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Water Lilies, Claude Monet. Public domainThe word “masterpiece” often causes us to think of great works of art.  But Ephesians 2 tells us that we are God’s masterpiece! Scripture:        Ecclesiastes, chapters 1-3; Psalm 45; Ephesians, chapter 2 Ephesians 2:1-10 (NLT): Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil – the […]

Photo by Davide Cantelli on Unsplash“Who but God goes up to heaven and comes back down?” (Proverbs 30:4).  No one – which demonstrates God’s power! Scripture:        Proverbs, chapters 30-31; Psalm 33; Ephesians, chapter 1 Proverbs 30:4 (NLT): Who but God goes up to heaven and comes back down? Who holds the wind in his fists? Who wraps up the oceans in his cloak? Who has created the whole wide world? […]

Photo by Pascal Swier on UnsplashI graduated from Notre Dame Law School in 1984.  As an alumnus, I am very interested in the Fighting Irish sports teams.  Lou Holtz, who coached at Notre Dame from 1986-1996, once said:  “Now I know you’re going to say God doesn’t care who wins. I say that’s true, but I believe His Mother does. I firmly believe that this school has been blessed. When […]

Photo by Patrick Fore on UnsplashWe can easily find information of all types online. That ease may deceive us into thinking that we “know it all” – a belief that can lead to pride.  Instead, Scripture calls us to really love each other – and “don’t think that we know it all!” Scripture:        Proverbs, chapters 16-18; Romans, chapter 12 Romans 12:9-18 (NLT): Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love […]

Photo by K. Mitch Hodge on Unsplash  “What Happens at Pentecost?” Pentecost is an important holiday on the Christian calendar. It celebrates the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise of the Holy Spirit to his disciples. However, it is also relatively unknown outside the Church, and often neglected within the Church.  So why is Pentecost important?  To answer that question, I’ll first discuss what happened at Pentecost. Then, I’ll look at what […]

credit: Pixabay“How Does the Holy Spirit Help the Apostles?” In my first article on the subject of Pentecost, I considered the question, “What Happens at Pentecost?” In this article, I’ll look at a different question: “How does the Holy Spirit help the apostles?” Answering that question will help us to better understand how the Holy Spirit helps believers today. “You Will Receive Power” In Acts 1:8, just before he ascended […]

Photo by Louis Moncouyoux on Unsplash A couple of days ago, I wrote a post discussing OKRs for disciples and potential disciples. (here’s the link to that post:  https://www.patheos.com/blogs/myjourney/2023/05/spiritual-okrs-for-disciples-and-potential-disciples/).  Today, I want to consider the application of OKR methodology to spiritual leadership.  Are there principles for spiritual leaders beyond those for all disciples which I mentioned in the earlier article?  If so, what additional Objectives and Key Results are appropriate […]

Photo by Mukuko Studio on UnsplashWhat does it mean to be “friends of God?” Scripture:        1 Kings, chapter 9; 2 Chronicles, chapter 8; Psalm 136; Romans, chapter 5 Romans 5:1-11 (NLT): Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place […]

Photo by Ricardo Rocha on UnsplashDoes God hear every prayer? Yes – but that doesn’t mean he grants every request! Scripture:        2 Chronicles, chapters 6-7; Psalm 135; Romans, chapter 4 2 Chronicles 7:11-16 (NLT): So Solomon finished the Temple of the Lord, as well as the royal palace. He completed everything he had planned to do in the construction of the Temple and the palace. Then one night the Lord appeared […]