Daily Journal

Where do you begin your spiritual journey? Do you think that church is an obvious place? But have you found that every church you encounter has “one true church” mentality to some degree or another? Perhaps this is not the best place to start. There are more basic questions about your own identity, and mine, where you belong, and what your purpose is to make a meaningful life.  These are an expression of universal spirituality because they are in the heart of everyone. These are the basic spiritual questions you cannot avoid. They can be answered in churches, but when dealing with new believers, let the questions be more prominent than selling your church as the right one. 

Daily Devotional Journal

Are you familiar with the idea of established churches? In a strict sense this refers to government supported and sanctioned churches. Formally established churches are becoming rarer throughout the world despite antidisestablishmentarianism. Yet even without direct government involvement churches are considered a part of “the establishment” for good reason. But I and my followers were not. We were outsiders. The establishment is comfortable and predictable, but it is not in a position to be an agent of transformation because it is invested in the current system. Are you prepared to bear my reproach outside the camp and join the revolution?

Daily Devotional Journal

Have you ever heard it said that you are never too old to learn? Do you really embrace this principle, or do you think that above a certain age you are exempt from learning new things? There is more to know than any one person can know, and the body of knowledge keeps increasing, so you should be selective in what you acquire, but this and age should not limit your appetite for learning. You expect children to be teachable. Do you have the humility to realize how much you do not know, and to seek it out, and to change in accordance with what you find out? Learning will keep you alive and growing at any age. 

Daily Devotional Journal

Do you ever feel that you love others more than they love you? You might be right. Perfect symmetry is rare in any relationship, and so one party will be more highly invested in it than the other is. Do you resent it when this happens, because you feel you are making a greater sacrifice and not receiving the same in return? But would you rather be the one who loves less? Love is the theme of the Bible and your goal as a believer. You are able to do it because I first loved you. Rejoice when you are able to love more, for great is your reward in heaven, and remember that in our relationship I am the one who is more loving, so in doing this for others you become more like me. Freely you have received, freely give.