Devotions based on James Smith’s book, The Good and Beautiful Community We often are shaped by the narratives of this world rather than His kingdom. The world is concerned with self-preservation, personal happiness, and making sure our needs are met. Even churches can be more concerned about their own success and image than focusing on…

Devotions based on James Smith’s book, The Good and Beautiful Community All of us have friends or family that we would like to share our story with that they may be drawn into the life of faith. They are watching us all the time, and our actions are communicating for good or for ill. The…

Devotions based on James Smith’s book, The Good and the Beautiful Community Our lives are a witness to the world that we have something real and they want to know the reason we have hope. Some people are especially gifted at sharing their faith but we all are witnesses, even when we are not conscious…

Devotions based on James Smith’s book, The Good and Beautiful Community How do we keep a balance between spending time with God and caring for others? The author suggests spending 2 hours focused on God and 4 intentional acts for others. ( 2 by 4)  The time spent with God could be intentional as we…

Devotions based on James Smith’s book, The Good and Beautiful Community As we follow the Lord we need to avoid making rules and laws and trust the leading of the Spirit.  There can be a tendency to turn our individual, Spirit-led practices into corporate laws. Because we may be led to live in a poor…

Devotions based on James Smith’s book, The Good and Beautiful Community We are called a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people. I Peter 2:9.  Peculiar means different and strange and as Christians we should be different from the world. If we are truly following Jesus and led by the Holy…

Devotions from James Smith’s book, The Good and Beautiful Community This book has to do with learning how to love our neighbor as our self.  Any of us can do a wonderful act of service but if we do not do it in a spirit of love, it is of no value.  When we do…

Devotions based on Mark Buchanan’s book, Spiritual Rhythms In all of the seasons we go through we need to draw from the well of prayer.  Prayer is the key and the secret to opening the doors of the Kingdom.  Prayer is a privilege, not a duty.  It is not an act of exertion but a…

Devotions based on Mark Buchanan’s book, Spiritual Rhythms When we are dry and thirsty, we need to draw from the well of worship. The kind of worship He wants is worship in spirit and truth.  He desires that we seek Him in our inmost place and that we worship in truth.  It’s so much more…

Devotions based on Mark Buchanan’s book, Spiritual Rhythms There are times when we feel spiritually dry and we need a place of replenishment to quench our thirst; a place that gives life when all around us is desert. An example from the Bible is of Hagar when she fled from Sarai and found a spring…