Sheep get a bad rap. They tend to be followers. If one jumped off a bridge, there’s a good chance the others would too. Without the shepherd, the sheep are helpless. Sheep know the sound of their shepherd calling, and they respond because they are dependent on the shepherd to give them guidance and keep them safe. They have a devotion to their shepherd. When the shepherd calls, they respond. David, the author of much of the Book of Psalms, was a shepherd. He knew the intimate relationship he had with his sheep. He knew they … [Read more...]
Is Jesus Really All You Need?
“All you need is Jesus.” Ever heard that phrase? In the evangelical world that I consider myself a part of, this phrase is constantly proclaimed as the very essence of the Christian faith. All I need is my personal relationship with Jesus. Everything else may be helpful, but not necessary to live out my Christian faith. I know I have preached the same message. I've offered that message as counsel. I've even lived this message in my Christian faith. But is that all that there is to it? I don’t think so. Radical … [Read more...]