By Seth Barnes, Founder of Adventures in Missions For a couple of years, I’ve been trying to write a book that addresses the subject of how our model of discipleship doesn’t look like how Jesus taught his followers. As I’ve studied the Master, I see him doing five things that most modern Christians don’t do. … Continue reading Jesus’ Five Secrets of Discipleship
By George Elerick Have you ever been in one of those moods where you just didn’t want to cook? Or there was nothing really appetizing eyeballing you in the refrigerator. So you opted for the fast food option. To be honest, that was our family’s motto growing up, we all loved our fast food runs. … Continue reading Vampire Christians: Jesus Is More Than the Cross
By George Elerick When I go to the store and I’m perusing the candy aisle, I purposefully walk away with a package of one of my favorite candy bars — Almond Joy! I don’t come away with Snickers or any other B-rate sweet, because there might be a chance that my wife might like it and … Continue reading The Other Half of the Gospel: Everyone
By Mac Bridger If the message of Jesus is so wonderful, why are we only convincing 10% of our community? In my local area, where there are about 22,000 inhabitants, no more than about 2,000 go to the 14 churches in my town. So I have been going back to the beginning. Going through Mark’s … Continue reading The Message of Jesus: A Street Faith
By Tom Schiavon The effects of sin are everywhere. I don’t mean the personal sin that we usually think of, where person X does something wrong. I mean the effects of original sin, that event caused by Adam that was so catastrophic that it brought death and disease into the world, and was so total … Continue reading Hope and Original Sin
By George Elerick Our family used to go to the beach a lot. We used to spend time on the old rickety wooden piers that seemed to tell stories of those who have walked before. It was beautiful scenery with birds flying through the air like dancers on a stage. One of my favorite things … Continue reading What It Really Means to Repent
By Brooke Luby Everyone begins life in awareness of God. As time passes, we “grow up” and lose this awareness. As my favorite band Sleeping At Last poetically puts it: “When the world welcomes us in, we’re closer to heaven then we’ll ever know. They say this place has changed, but strip away all of … Continue reading Oh, There You Are, God
By Brian Onken I sat in my office, listening to another story of trouble and difficulty. This couple sitting with me was between work, needing help, struggling financially. I was thinking, “What would Jesus do?” Yes, the WWJD thought is clich, but it seemed appropriate. But then is dawned on me, maybe it really wasn’t … Continue reading Not WWJD, But What is Jesus Doing?
By Brian Onken When? That’s often what I want to know. I ask Jesus when he will do something, how long will it take him to attend to some need, when he will finally get around to what I think is so important. Feeling the magnitude of my own needs and trying to find a … Continue reading Jesus’ Timing: Wasted vs. Spent
By Brian Onken Some of the religious people in Jesus’ day didn’t take to him very well; they were troubled by what he said and did. Not that they weren’t captivated by his miracles and the way he cared for people; they often appreciated his care and stood amazed at the power with which his … Continue reading What Are You Willing to Lose?