Recently I have been switching the word "love" for the word "value". We are desensitized to the word "love" in our society; essentially it has become a self centered concept that focuses on our own desires and our own feelings, rather than its intended meaning. Love is not about us, but this is how we … Continue reading Try Using the Word “Value”…
Author: Mark McClure, LPC
Son of God?
1 John 4:9 "God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent His One and Only Son into the world so that we might live through Him." As Christians we always talk about Jesus being the "Son of God" but I don't think that we do a good job of helping others understand what this … Continue reading Son of God?
Speaking Ability ≠ Effective Ministry
1 Corinthians 1: 1-5 "When I came to you, brothers, announcing the testimony of God to you, I did not come with brilliance of speech or wisdom. For I didn’t think it was a good idea to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I came to you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. My speech and my proclamation … Continue reading Speaking Ability ≠ Effective Ministry
Are You In a Cult?
Bottom Line Up Front: Cults of Christianity draw the focus away from the absolute center of true Christianity--the worship and obsession of Jesus Christ Himself. When we think of cults we often think of weird people who are under some type of mind control of an eccentric leader who is manipulating them into behaving in … Continue reading Are You In a Cult?
Go Unsatisfied
Matthew 5:12 says "Be glad and rejoice, because your reward is great in heaven..." When Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5 He essentially told his followers that the life of one who lives for God is characterized by an expectation of receiving satisfaction in the future...not in the present. It is the … Continue reading Go Unsatisfied
What Should You Do About ______?
Matthew 3: 7-9 says "When he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to the place of his baptism, he said to them, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Therefore produce fruit consistent with repentance. And don’t presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that God is … Continue reading What Should You Do About ______?
Remember Why You Left
1 Peter 1:17-19 Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, … Continue reading Remember Why You Left
Suffering – Part 1
If we do not start with with a correct understanding of what the Christian life is meant to be like then we will misinterpret Scripture, and consequently, God's will. The Jesus follower has an experience on earth that is completely different than every other type of person. The mistake that many Christians make is thinking … Continue reading Suffering – Part 1
Where Excuses Stop — Life Begins
People treat us bad, things go wrong, life is not working out like we want...this is where the excuses begin and life ends. At the outset, this sounds harsh, but stay with me--there is redemption. When we are mistreated there is an emotional response that begins within us. Justice starts to cry out and demands … Continue reading Where Excuses Stop — Life Begins
The Heart of Forgiveness
There are 4 main sections in this blog: Why Forgive? The Fake Apology Getting Walked On Conclusion 1. Why Forgive? The heart of forgiveness is compassion--the motive behind forgiveness is restitution. If you're not interested in compassion or reconciliation then real apology and forgiveness is not your thing. But it can be!! You cannot make … Continue reading The Heart of Forgiveness
