Archive for November, 2008
Next Entries »Unusual Hi-Tech Retreat at Laity Lodge
Friday, November 14th, 2008Laity Lodge is, quite intentionally, a lo-tech place. We don’t have cell service in the Frio Canyon where Laity Lodge is located, and we don’t want it. If people need to make phone calls, they can use pay phones! We don’t have televisions. We have a few computers with limited Internet access . . . […]
When and How Do We Receive Spiritual Gifts?
Thursday, November 13th, 2008Part 6 of series: Spiritual Gifts in the Body of Christ
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You may be wondering why I am spending so much time in this series on clarifying the nature of spiritual gifts. I am doing so because I believe that a correct understanding will lead us into greater […]
Spiritual Gifts as “Momentary Empowerments” for Ministry
Wednesday, November 12th, 2008Part 5 of series: Spiritual Gifts in the Body of Christ
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In my last post in this series I sought to define spiritual gifts as they are explained in 1 Corinthians 12-14. I suggested the following definition:
Spiritual gifts are momentary empowerments provided by the Spirit to promote the […]
Defining “Spiritual Gifts”
Tuesday, November 11th, 2008Part 4 of series: Spiritual Gifts in the Body of Christ
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In my last post I asked the question: What are spiritual gifts? I explained that Paul does not define the phrase “spiritual gifts” in his writings. In fact, the phrase “spiritual gift” (charisma pneumatikon) does not actually […]
The Ministry of the Spirit in 1 Corinthians 12-14
Monday, November 10th, 2008Part 3 of series: Spiritual Gifts in the Body of Christ
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So far in this series on Spiritual Gifts in the Body of Christ, I’ve explained that the Holy Spirit is like a bodybuilder who seeks to build up the body of Christ. The Spirit does this, in […]
Sunday Inspiration from The High Calling
Sunday, November 9th, 2008The Arguing Clay
READ Isaiah 45:9-13
“What sorrow awaits those who argue with their Creator.
Does a clay pot argue with its maker?
Does the clay dispute with the one who shapes it, saying,
‘Stop, you’re doing it wrong!’
Does the pot exclaim,
‘How clumsy can you be?’ ”
Isaiah 45:9
Through Isaiah, the Lord made known his plans to use Cyrus, king […]
Autumn in the Texas Hill Country, Part 2
Saturday, November 8th, 2008Leaves of an oak tree in our back yard. The tree is known by various names: Spanish Oak, Red Oak, or Texas Red Oak. We don’t have many trees in the Texas Hill Country that turn red in autumn, but the Spanish Oak is one of the most common (along with the stunning but relativelty […]
The Abuse of Spiritual Experiences in Corinth . . . and Today
Friday, November 7th, 2008Part 2 of series: Spiritual Gifts in the Body of Christ
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In my last post I introduced the bodybuilding work of the Spirit. The church, as the body of Christ, is shaped and enlarged by the work of the Spirit through ordinary members of the body.
This bodybuilding work […]
Spiritual Gifts in the Body of Christ: Introduction
Thursday, November 6th, 2008Part 1 of series: Spiritual Gifts in the Body of Christ
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I just recently finished an extended series on the church as the body of Christ. Building on that foundation, I want now to consider the function of spiritual gifts in the body of Christ. Little is more […]
A Christian Response to the 2008 Presidential Election (Part 3)
Wednesday, November 5th, 2008Part 3 of series: A Christian Response to the 2008 Presidential Election
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In my first two posts in this series I’ve outline three facets of a Christian response to the presidential election:
1. We Should Act Upon the Call of Jesus to Peacemaking in the
Way We Relate to Our […]
A Christian Response to the 2008 Presidential Election (Part 2)
Tuesday, November 4th, 2008Part 2 of series: A Christian Response to the 2008 Presidential Election
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In my last post I began discussing a Christian response to the presidential election. More accurately, I began repeating a discussion I posted four years ago. At that time, I wrote this series without knowing the […]
A Christian Response to the 2008 Presidential Election
Monday, November 3rd, 2008Part 1 of series: A Christian Response to the 2008 Presidential Election
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In November 2004 I put up a short series entitled – Presidential Election Results: A Christian Response. I meant for this series to be relevant to all Christians, those who supported John Kerry and those who […]
Sunday Inspiration from The High Calling
Sunday, November 2nd, 2008Freedom that Comes from the Servant
READ Isaiah 42:5-12
“You will open the eyes of the blind.
You will free the captives from prison,
releasing those who sit in dark dungeons.”
Isaiah 42:7
In Isaiah, the Servant of God will open blind eyes, free the captives, and release the prisoners. These tasks were part of his work of bringing God’s […]
Autumn in the Texas Hill Country
Saturday, November 1st, 2008
An autumn view of “The Blue Hole” on the H.E. Butt Foundation property, near Laity Lodge.