Category: Identity

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Imagine the church unrestrained

I was reading some comments by contemporary theologian Walter Brueggemann regarding the season of Pentecost.  He makes these comments firstly of the church ….    “It is not an institution, but rather a community of folk who are propelled by God’s own spirit, situated in Jesus’ own narrative, and alive in the world in alternative ways.” 

In making these comments Brueggemann is not only making comment on the nature of the early church situated around Jesus human incarnation some 2020 years ago but also and as importantly he is making comment on the nature of the church we need to live in today. Where are a community that stands over against institution – where we are propelled not by regulation or fear but by God’s own Spirit.  Continue reading “Imagine the church unrestrained”

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A life of discouragement or a life of favour

Discouragement seems to so often grip us – even though we might consider ourselves mature in faith and able to stand strong in the tides of life. Discouragement among other things takes the wind from our sails – even though it is the breath of God who breathes life into them. 

It never ceases to amaze me how one sharp comment or disapproving look can undo all the praise and encouragement that comes our way especially as we seek the approval of others and the love of God through our good works.

The missionary William Ward had this to say about discouragement – consider how it sits with you ……
“Discouragement is dissatisfaction with the past, distaste for the present, and distrust of the future. It is ingratitude for the blessings of yesterday, indifference to the opportunities of today, and insecurity regarding strength for tomorrow. It is unawareness of the presence of beauty, unconcern for the needs of our fellowman, and unbelief in the promises of old. It is impatience with time, immaturity of thought, and impoliteness to God.” 

I wonder if we should be people of discouragement or be encouraged by the reality that we are favoured by God. We get to choose. Do we worship a God of discouragement or a God of blessing?  We get to choose – agree with God or not!

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Why nobility might be the answer

a blog by Kris Vallotton 24.04.2023

A VIRTUE-LESS PEOPLE
Have you ever looked at society and wondered if nobility, morality, and sacredness have been eroded from the roots of our history? It can feel like we live in a day and age when morality has become relative, nobility is most often found in fictional stories, and virtue-less people consider righteous standards as religious oppression. With this at the forefront of our news articles, I’ve recently been wrestling with the question: “What does it mean to be noble?”

Now, the truth is without the grace of God we would all be enslaved to the sins of this world, entangled by the snares of the enemy, and chained to the lies about our identity. But, the truth is even in a world that tells us feelings are fact and our temptations should be embraced, we are not defined by either of these things, but rather by the virtues we cling to. Continue reading “Why nobility might be the answer”

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What is God’s role in government?

Kris Vallotton says ….
Our government isn’t perfect. There are imperfect people in leadership across the nation and a system that often feels polarizing; full of insufficiencies, gaps, and evil agendas.

But, in the midst of our shortcomings is a God that isn’t scared of the imperfect structures we’ve created, rather he has selected people to lead nations and govern people. Yet, so often in our uncomfortably, we deem things insignificant or even worse destructive.

The Church often strays away from the conversation of politics because of the nature of the sphere, but the Lord has created people to step into these very spaces and bring supernatural solutions from Heaven.

However, so often we think that a Christian politician is going to save our nation’s spiritual condition when the truth is that is not their job. Their call has been to govern justly with good character and a pure heart posture, not to evangelize to their city, state, or nation. Continue reading “What is God’s role in government?”