Darkened Glass Reflections

Category: Christian Life

  • Called to Be Saints—1 Corinthians 1:2

    Called to Be Saints—1 Corinthians 1:2

    When we think of the great saints of church history (such as Saint Patrick, Saint Francis of Assisi, etc.), let us remember our place in the body of Christ. We should not merely honor and commemorate the great saints of church history; we are challenged to imitate them, because we also are called to be…

  • Be a Barnabas

    Be a Barnabas

    Be the person who encourages and inspires others so that they can achieve the great things God has planned for them. We need people who will help us let go of the past, pursue the future that God desires for us, and change lives and hearts by bringing the kingdom of God wherever we go.

  • 2020: The Year So Far

    2020: The Year So Far

    Following up on my New Year’s Day post referring to 2020 as “The Year of Vision,” this post looks at a few lessons learned so far.

  • Act, Speak, and Pray

    Act, Speak, and Pray

    Many years ago, when I was in seminary, I had several conversations with a retired Baptist minister. In one of our conversations, he offered this word of wisdom: “I refuse to pray any prayer unless I am willing to be the answer to that prayer.” Let us not use prayer as an excuse not to…

  • 2020: A Year of Vision

    2020: A Year of Vision

    Maybe, as you are reading this and beginning a new year, you sense that God is calling you to something greater than the usual New Year’s resolutions in 2020. Perhaps He is calling you to bring your hopes, dreams, and visions to Him, align them with His vision for your life, and allow His wisdom…

  • First Sunday of Advent: One Year, One Thing

    First Sunday of Advent: One Year, One Thing

    “If every year we would root out one vice, we would soon become perfect men.” In this post, I invite the reader to think of one sin that they want to overcome and commit it to the Lord in the coming year.

  • Five Books Every Christian Should Read (Besides the Bible)

    Five Books Every Christian Should Read (Besides the Bible)

    I discuss five books that have helped shape my walk with the Lord.

  • Abiding in the Vine: II. Staying Connected to Christ and His People

    Abiding in the Vine: II. Staying Connected to Christ and His People

    The branches of a vine or tree need the rest of the plant, including the other branches. Christians cannot expect to live out our faith alone. We need other Christians to help keep us connected to Christ.

  • Abiding in the Vine: I. An Introduction

    Abiding in the Vine: I. An Introduction

    We can learn several key lessons from Jesus’ parable of the vine and branches. These are lessons of entire sanctification, perfect conformity, absolute dependence, and undoubting confidence.

  • Milking Spiritual Authority: II. Growing Outward

    Milking Spiritual Authority: II. Growing Outward

    “So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good” (1 Peter 2:1–3; part 2 of a series).