Serious About Scripture

Mentoring and motivating Christ’s people to live his words

Inclinations Toward Art and What Shapes Them

When you visit an art museum, what appeals to you? For me, among the various genres of art and subjects of any one presentation, I am most drawn to what is beautiful or majestic or inspiring, and is realistic and revealing of the true nature of things, or perhaps the true inner nature of things. I don’t mind the idealizing of some of these paintings. The caustic, crude, and often ugly paintings for stark idealogical messaging are generally ruled out…

Confessionism: The Misuse of 1 John 1:9

Do you believe that you must confess every known sin to God? For many years earlier in my ministry, I made statements such as the following: “In order to be restored to fellowship with God and to be filled with the Spirit you must confess every known sin to God.” What am I to think of such instructions now? Sadly, this teaching adds a layer of requirement for our forgiveness not intended by God. And it may lead to confusion…

A Strategy for an Extended Time of Corporate Praying and Singing

*Below is a possible way to enjoy a time of corporate prayer with your church. We followed this pattern on a Wednesday evening, taking a little less than two hours (including a break). We had people sit in groups of 5 or 6 and encouraged them to face the musicians whenever singing. I guided our church through this night along with two musicians. Other “seasons of prayer” could have been included, but this is what was chosen for this particular…

The Last Forty-five Minutes

He was lying down, gasping. It was his own bed and it was his time. Forty-five minutes from this moment he would die. Beside him sat his wife in the overstuffed leather chair that had been pulled close for the final event. She had been there all night. She sat on the edge as she patted his hand and tried to soothe him—disheveled, wide-eyed with simmering panic, twitching, pleading. It had been the hardest night of her life. The hospice…