Darkened Glass Reflections

Category: Spiritual disciplines

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

    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.

  • Storing Up God’s Word—Psalm 119:9–11

    Storing Up God’s Word—Psalm 119:9–11

    Although Psalm 119:9 refers to “young men,” this passage is not reserved for a certain age group. All can benefit from this wisdom. Young men, young women, old men, and old women all need to keep our ways pure, and the answer is true for all of us.

  • Man Does Not Live by Bread Alone

    Man Does Not Live by Bread Alone

    Those who fast during Lent reflect on Jesus’ fasting and temptation in the wilderness for 40 days after His baptism in the Jordan River. As Jesus prepared to begin His public ministry, He was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil, and ate nothing for 40 days.

  • Transfiguration, Glorification, and the Christian Life

    Transfiguration, Glorification, and the Christian Life

    Perhaps the great lesson of Lent is that we miss out as we continue to devote our time, resources, and energy to trivial things, when God is eager to pour out His blessings upon us and conform us to His likeness. We are His children: may we come to look more like Him as we…

  • Principles of Fasting

    Jesus expects His disciples to fast. In the passage at the top of this article, Jesus did not say, “If you fast.” He clearly said, “When you fast.” For a true disciple, the question is not whether you will fast or not. It is when and how you will fast.

  • Fellowship

    Mindless chitchat or casual conversation about the weather and news does not equal fellowship. Fellowship begins when two or more people share their hearts, souls, innermost feelings and ideas, and struggles.

  • Daily Prayer for God’s Presence and Guidance

    There are many ways in which we can never hope to be like Jesus; He was God in human form and the Savior of the world, two of many things we can never become. However, He was also a man of prayer, and this is one aspect of Jesus’ personality we can all learn to…

  • How to Read and Study the Bible

    This article will provide guidelines and suggestions for reading and understanding God’s Word and applying its truths to everyday life. It is a basic primer for the new believer or novice Bible student, and provides basic suggestions for anybody who wants to develop a more effective approach to Bible reading.

  • Finding Time for God

    Good time managers recognize the need to set priorities. You must choose to allocate time for the things that are most important to you. The Bible tells us that a wise disciple of Jesus will “redeem the time,” making the most of it (Ephesians 5:16). This begins by setting aside time to commune with God.

  • Lent: A Time of Renewal

    Lent is not just about fasting. It should not be a season for meaningless ritualized self-denial, but a time when we renew our dedication to Christ.