The biggest barrier to embracing limits is that some people will be more gifted or blessed than we are. If we’re not careful, this will open the door to envy — which can be tremendously destructive to ourselves and others. But through the parable for The Prodigal Son, Jesus invites us to become people who “rejoice with those who rejoice” as we recognise the depth of His love for us.
Sometimes God’s purposes for setting limits in our lives are obvious. But often, the purposes of limits aren’t readily apparent to us. They can seem illogical or counterintuitive. However, these mysterious limits create space for God to work in our lives and remind us of our ultimate dependence on Him
The world is chronically busy. Our attempts to fit in more and more activity have led to widespread exhaustion and burnout. Thankfully, this isn't how Jesus wants us to live. In fact, being a follower of Jesus often means learning to resist the frantic busyness of our culture and embracing the easy yoke of Jesus.
While we naturally resist limits, we follow a Saviour who embraced limits more than anyone — subjecting Himself to the limitations of being human and dying on a cross. As His followers, we follow His example to embrace limits — not out of a harsh legalism, but because limits allow our relationship with Jesus to thrive.
All of us face limits in our lives: whether it’s a physical limit, a financial limit, or a limit in our talents and abilities. While our natural response to limits is to resist them and overcome them, what if limits are a gift to be embraced rather than a barrier to be overcome?
Many believe that money is the secret to happiness. But is that true? Scripture and studies have shown that the practice of generosity actually results in the best quality of life. A lifestyle of generosity frees us from the power of greed and brings deeper joy and contentment.
Our consumer culture constantly bombards us with adverts trying to convince us that their products will make our lives better. But the path to true life isn’t found in more stuff — it’s found in God alone. Embracing a lifestyle of simplicity breaks the stronghold of our consumer culture in our lives and enables us to find true contentment in God.
Many believe that money is the secret to happiness. But is that true? Scripture and studies have shown that the practice of generosity actually results in the best quality of life. A lifestyle of generosity frees us from the power of greed and brings deeper joy and contentment.
Money has great potential for good, but can also bring destruction when it takes the wrong place in our hearts. So what is it that defines our relationship with money and how can we make sure that we master our finances, rather than our finances mastering us?
“How are you doing?” It’s a question we ask each other every day, but rarely do we actually pause to assess how we’re really doing. In the final part of this series, John Eldredge invites us to notice our internal barometers that tell us if our soul is doing well or poorly, and embrace the simple daily practices that will help us experience the life that Jesus promised us.
Sadly, most Christians have been given the impression that the sum total of the Christian life is faith, obedience, and service. These are all necessary and good things, but Jesus invites us into something far more thrilling and beautiful -- UNION with Him. In this video teaching, John Eldredge describes the astonishing intimacy that is available with God and the practice of simply loving God which helps make it a daily experience.
The relentless pace of modern life means that we rarely pause to address the emotional impact of life's setbacks, disappointments, and heartbreaks. Over time, this avoidance will inevitably impact our relationship with God and others. But how do we deal with these painful places? In this video teaching, John Eldredge explains how to care for the neglected places in our souls.
Research has shown that the average persons spends 93% of their life indoors — often in environments that are almost entirely artificial. Deep down, we know our souls don’t thrive in these artificial environments, but it feels impossible to escape. In this week’s video teaching, John Eldredge encourages us to embrace the practice of getting outside on a daily basis — even for just a few minutes — in order to restore our souls and help us connect with God.
Receiving God’s love, restoration, and connection hinges on our ability to give Him our attention. But in our modern world, our attention is increasingly fragmented by our highly addictive technology. In this video teaching, John Eldredge encourages us to practice “unplugging” to create moments of sacred space every day to give God our attention.
We weren’t made to live at the relentless pace of our modern world. What we assume is a normal lifestyle is actually insanity to our hearts and souls. So how do we combat the relentless pace of the world and get our lives back? In this video teaching, John Eldredge encourages us to begin learning how to simply “be” with God through the practice of the One Minute Pause.
There are two temptations when it comes to politics: to see them as irrelevant or to see them as our salvation. So how should Christians relate to politics? Todd encourages us to engage in politics as a way of loving our neighbour — both by voting and by praying.
We live in a time when masculinity is shamed. It’s seen as something dangerous or toxic. But that’s not how God sees it. He’s created men to use their strength like Jesus did — who came not to be served but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many. That is the essence of healthy masculinity.
What happens when the storms of life come? Ian and Katrina Merton share their story of having their home flooded and its far-reaching impact on their family. As a result of the loss and upheaval, they’ve gained a fresh understanding of God’s ability to bring restoration. Their story is full of wisdom and hope for anyone who is facing the storms of life.
Summer tends to be a time when you have cultural permission to live at a slower pace of life — which is a great opportunity to receive the restoration our souls so desperately need. But for many of us, summer can slip by in a frenzy of activity and leave us more exhausted and depleted. But what if we asked God what He has for us this summer? What if we allowed Him to challenge our assumptions and agreements so that we can experience the restoration only He can give?
As we continue to celebrate Pentecost, guest speaker Barry Manson looked at 4 things the early church experienced through the giving of the Holy Spirit: God's restoration, God's compassion, God's commission, and God's presence. We can experience those same things today as we learn to welcome the Holy Spirit into our lives.
