One of the values we hold dear in Whole Life Worship is the transformation. We believe that Christ not only came to bring us eternal life, but abundant life, as well. This abundant life occurs as we are changed or transformed by the power of Christ through His Spirit who dwells within us. The theological … Continue reading Sanctification or Sanitization?

  Recently I felt under spiritual attack. No, I wasn’t spinning my head or spitting up pea soup, but I might as well have. My mind was filled with all sorts of lies, fears, and misconceptions. My mouth was filled with ugly accusations, manipulation, self-righteousness and vindictiveness. And in the process I was (unwittingly) taking … Continue reading HALT the Spiritual Attack

I’m going to discuss the topic that no one really likes to talk about – sin. It seems that we avoid talking about sin or we joke about it or we inflate it (like, “Oh, I’m the worst sinner in the world!”), but very rarely do we really confront it. And yet, nothing keeps us … Continue reading Unrooting the Root of Sin

It is good to dwell upon God’s grace. Many songs and scores of sermons are written about God’s unconditional love for us; love that drove Him to take the cross for us, love that bore our sin and shame. It is also wonderful to meditate upon our great salvation: how we were spared from an … Continue reading You Are God’s Work of Art

I had an interesting phone conversation with a friend the other day. He was driving down the freeway (using his “hands-free” device, of course) when, all of a sudden, a large truck pulled out in front of him. “I can’t believe that truck pulled in front of me and blocked me in!” he exclaimed. I … Continue reading Blocked Goals!

Here’s a topic we are all-too familiar with: being overwhelmed! Whether it is the added stresses to a normal day or being hit with an unexpected emergency or falling behind on a project, the feeling is the same: this sense of dread, confusion and loss of hope. Our human coping mechanisms to “being overwhelmed” are … Continue reading Overwhelmed!

I remember a day when I was quite upset with one of my sons. He made a request that disrupted my plans. I was angry for a number of “good reasons.” I stewed it over for several moments. I determined in my heart that I would not lash out at my son, but make this … Continue reading Taming the Tongue

(This is part of a series on “Personal Worship” in the Whole Life Worship paradigm that started on 02/18/13) A few weeks ago I spent one Sabbath day looking over journal entries from 1998.  It was eye opening to relive the events of that year from the perspective of my relationship with God. I was … Continue reading Chronicling the Journey through Journaling

(This is part of a series on “Personal Worship” in the Whole Life Worship paradigm that started on 02/18/13) Yesterday I talked about prayer as a two-way communication between us and God. One of the wonderful privileges of prayer is that we can come to God “just as we are.” The blood of Christ gives … Continue reading Growing in Prayer through the Psalms (Daily Office)

(This is part of a series on “Personal Worship” in the Whole Life Worship paradigm that started on 02/18/13) What makes Personal Worship personal is prayer. Prayer is our conversation with God. What I want to focus on today is the fact that any good conversation is two-way. Prayer is not just talking to God; … Continue reading Prayer: Two-Way Conversation