Out of the Chaos
Inspiration for living outside of the chaos.
Tag: Christian
Daily Reads 04.25.2019
It doesn’t matter if you follow the rules or if you look like someone else or if you make yourself miserable to tame your propensity to sin. It matters if you are being transformed into the likeness of Christ. Read: Galatians 6:15-16 The way in which God transforms your heart is up to him. It …
Daily Reads 04.22.2019
What does it mean to follow Jesus? If it isn’t found in following rules and it isn’t found in a life of self-denial and it isn’t about mysterious experiences, what is it? Read: Matthew 16:24; John 10:27; John 13:34-35 If I could summarize the verses above, it would sound like this: Stop thinking about only …
Daily Reads 04.19.2019
We aren’t obligated to a list of rules when we follow Jesus, nor are we asked to practice any of form of penitential discipline to strengthen our will against sin. The final practice Paul warns against is MYSTICISM. Mysticism is spiritual intuition outside of normal or ordinary understanding obtained through the use of intermediaries (angels, …
Daily Reads 04.18.2019
Following Jesus does not mean adhering to a long list of rules and regulations (legalism) designed to control our behavior so we are right with God. Jesus makes us right with God; we don’t have to work for righteousness. Reading: Colossians 2:18, 23 The second thing Paul said to get rid of in our quest …
Daily Reads 04.17.2019
Read: Colossians 2:16-17 The first thing Paul warns against in following Christ is LEGALISM. Legalism is defined as strictly following the “letter of the law” rather than the spirit. It is following the rules without embracing the spirit of something. For example, church attendance is an excellent tool for growing in our faith. It is …
Jesus Alone – You bet!
I have always been a very devout person. I think my personality, my experiences – and perhaps my birth order – combined in me so that I always wanted to be “good.” I followed the rules (except once in fourth grade I stretched the truth so I could go to an event my mom didn’t …
Daily Reads 04.14.2019
Read: Colossians 2:2-4; 6-7 I do not do well with house plants. They die. It’s just that simple. Unless it is a cactus that doesn’t require much care or attention. I don’t seem to have the touch. Orchids are especially troubling to me. I know their roots need special attention…not too much water, but enough; …
Daily Reads 04.13.2019
As we celebrate community today, I think on Paul’s words in Colossians 1:28-29. He says that he works so hard because he wants to present others to Christ “perfect.” That’s a confusing word. In our language, it means never doing anything wrong, always getting it right, all T’s crossed, all i’s dotted. In Greek, the …
Daily Reads 04.13.2019
Who doesn’t love a secret? Right now I am enjoying the secret of knowing my unborn granddaughter’s name. We talk to her, using her name when no one is around. But it’s a secret. Some people don’t like secrets. They are the type who look for their gifts before Christmas, birthdays or Valentine’s Day. Maybe …
Daily Reads 04.12.2019
So many situations in life require an ongoing commitment in order to be successful. Marriage requires a commitment to the vows we made. Raising children requires an ongoing commitment to their well-being and success. Successful transition in a job requires commitment to the goals of the company/ministry. The same commitment is necessary in our relationship …
Out of the Chaos 