What does it mean to be a naturally supernatural person? This is a question I’ve been exploring for decades. So on this morning of 2019 I found myself reflecting on that question yet again. Here’s what I’ve come up with… so far. I’m coming to understand...
As I’ve been preparing a teaching on the subject of power encounters, I’ve had a pastoral concern: How to handle them in light of the inclination of some believers to drift away from genuine, credible gospel living into sensationalism. So I thought I’d write about...
“The Christian life is not an accomplishment or an achievement, it’s a gift by the one who is able to give good gifts.”~ Walter Brueggemann The thing is, this all depends on our receiving – upon us accepting that everything originates with and is initiated by...
The Holy Spirit is the wellspring of creativity and a master of spontaneity. That makes “keeping in step with the Spirit”, tricky (Gal. 5:25).Not only does it take trust, it also requires a certain mental flexibility and spiritual openness in order to respond to him...
Do you know what we’re asking when you pray, “Come Holy Spirit”?Do you understand just how risky it is? It seems safe enough. It’s a prayer spoken in lots of churches these days. But do we know what we’re getting ourselves into? Do we realize we’re...
Can you be too religious for your own good? Yes! We all know people who seem to be so religious that they’re impossible to be around. They’re devoted, obedient, sincere and absolutely unbearable! On the other hand, I’d say you can’t be too human the...
At the risk of being too simple, I’d say successful church planting boils down to being the right person in the right place following God’s Spirit at the right time. Yet surprisingly the essential dimension of the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit is...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JfjDXCuono&feature=youtu.be In this video cast Mike shares what married spiritual leaders with families should focus their primary ministry on if they expect to last over the long haul. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XELWxMnyu6Q...
Pastors, there’s a big difference between giving lip service to the Holy Spirit’s ministry in our churches - saying we value it, even preaching it - and making it a priority, making space to do it in your church services. In my years of pastoring...
I remember John Wimber, the founder of the Vineyard saying (only half jesting), “I hope I grow up before I grow old.” It was a big deal to him because one of the most important tasks in life is growing up. Becoming mature not just...