But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you yet with gentleness and reverence; and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame.  1 Peter 3: 14-16

Monday, 11 July 2016 05:30

Definitions Matter Featured

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I was talking with a church friend the other day about matters of the faith, and he said, "definitions matter." He hit on a really important truth: sloppy definitions lead to sloppy theology. And sloppy theology leads to sloppy life-application and a muddled worldview.
 
The biblical definitions behind the Christian terminology we use matter because
Published in Faith Actually
Friday, 08 July 2016 10:00

The Humility Paradox: Keeping it Real...or Just Really Awful?

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Here's a paradoxical truth: True humility exudes confidence. 
Yep. The most humble person you'll ever meet will at the same time be the absolute most confident, most assured person you'll ever meet!How can this be?Because humility, in its purest form, is to seek your identity not in yourself, but in your Savior. For if you have truly died to
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Friday, 24 June 2016 05:27

Confessions of a Recovering People-Pleaser

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...We endeavor—by His grace—to live not as "people-pleasers, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart." (Eph 6:6)

...We are not trying to please people, but God, who tests our hearts. (1 Thess 2:4)

I have spent a good deal of my life struggling with people-pleasing. I have wanted people to like me, to accept me,

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Thursday, 02 June 2016 15:59

Spiritual Spin-Mastery: A Slippery Slope Featured

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It's common knowledge that news anchors, journalists, political pundits, and the like, often quote a person's statement in partial form, or out of context, in order to put their own spin on it. This use of spin is usually intended to create impact, to sell a story, to push an agenda, or even to slander. In other words, spin is always used with an
Published in Faith Actually
Tuesday, 15 March 2016 09:27

Why Christians Should Stop Seeking Their Life's Purpose

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Since Rick Warren published his all-time best-selling book, The Purpose Driven Life,[1] over ten years ago, vast numbers of Christians have been on an eager quest to discover their life's purpose. Pastor Warren was careful in his book to make a distinction between worldly goals and godly ones and pointed out that he wasn't urging Christians
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Wednesday, 03 February 2016 10:34

Ten Ways to Distinguish the Voice of Darkness from the Word of Light Featured

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The voice of darkness makes me shudder. But it's not an eerie moan or ghastly wailing that chills my soul. I do not shudder from fear. I shudder because the voice of darkness tickles my ears pleasantly with cheerful sounds—and I know that its siren songs lead many astray (2 Tim 4:3).For the voice might tell us to think positive thoughts. How
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Thursday, 17 December 2015 10:37

The Good Dinosaur: Hindu Gods for Children

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Our guest blogger, Marcia Montenegro, is a former astrologer who spent 20 years practicing New Age spirituality. After she became a Christian, she founded Christian Answers for the New Age. Her insights are invaluable in discerning occult influences in mainstream secular society and even within the Church.

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Saturday, 05 December 2015 06:03

The Essence of Advent

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The Latin word, adventus, means "coming." The advent season is about preparing our hearts, minds, and spirits for the coming of the King. But what does this really mean?Is it about celebrating Jesus' birthday? Is it about keeping Christ in Christmas by displaying nativity scenes and retelling the story of Jesus' birth? Is it about singing carols,
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Thursday, 05 November 2015 16:41

The Last Lecture: Life or Lie?

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Soon after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and being given months to live, 47-year-old Randy Pausch, a computer science professor at Carnegie Mellon, gave a stirring speech to his students in what soon became famously coined as, "The Last Lecture." The lecture went viral. Dr. Pausch appeared on Oprah to deliver a condensed version of his
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Monday, 12 October 2015 06:24

The Real Zombie Apocolypse: The Rise of Mindfulness Featured

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What would it be like to live among a generation of people who've grown up in a mild hypnotic state, having been psychologically conditioned not to question what is right or wrong, but instead to ignore their consciences and detach themselves from their thoughts? Perhaps a bit like living in a nation of zombies. And it might not be long before we

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Friday, 14 August 2015 05:58

The New Normal and the Future of Sound Judgment Featured

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There is currently war being waged against the practice of sound moral judgment in our society. Secular author and radio host, Tammy Bruce, in her book, The Death of Right and Wrong, puts it this way:

How best to change Americans’ fundamental values? How best to indoctrinate you into a culture that grows sicker and more corrupt by the

Published in Faith Actually