbs says this, “the fool alienates himself from society by his self-indulgent pursuit and bares his teeth against the sage’s proficient thinking.” The person who isolates himself can also be translated antisocial…

What does God’s grace teach us to do?

In Titus 2:11-12, Paul expressed both the negative and positive aspects of what grace accomplishes in the Christian life: “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to [negatively] renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to [positively] live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age.” Those three…

Do’s and Don’ts of Funeral Arrangements

The Do’s DO try to be with the family as soon as you receive word about the family member’s death. DO offer to help the family gather information in preparation for the funeral arrangements. DO mobilize the church family to join you in caring for the needs of the family. DO gently offer suggestions that…

Say No To Sin

SAY NO…The grace of God has appeared . . . training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions (Titus 2: 11-12). Grace teaches us to say no to ungodliness. Ungodliness in its broadest form basically comprises disregarding God, ignoring Him, or not taking Him into account in one’s life. It’s a lack of fear and…

Helpful ways to recognize whether you’re arrogant…

This piece was written by Dr. Lawless and posted on Dr. Rainer’s website, which day-in-day-out is probably the most helpful, practical blog on leadership out there. Here’s what Dr. Lawless says regarding how to recognize arrogance: 10 Ways to Recognize Our Arrogance May 27, 2014  By Chuck Lawless I’m writing this post for me as much as…

Good word from Eric Geiger: 10 signs you have a silo leader

06.12.2014 Wise leaders are often repulsed by the idea of a ministry or organizational silo. A silo is, by definition, “a system or department that is isolated from others.” Silos can cause ministries or organizations to move in a plethora of disparate directions. Thus, a silo sucks funding from the overall mission, causes confusion as…

Some practical steps to cultivate humility

John Stott said, “in every step of our Christian growth and maturity, and throughout every aspect of our Christian obedience and service, our greatest foe is pride and our greatest ally is humility.” In light of that truth here are some practical steps C.J. Mahaney submits that Christians should do at the beginning of each day and at…

Parenting your kids and the danger of bahaviorism

The tendency of most parents, even Christian parents is to teach behaviorism, in hopes that the behavior will bring about a change in heart. The Bible tells us that not only is this the opposite of what parents are to be doing but its impossible for someone’s behavior to produce a change of heart. Hence,…