Darkened Glass Reflections

Category: Christian Life

Putting on the Armor of God: St. Patrick’s Breastplate

I share a few thoughts about “St. Patrick’s Breastplate,” in relation to the whole armor of God and the breastplate of righteousness.

October 2, 2018
Your Best Life, NOT Now—Second Corinthians 4:16–18

God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life, but it is not necessarily your plan, and it does not guarantee “your best life now.”

September 2, 2018
Merely Human?—1 Corinthians 3:1–4

Divisiveness and conflict are signs of spiritual immaturity. God calls us to live as children of God, not to act like we are “merely human.”

August 26, 2018
Growing Up in Christ. II: Maturity in Christ—1 Corinthians 14:20

God is calling us to think like adults and live like mature men and women of God. What steps can you take to move closer to that goal today?

August 21, 2018
Growing Up in Christ. I: Beyond Carnality—1 Corinthians 14:20

Renewal of the Christian’s mind, by the leading of the Holy Spirit, has a goal. God is seeking to raise us from spiritual immaturity to maturity. The Word of God calls us to mature thinking and living, not immaturity. While Jesus calls us to childlike faith (Mark 10:15; Matthew 18:3; Luke 18:17), He calls us…

August 19, 2018
Setting Your Mind Where It Belongs—Romans 8:5–6

Romans 8 contrasts two lives: The life “according to the Spirit” (the life of a true follower of Jesus) and the life “according to the flesh” (the life of one who does not have a real relationship with Him). It is interesting to place these two lives side-by-side.

August 12, 2018
In One Accord—Acts 1:12–14

Jesus did not call the disciples to rely on their natural abilities or resources. They had already failed many times when they tried to serve Him that way. Pentecost would bring a new beginning. Old expectations were set aside. A renewed people, united in faith and prayer, would proclaim the resurrection of Jesus and kingdom…

August 5, 2018
New Reformation or Personal Reformation

Perhaps the Church does not need a New Reformation. The problems within the church are problems with human nature. New church structures will not eradicate them. Rethinking theology may actually multiply them. Each of us, as individual believers in Christ, need our own personal New Reformation. We need to daily recommit ourselves to saying “yes”…

June 20, 2018
New Reformation or Right Teaching?

Is it time for a New Reformation? From time to time, a Christian preacher or teacher (perhaps claiming the authority of an apostle or prophet) will claim that the church has grown so lukewarm or apostate that we need a new reformation.

June 18, 2018
Pure Passion—Psalms 119:131

Many Christians miss out on God’s blessings because we do not crave them with this addicted passion. We are torn between Christianity as a hobby and passion for the things of this world.

June 10, 2018