Category: Mere Devotion
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By His Stripes: The Meaning of Salvation
Do you know what it means to be forgiven? It is no coincidence that the core of the Christian message, forgiveness, addresses some of the most deeply rooted emotional scars that cripple us as human beings in the world: guilt for past actions and shame that makes us question our worth. At times, we don’t…
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Gentleness: The Kingdom Revolution
Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory. (Isaiah 6:3) What does God’s glory look like? In the Hebrew Bible, kavod is often translated as glory, splendor, and abundance. God’s glory fills us with awe and inspires reverence, and thus we often think of it in cosmic, otherworldly…
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Kingdom Womanhood: Nourishing Body and Soul in a Wearying World
In this essay, I want to explore the question of Nourishment in relation to Service. The central question will be, “How should we care for ourselves, and how should we care for others? How are these related? In short, what is the gold standard for Christian ministry? How do we address the controversy surrounding “self…
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Kingdom Womanhood: Making Home and Haven Part 1
What was lost at creation was a place and a space of abundance, perfect communion, and glory. Adam and Eve were one with each other and one in God’s presence. As disciples saved from the power of Satan, we are brought once again in God’s place and space: the New Creation. It is even MORE…
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The Transformative Power of a Cross-Carrying Life
The call to “carry our cross” is… intense. I don’t know that talking and thinking about it means as much as just doing it, but then Jesus did leave us not only His example but also His words. We have to understand what He calls us to do; we have to count the cost. Reading…
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From leaven to loaf: the Kingdom in 2022
It’s quite interesting watching yeast at work. It is everywhere, ostensibly – on the peel of pears and grapes, in the air, etc. Medieval bakers did not quite know what it was, but they knew what it did. They would set a bowl of flour and water out in the field or under an apple…
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(Video) Courageous Love: The Story of Dirk Willems
When our survival instinct kicks in, it’s often every man and women for themselves. Yet, in the moment of crisis, one courageous young man, Dirk Willems, made a decision that cost him everything. He chose the way of love. The year was 1569. Holland was under the rule of the Spanish King Philip the Second.…
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(Video) Costly Discipleship: The Witness of Anna Jansz
What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus, to count the cost and carry our cross? Anna Jansz, a 16th century martyr, came to faith amidst chaos and revolution in 16th century Holland. She chose the way of Christ and loved not her life until death. In this, she demonstrated the courage and…
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(Video) Have we misunderstood the cross? An essay on spirituality and suffering
(First published on September 26, 2021) The way of the Cross means sacrifice, As to God you yield your all To be laid on the altar, the place of death, Where fire will surely fall. Mary E. Maxwell For a long time I was quite passionate about the idea that God calls us to take…
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Engaging Women with the Bible and Theology: Off-Script with Kristi Mast
How do we get women engaged in studying the Bible and theology? How do we get them on fire about faith and following Jesus? Kristi Mast is a Biblical Studies major passionate about community-situated discipleship and spiritual growth in her community. We sat down to have a wonderful conversation about women thriving and growing in…
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