Four times the Apostle Paul instructs his readers to greet each other with a holy kiss (Rom 16:16; 1 Cor 16:20; 2 Cor 13:12; 1 Thess 5:26; cf. 1 Peter 5:14). Let’s work through a few questions related to these verses’ social background and address the question of whether we should bring back the practice … Continue reading “Greet One Another with a Holy Kiss”? (Q&A)
Category: Spiritual Life
Gossip: The Inside Scoop
Can I tell you a secret? You have to promise not to tell anyone. I know some details about Gossip that you might find interesting. I’m sure, though, that Gossip wouldn’t want you to know these things, since he’s probably afraid that if you learned about him, it might remove some of his influence. Personally, … Continue reading Gossip: The Inside Scoop
Dramatic Drop in Bible Reading: Why?
In 2011, the percentage of Americans who “used the Bible at least 3-4 times on their own, outside of a church setting” was around 50%. Again in 2012—around 50%. Then again in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021. Always around 50%. But according to the American Bible Society, in 2022, that … Continue reading Dramatic Drop in Bible Reading: Why?
What is Christian Revival? Three Resources to Help You Understand Revival
A Christian revival is a moment in history when 1) the hearts of many of God’s people are awakened to greater love and commitment to Christ, 2) many who consider themselves Christians (but are not) get converted, and 3) many people who have never known Christ are drawn to faith in Christ through what God … Continue reading What is Christian Revival? Three Resources to Help You Understand Revival
Joy
“What are the joy-stealers? Why do so many of us struggle with joy?” I often ask my students this question when we open the book of Philippians. “Time pressures.” “Financial pressures.” “Unfulfilled expectations.” “Hurts from the past.” These are common responses from my students. But Paul would point us toward two other foundational reasons for … Continue reading Joy
“Based”
Last semester a young college friend challenged me (dared me?) to try to use the contemporary slang word “based” during one of my college class lectures. Honestly, it was a bit tricky, since I first had to figure out what my twenty-something-year-old students meant when they used this word. But once I got a basic … Continue reading “Based”
Seven Favorite Christian Books of 2022
I read a lot of helpful Christian books this past year, but here are my seven favorites. Surprisingly, I read the first five before the end of January! Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy: Discovering the Grace of Lament, by Mark Vroegop. The author first teaches how to lament, and then moves on to explain what we … Continue reading Seven Favorite Christian Books of 2022
Should You Pray to the Holy Spirit?
The short answer, I believe, is that there is nothing wrong with offering a prayer to the Holy Spirit since God the Spirit is, of course, fully God, just as is God the Father and God the Son. However, most prayers in the New Testament and in the church of the second and third centuries … Continue reading Should You Pray to the Holy Spirit?
Nurturing the Spiritual Lives of our Children: 14 Tips
A few years ago, Trudi and I led a session at a parenting seminar. We offered 14 “tips” for nurturing the spiritual lives of one’s children. I’ve included the 14 teaching points here for your own consideration. Our prayer is that many parents will take on the call to intentionally train their children in the ways of … Continue reading Nurturing the Spiritual Lives of our Children: 14 Tips
How to Change from a Prayer Worrier into a Prayer Warrior
Are you a Prayer Worrier or a Prayer Warrior? What’s the difference? Prayer Worriers only pray about things that they’re worried about. The only items that some people pray about are the matters that make them anxious. A person who only prays about their worries is a classic Prayer Worrier. Prayer Warriors, in contrast, battle … Continue reading How to Change from a Prayer Worrier into a Prayer Warrior
Kindle Afresh 