Category Archives: Christian Life

Teaching Life Change (part 3)

Posted on August 17, 2011 by Tommy

In my last post, I stated that spiritual growth is the fruit of an increased understanding (2 Pet. 3:18) – not to behavior management. I am talking about, specifically, an increased understanding of the Gospel (who Jesus is and what … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Life, Salvation, Spiritual Formation & Discipleship | 3 Comments

Teaching Life Change (part 2)

Posted on August 10, 2011 by Tommy

I’m afraid that far too many well-meaning pastors and teachers stress “life change” in their teaching in a way that creates guilt, along with the sense that they do not quite measure up to the level of spirituality that the “super … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Discipleship, Christian Life, Salvation, Spiritual Formation & Discipleship, The Gospel Message | 1 Comment

Teaching Life Change

Posted on August 6, 2011 by Tommy

It is fashionable today among church slogans and mission statements to hear phrases like “we exist to produce life transformation” or “our mission is to help people live changed lives”. There are many others that are common, but I think … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Discipleship, Christian Life, Mission of the church, Spiritual Formation & Discipleship, Theology | Leave a comment

Extended Hiatus From Ministry

Posted on July 27, 2011 by Tommy

I’m writing this partly to update some of my friends and readers on my life, and partly just to get some thoughts on paper as I continue to process some of the things God has been doing in my life. … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Life, Christian Ministry, Ministry Stress | 3 Comments

Struggle With Time Management ?

Posted on May 17, 2011 by Tommy

This is an issue that at times, I feel like I have a pretty good handle on – but more often than not these days, it is a struggle. Perhaps that is why sometimes weeks and months go by between … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Life, Christian Ministry, Ministry Stress | 1 Comment

When It Looks Like God’s Punishment

Posted on March 31, 2011 by Tommy

There are certain instances in the Old Testament where it seems that God is surely bringing punishment. One case in point would be in the life of David after he sinned by committing adultery with Bathsheba, and later the murder … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Life, New Covenant, Spiritual Formation & Discipleship | Leave a comment

Does God Punish Us When We Sin?

Posted on March 30, 2011 by Tommy

To answer this question I believe we have to differentiate between believers and non-believers. Furthermore, we have to distinguish between how God ultimately “judges” sin at the end of this present age, and how God responds to and deals with … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Life, Doctrine of God, Spiritual Formation & Discipleship, The Gospel Message, The Person & Work of Jesus Christ | Leave a comment

The Slippery Slope To Paganism

Posted on January 13, 2011 by Tommy

I’m continuing to work through a series of thoughts on how the American Church has drifted away from its roots of historic, orthodox theology and become what we observe today. To use the term Paganism in conjunction with Christianity may … Continue reading →

Posted in American Church, Christian Life, Doctrinal Issues, Doctrine of God, Theology | Leave a comment

The Basis For Christian Unity, pt.1

Posted on January 7, 2011 by Tommy

How often have we heard the question raised in various Christian circles “why can’t we just love each other, regardless of what we believe?”. In most cases, such pleas are in some way, a call to unity. More subtle, underlying … Continue reading →

Posted in American Church, Christian Life, Doctrinal Issues, Theology | Leave a comment

Everybody Is A Worshipper

Posted on December 15, 2010 by Tommy

Here in the Bible Belt where I live there is a Christian sub-culture in which (as I state in my last post) most people would swear on their mother’s grave that God is #1 in their life. I would argue … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Discipleship, Christian Life, Spiritual Formation & Discipleship, Worship | Leave a comment