Christian Thought
A temporary ban on refugees being admitted to the U.S. has put the spotlight on their plight. Few of us know what it is to lose our homes, our friends, our land, our belongings, and any sense of security. To lose identity, and dignity. Let us pray for the refugees—men and women, boys and girls—wandering the earth…
A PRAYER FOR THE POOR AND DOWNTRODDEN
Praying for Refugees Read More »
There is a view of leadership today that is disappointingly simplistic: merely getting people to do things. Many are successful in their efforts. They can get people to give money, attend large meetings, vote a certain way, develop a group identity, even to sacrifice. These are good things, but are not the apex of what
Make or break: will we get good spiritual leadership today? Read More »
Today we’d like to invite you to a learning experience aimed at helping you have an enduring and deep influence in your work, your family, and your church. This is simple. We’d love to have you join in a serious exploration of the topic of spiritual leadership today. To join in you just need to
How to Influence People FOR GOOD Read More »
“Spiritual leadership means awakening people to the creatures they really are in Christ. It is like rousing armies of people who are asleep to a great work they must do.” Spiritual Leadership Today BE THE FIRST TO KNOW… Later this month The Brook Network will offer an online leadership development seminar with Mel Lawrenz for
Be the first to know… Read More »
[August, 2016] Ninety-nine percent of a human body consists of six elements: oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, calcium, and phosphorus. The remaining one percent consists of minor elements and trace elements. If you purchased these chemicals on the market, you would have to spend a bit more than $100. Most of us believe people are worth
The acts of violence we are witnessing, and the political acrimony we are experiencing have much in common… Blood on the ground produces panic and confusion and rage, but is also an opportunity for moral clarity. We are watching it all right now. The blood at a traffic stop, the blood of assassinated police officers,
Clip, clip Snip, snip. Clumps of thick Saxon hair fell around the man’s shoulders and dropped to the floor. The barber, one Peter Beskendorf, engaged his customer in one more conversation about spiritual matters. “Pastor,” he said, “how should I pray? How long should I go on? What exactly should I say?” We don’t know
Lessons in Prayer, part 3 Read More »
[In the light of recent tragic events, there is a “Prayer for the Nation” (video) below.] [This is part 2 of Lessons in Prayer. Part 1 is here.] When we speak to God a certain awareness of our relationship with God is pressed upon our minds and hearts. It begins to happen the moment prayer
Lessons in Prayer, part 2 Read More »
Peter Marshall, the Scottish-American pastor who was also Chaplain to the United States Senate, offered this prayer about prayer in the 1940’s: Lord, teach us to pray. Some of us are not skilled in the art of prayer. As we draw near to thee in thought, our spirits long for thy Spirit, and reach out
Lessons in Prayer, part 1 Read More »
[Earlier posts in this series about responding to atheism: 1 The Challenge of Atheism 2 What is Secular Humanism? 3 Responding to Atheism 4 The Theistic Manifesto, The Lord’s Prayer 5 Theistic Manifesto, The Lord’s Prayer, Part 2] God Forgives Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive . . . “Forgive us our trespasses” (v. 12). Now you can be an atheist and
Theistic Manifesto: the Lord’s Prayer, part 3 Read More »
God Wills Your kingdom come, your will be done . . . The second part of the Lord’s Prayer, this manifesto of theism, says, “Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (v. 10). If you pray that, then you are saying, “I believe God is a ruling king. He is leader
Theistic Manifesto: the Lord’s Prayer, part 2 Read More »
God Is Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name . . . The Lord’s Prayer begins simply: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name” (v. 9). Now you could say nothing more than that and have a belief system that fills in the deep cracks and fissures of atheism or materialism. Four truths: There is a
The Theistic Manifesto: the Lord’s Prayer Read More »
Perhaps the most pervasive kind of atheism is what some have called practical atheism, the life stance of many who may say they believe in God, but for all intents and purposes, the reality of God never enters their minds, never influences a decision, never shapes a value, never prompts them to worship. Not atheists
Responding to Atheism Read More »
Another face of atheism in the modern world is the worldview known as secular humanism. Two words here: “humanism” and “secular.” Humanism, broadly viewed, can either be hostile toward God or accepting of God.
What is secular humanism? Read More »
