Category Archives: Spiritual Formation & Discipleship

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

A Great Bible Study Tool

Posted on July 4, 2011 by Tommy

I would like to share a link  here  to an article  I wrote a while back for a friend’s website. In the article I give a review of the Logos Bible Software. I wrote the review from a busy pastor’s perspective. … Continue reading →

Posted in Biblical Studies, Christian Discipleship, Christian Ministry, Spiritual Formation & Discipleship | Leave a 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

My Top Ten Books Read in 2010

Posted on December 31, 2010 by Tommy

I read alot of books in 2010, but the following is a list of the top 10 that I found most informative and helpful to me as a husband, father, pastor, and man attempting to follow Jesus. 1.  Lost in … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Ministry, Spiritual Formation & Discipleship | 1 Comment

A Christmas Gift To My Middle-Aged Friends

Posted on December 18, 2010 by Tommy

One thing I have recently come to realize is that those of us who are children of the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s (yes some of us took a long time to grow up) are no longer girls and boys. As … Continue reading →

Posted in Spiritual Formation & Discipleship | 1 Comment

Red Flag Warnings (of Burnout)

Posted on December 16, 2010 by Tommy

Burnout does not just happen overnight, but is a gradual process that occurs over an extended period of time. It can creep up on you if you’re not paying attention to the warning signals. The signs and symptoms of burnout … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Ministry, Counseling, Ministry Stress, Spiritual Formation & Discipleship | 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