Tag Archives: discipleship
35 Years, Clean and Sober
Proverbs 15:33 — The fear of the LORD is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor. This is the cross-over year. I’m 68 years old, and today I have 35 years clean and sober. I’ve lived more than half … Continue reading
Circumcision of the Heart
I’m preaching a sermon series on the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Romans. This letter is dense, and wonderful and powerful; perhaps no other writing better explains the Christian faith than this letter Paul wrote to a church he did … Continue reading
Poor in Spirit, Step 1 and Romans 7
Photo taken several years ago at Lakeview Methodist Conference Center in near Palestine, Texas Is there a link between the Beatitudes, Romans 7 and Step 1? I’m starting a sermon series on the Sermon on the Mount, found in Mathew’s … Continue reading
A Gift Worth Giving
Recently I’ve read Rich in Years: Finding Peace and Purpose in a Long Life, by Johann Christoph Arnold. It’s a Plough Publishing book, and I recommend it and anything published by Plough, including the beautiful and thoughtful quarterly magazine of … Continue reading
Just on the Other Side
Come, let us return to the LORD; for he has torn us, that he may heal us; he has struck us down, and he will bind us up. After two days he will revive us; on the third day he … Continue reading
Born Again
Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3, ESV) This is such an odd saying, and for many of us we have grown up with … Continue reading
Abide
Since God has so generously let us in on what he is doing, we’re not about to throw up our hands and walk off the job just because we run into occasional hard times. We refuse to wear masks and … Continue reading
Keeping Company
Be not deceived; bad company corrupts good morals. Come to your senses (sober up! is an alternate translation) and stop sinning; for some people are ignorant about God. I say this to your shame. I Corinthians 15:33 I called to … Continue reading
Recognizing the Wound
In an AA meeting a number of us were talking about our drinking days and how we came to the realization we were powerless. As often happens, there was a lot of laughter in the room. Once you realize the … Continue reading
Our Primary Purpose
In the preamble for Alcoholics Anonymous, read at every meeting I’ve ever attended, we hear again that “our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.” The preamble builds up to this by stating that … Continue reading
The Unforced Rhythms of Grace -- Frank Coats 