Category Archives: purpose

10 tests for personal inventory

A question and Scripture are offered with each one for deeper reflection. Continue reading

Posted in Disciple-making, Discipleship, Maturity, purpose, Spiritual Detox, Spiritual disciplines, Spiritual growth, Spiritual inventory, Spiritual transformation | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Why study God?

Seven reasons for the study of God Continue reading

Posted in God, J. I. Packer, Meaning in life, Meaning of life, purpose, Questioning God, Seeking God, Spurgeon, Study of God, Walking with God, Wisdom | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The dignity of human beings

About the urgent challenge to tell people who they are, to enlighten them about their identity, that is, to teach without compromise the full biblical doctrine of our human being – its depravity, yes, but also its dignity. Continue reading

Posted in 18 Year factor, Abortion, Anthropology, Human depravity, Human dignity, Humanism, Late term abortion, Meaning in life, Meaning of life, Post-abortion, purpose | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

5 purposes of pain (C. S. Lewis)

C. S. Lewis gave us helpful insights into pain before he left this world to go to the place where “there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain” (Revelation 21:4). It was good for me to revisit his reflections on pain. Continue reading

Posted in C. S. Lewis, Death, Fear of death, Loss, Pain, purpose, Suffering, Trials | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

A thorn in the flesh?

Three purposes of thorns of affliction and much more… Continue reading

Posted in Apostle Paul, discouraged, Discouragement, Holy Spirit, Maturity, purpose, Spiritual Detox, Spiritual disciplines, Spiritual growth, Spiritual transformation, Suffering, Trials, Wisdom | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Our hearts are hungry until…

The person who curves in on himself, who wants God’s gifts without God, who wants to satisfy the desires of a divided heart, ends up sagging and contracting into… Continue reading

Posted in Disciple-making, Discipleship, Following Christ, Lust, Meaning in life, Meaning of life, Passion, purpose, Walking with God | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Search for meaning and satisfaction

“Why do I have three Super Bowl rings and still there’s something greater out there for me?” Continue reading

Posted in 18 Year factor, feeling hopeless, Hope?, Meaning in life, Meaning of life, purpose, Searching, Seeking God, Wisdom | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Four servants of God who battled fierce despair

Four servants of God. Each one reached an extremely low point in life. All of them felt that life was no longer worth living. Continue reading

Posted in Abuse, Addiction, Anger, Anxiety, Assurance, Bitterness, Broken Relationships, Call to ministry, Character, Childhood trauma, Christian life, Comfort, Complaceny, Conceit, Conflict, Contentment, Crisis, Depression, Despair, discouraged, Discouragement, Divine Lottery, Doubt, Elders, elders in the Church, Emerging Leaders, Emotions, Encouragement, Failure, Faith, Fear, feeling hopeless, Freedom, God's Patience, God's Heart, God's Love, Grace, Gratitude, Grieving, Hope?, Kindness, Leadership, Life of a pastor, Loss, marriage problems, Meaning of life, Mercy, Middle life, Mind Renewal, Nihilism, Pain, Pastors, personal, Praise, Prayer, purpose, Questioning God, Repentance, Sadness, Seeking God, Selfishness, Spiritual Detox, Spiritual inventory, Spiritual transformation, Suffering, Suicide, Temptation, Trials, Truth, Victory, Walking with God, Will of God, Wisdom, Worship | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

It’s not the way you think it is

Delusional self-confidence based on self-accomplishment is not far removed from self-righteousness. It’s an insidiously deadly poison that can be… Continue reading

Posted in Attitude, Blessed by God, Christian worldview, Christianity, Church, Church Leadership, Church membership, Deception, Following Christ, God's Heart, God's Love, Gospel, Gospel-centered, Greatness, Jesus Christ, Judging others, Kingdom, Legalism, Love, Meaning of life, Mercy, Missions, Personal thoughts, Poor in spirit, Pride, purpose, Radical love, Repentance, Self esteem, Self love, Self-deception, Selfishness, Spiritual inventory, Teaching of Jesus, True Christianity?, Walking with God, Worldview | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Discontentment can sneak up on you

Diminished hope easily leads to a deflated spirit of resignation that gradually becomes justified pessimism or even dark cynicism. Here’s a timely call to extravagant gratitude. Continue reading

Posted in Calling, Complaceny, Complaining, God's Will, Grace, Gratitude, Love, Meaning in life, Meaning of life, purpose, Thankfulness, Thanksgiving, Walking with God, Will of God, Wisdom | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment