Purpose

When Developing Character, Seek to Be a “Faithful Man to be Found”

When Developing Character, Seek to Be a “Faithful Man to be Found”

At its core, the Year of Listening Up is about developing character. It’s an annual project that’s an outgrowth of a book I wrote for my daughters, largely centered on the same ambition. Since Edwards made developing character a primary goal of his life, it made great...

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Spiritual warfare is very real. We must therefore pursue of broader discipleship so we can stand firm in our faith while in a world that wants to call us guilty as we are fulfilling a divine calling.

The Reality of Spiritual Warfare and The Battle for Your Heart

Spiritual warfare. It’s a term that conjures all sorts of visual representations. And it probably varies greatly by culture. I can’t claim to be all that knowledgeable about it, and I have kept my life mostly ignorant of the concept. I like to live in my little bubble...

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In Kingdom Citizen, Tony Evans presents a compelling case for renewed emphasis on the relationship of God in culture. We’ve forgotten a call to disciple believers and remember God as utmost in our lives. We’ve got to align ourselves under his covenantal rule.

God in Culture – a Book Review of Kingdom Citizen by Tony Evans

In Kingdom Citizen: Your Role in Rebuilding a Broken Nation , Tony Evans presents a compelling case for renewed emphasis on the relationship of God in culture. Moreover, he shows how, in our misguided pursuit of buildings and turnkey programs, we have forgotten a call...

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In The Life Giving Leader, Tyler Reagin pleads the case for learning to lead from your unique God-given design to help facilitate a similar pursuit in the lives of others.

Book Review – The Life Giving Leader by Tyler Reagin

In The Life Giving Leader: Learning to Lead from Your Truest Self, Tyler Reagin pleads the case for learning to lead from your unique God-given design to help facilitate a similar pursuit in the lives of others. With forwards by Andy Stanley and Craig Groeschel, the...

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Are you going through life and not really knowing how to live? The Bible talks about this, specifically in Ecclesiastes. I think of that book every time I hear Audioslave’s song, “Show Me How to Live.”

I Need Somebody to Show Me How to Live – for Real

One of the worst fates is going through life and not ever knowing how to live. I mean genuinely knowing how to live fully with freedom to be you and pursue your purpose. The Audioslave song, Show Me How To Live is one that always gets me pondering that premise. Some...

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The practice of self-examination is a key to refining life, on purpose. It is a heart matter that is not a matter of self-help. It’s why Edwards’s 41st resolution is one of intentionality.

Self-Examination is a Key to Refining Life, on Purpose

It’s safe to presume Jonathan Edwards was devoted to self-examination. Perhaps that’s one of the things that has made this the perfect topic for the year of listening up. That’s because, though 1Glories is ever-evolving, one element is pretty constant; “refining life,...

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The phrase, Christian Living is probably a publishing industry invention. But it may be one of the most important disciplines of our age. I think Jonathan Edwards’s first resolution captures this ideal for becoming more like the character of Christ and in frequent communion with God.

The Art of Christian Living – World but Not Worldly

I tried to find the origin of the phrase, Christian Living. I failed. It’s not overly surprising to me. However, I have seen it in many avenues over the last several months, so I thought there was a chance. But the art of Christian Living may be one of the most...

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When we ask for “your kingdom come” in the Lord’s prayer, what are we asking? Yes, God has promised his chosen a kingdom. But how are you preparing yourself to enter it? Transform us oh Lord, so we might be prepared to enter into it, along with a multitude of nations.

Your Kingdom Come And The Multitude Of Nations Who Shall Enter It

In modeling the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus taught us to seek “Your Kingdom Come.” This is probably viewed by most as a bringing of Heaven to earth. In other words, it’s something we long for in a future tense. What is forgotten or ignored, though, is the present perspective...

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Baseball great, Roberto Clemente, had a saying about wasting time, and it rings true in light of Jonathan Edwards’ fifth resolution. He used to say “Anytime you have an opportunity to make things better and you don't, then you are wasting your time on this Earth.”

Are You Okay Wasting Time When You Can Be a Part of Something Bigger?

He feared he was wasting time. It was New Year’s Eve in 1972 and Roberto Clemente boarded a plane intended to bring aid to Nicaragua following a terrible earthquake. It was overloaded, but was determined to get supplies to the quarter-million lives that were now...

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