“Long suffering”—one of the fruits of the spirit—is a phrase that strikes the modern ear as more than a little odd. Today in North America, “to suffer” calls for immediate intervention: a financial stimulus, a pill, a new job, a new relationship. Anything to relieve our pain (however great or small). In fact, most of us wonder how suffering could ever be good, especially over a long period of time. It sounds more like a cruel form of punishment—perhaps something akin to … [Read more...]
Advent: Unexpected Plans
So her husband Joseph, being a righteous man, and not wanting to disgrace her publicly, decided to divorce her secretly. But after he had considered these things, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, don't be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because what has been conceived in her is by the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 1:19-20 In this third week of Advent, I'd like to suggest something provocative; I'd like to propose, as others have before me, that our God is too small. … [Read more...]
The Secret to Contentment
As I write, it's early December. In view is our beautifully decorated Christmas tree, stockings hanging from the mantle above the fireplace, kids snuggling with mom on the couch, and my first run at a new playlist for our annual Christmas Eve brunch playing on the iPod. Could it get any better? Of course it could! This is America, right? It can always be better. Therein lies a fundamental problem with the human heart. We are almost never satisfied. Though we all long for it, contentment seems to rest just outside our grasp. The … [Read more...]
Advent: In the Balance
In a moment of almost divine inspiration, musician John Lennon once said: “Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans.” I've always been struck by the truth of that statement, and especially so during Advent—a paradoxical season in which the “now” and the “not yet” link arms in an odd union of time and tenses. Through the angel's announcement to Mary, we know that Christ is coming, but we don't know what to do in the meantime. We have neither the wherewithal, nor the … [Read more...]
Advent: Expectation
When I think of the season of Advent, the four-week part of the church calendar that immediately precedes Christmas, the word that comes to mind is “expectation.” Indeed, Advent is a season in which we wait hopefully for that which is promised but is not yet fully formed. It is during this time of year that those of us who are Christians receive the startling news that Christ is being formed in us; that Christ is being born. The question is this: What will we do with such strange, wonderful news? Will we receive it as if … [Read more...]
Spicing Up Your Prayer Life
Let’s be honest. Our prayer lives need some help! Some of us pray as if God is a cosmic genie, granting wishes and doing the bidding of those who pray the most or the best. Others treat prayer like a fire alarm—pull in case of emergency. For those of us leading Sunday School classes, Bible studies, and small groups, prayer is often more like an administrative task to check off our to-do list rather than an encounter with a living—and listening—God. So how do we spice up our prayer lives and get out of the … [Read more...]
How to Lead a Group with Differing Levels of Spiritual Maturity
We’re often asked the following question from young adult leaders: What do I do if my group has differing levels of spiritual maturity? That’s a valid question, and a challenging one. For starters, separating groups according to their supposed spiritual maturity isn't a good solution. It creates pride and division, and it prohibits community. But how do you lead a group of mixed spiritual maturity when you want to make sure everyone is challenged? Here are a few suggestions: Teach to the level at which you want people to … [Read more...]
The Biblical Model of Mentoring
We are living in an interesting time in history. For what is likely the first time in the history of the Christian church, generations aren’t worshiping together. It now appears normal to see older generations meeting together wearing suits and singing hymns, boomers wearing Hawaiian shirts and singing peppy songs about how Jesus changed their lives, and emerging generations meeting in dark rooms singing in minor keys. But, from an historical perspective, this is not normal. Beyond that, it is ultimately harmful to the … [Read more...]
We’re All in This Together
For Christians in the past and today's world, community service has been one of the cornerstones of true discipleship. Borrowing a leaf from what Christ Himself initiated, we can learn from His example by identifying with different communities at different levels. The truth is, we're all part of a global community, stretching from the boundary of our homes to the furthest habitable part of the globe. As young adult followers, being part of an authentic, healthy community molds us to look beyond ourselves and see the needs of others … [Read more...]
Hosting an Operation Christmas Child Packing Party
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! At least according to the classic holiday song that streams through department store speakers from November to January. (You’re singing it in your head right now, aren’t you?) There really is something special about Christmastime, but consumerism has slowly begun to take over the season’s true meaning as shoppers zoom past the nativity scene and head for the mall. Break the norm this holiday season. Instead of scratching your head about what to buy family members or … [Read more...]
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