Six Spiritual Lessons I Learned at the Gym
Some experiences in life are like thumbnail images of the larger mural of our lives. They startle us with their simplicity; they awaken us with their clarity. They are tutors in the larger classroom of our every day lives, guides on the road of our spiritual journeys. Recently I had an opportunity for a gym membership in the community where we were staying for a few months. Not only did I sign up for general use of the gym, but I also worked out in regular sessions with a personal trainer. Having never previously darkened the door of a gym or handled a barbell, I was delighted to discover that gym workouts can supply striking examples of the kind of spiritual principles we need to understand in the panoramic experience of life. Let me share six things I learned at the gym that also app... Read more
Is “Submit” the Only Word We Can Say to Christian Wives?
She came to me cautiously. Clearly she was a woman distressed by her husband’s deep unkindness. Her story touched on pain, on fear, on confusion, on hatred. My heart ached with sympathy as her heart cried for help. I responded to her cautiously. Clearly she needed the true counsel of God’s Word to salve her pain, her fear, her confusion, her anger. I feared offering her crumbs of worldly wisdom that would lead her away from the Saviour, from the truth that would set her free. In the end I told her what I knew although I discerned hopelessness in her eyes as my words failed to touch her need. My counsel could have been summed up in one word: submit. One-Eyed Counsel This one-eyed advice is the most oft given counsel for women in fundamental churches. Wives, submit. It’s the bottom... Read more
Bible Reading: Pick Your Plan for 2012
Personal Bible reading can be a glorious adventure or a guilt-burdened duty. Choosing a Bible reading plan that fits your life may be part of the key to finding delight within the pages of the Old Book. Have you ever read through the whole Bible in a year? For me, this strategy for Bible reading has blossomed and borne fruit as year builds onto year. Although this Bible reading plan can sometimes be burdensome, reading the whole Bible every year provides a solid foundation for understanding other Bible teaching and for personal growth. Every Christian who is literate enough should attempt this several times throughout his lifetime. After all, if God's Word is the basis for the Christian life, shouldn't we at least read it from cover to cover? Through-the-Bible reading plans are easi... Read more
Surviving Toxic Leaders: How to Work for Flawed People in Churches, Schools, and Christian Organizations
By Kenneth O Gangel, Wipf and Stock, 2008 Toxic leaders. The topic frequently pops up in both secular and religious news. Undeniably, toxic leaders even flourish within fundamental churches and organizations. Kenneth Gangel's book, Surviving Toxic Leaders, answers two main questions: what does toxicity look like and how should people under toxic leaders respond effectively. The author was uniquely qualified to contribute to this discussion. His obituary (2009) states, "Dr. Gangel was one of the most influential Christian educators of the 20th century; a leader of leaders; and a champion of the Christian family. Kenn authored or edited 57 books and lectured in more than 40 educational institutions worldwide." His educational credentials also include three master’s level seminary degre... Read more
How Do You Define Worldliness?
The very word “worldly” immediately conjures lavish sights and sensual sounds in our minds, conscientiously inscribed there by preaching and teaching we have heard over the years. The nightclub’s throb and strobe stroking embodied sensuality is instantly associated with a more blatant side of worldliness. More sedate icons of worldliness include the sleek BMW parked in the triple garage of a well-groomed executive dwelling, where crystal tinkles and shallow conversations hum. Or perhaps your mental images of worldliness encompass entertainment and fashion choices and the kind of friends you hang out with. Whatever our personal “photo album” of worldliness may be, each of us must be wary of the error of limiting our concept of “worldliness” to tangible elements. When we do so, we grea... Read more
