By Spiritual Formation on 3/12/2008 3:20 PM

Hey guys, this is Luke Shortridge. I do a number of things in the Spiritual Formation ministry but my primary job is hanging out with college students while pointing their hearts towards Christ. I’m not exactly sure what I am going to do with this blog in the long run but for now I wanted to share something with you all from my daily devotion.
 
1 Corinthians 4:11-13 Even now we go hungry and thirsty, and we don’t have enough clothes to keep warm. We are often beaten and have no home. We work wearily with our own hands to earn our living. We bless those who curse us. We are patient with those who abuse us. We appeal gently when evil things are said about us. Yet we are treated like the world’s garbage, like everybody’s trash—right up to the present moment. (NLT)
 
What does persecution look like for the Christian in America today? I guess asking that question as ... Read More »

By Spiritual Formation on 3/12/2008 3:20 PM

I love reading blogs but I have never posted my own blog.  I have commented on others and it always gives me a little thrill to think of the number of people that may read my ideas.  So here we go, I can’t wait to hear what you all think and to dialogue as we all do life.

- Mike Knisely

By Spiritual Formation on 3/12/2008 3:20 PM

Some days are a struggle
Some days are better
Some hours seem like days
Some days seem like hours
Jesus knows time but is not held by it
Today I will live on His time
For I was created for HIM

- Mike Knisely

By Spiritual Formation on 3/12/2008 3:20 PM

One of the best features of blogging is the incredible opportunity we, as a spiritual formation staff, have to interact with you.  We are excited about the wonderful avenues for spiritual growth available to you this fall.  In addition, we are eagerly anticipating the time when we will be able to roll out some of the exciting plans or 2008.
 
It's not so much the classes or seminars that provide the excitement, rather, it's knowing that you have the numerous opportunities to grow in your faith. That's our challenge, but it's ultimately your choice.   Will you grow or won't you?  If you are ready to make that choice, we'll do whatever is necessary to help you grow in your faith.
 
Just so you know - I love my job!
 
Blessings,
Barb

By Spiritual Formation on 3/12/2008 3:20 PM

Grace, Gods Grace.  Grace has totally changed my life, totally.  Author & Pastor Bill Hybles when telling the story of his spiritual journey says that Grace wrecked his life.  This expression of Grace wrecking his life caused me to really reflect on how Grace has changed my life.  Like the idea of what would I do if I only had 30 Days left to live, how would my life change?  Grace has totally altered my eternity and then it touches me every day even on the days that I don’t probably deserve it, but then have I ever really deserved Gods total forgiveness.  Ephesians 2:8-9 is clear that salvation, Grace is not a reward for what ever good I do but it is a “special favor” given by God alone.  How has Gods Grace changed your life how does Gods favor effect the way you live each day?  If this idea of Grace, Gods total forgiveness is new to you let us know, we would love to talk with you.
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By Spiritual Formation on 3/12/2008 3:20 PM

Hey guys, I recently collected some questions from the Bible Essential’s class that I wanted to share with everyone. Here are three common questions people have asked me about the Bible and my responses. Enjoy!
 
Should I read the Bible from start to finish?
 
This is not recommended if this is the first time you have ever read the Bible because the Bible is not ordered chronologically! Plus, many Old Testament books are confusing… and to be honest a little dry… even though they contain incredible and very useful insights. If you are reading for the first time, I suggest reading two NT books to every one OT book until you become more familiar with the text as a whole.
 
I do not suggest Bible bingo however! You know what I'm talking about, "Okay God... speak to me... right... here!" (as you flop the book open to a random page) Pick a book and read ... Read More »

By Spiritual Formation on 3/12/2008 3:20 PM

Hey guys, this is Luke again. I had a couple more questions in my Bible Essentials class that I would like to share with everyone… Enjoy!
 
 
Why in the New Testament did Jesus heal the sick but tell them not to tell others?
 
Good question. To be honest, I can only speculate here. If someone claims to know the mind of Christ completely, along with his motivations… I personally think they are nuts! But, with that said… let’s take a look at the New Testament.
 
First of all, Jesus does not always tell the people who he performed miracles on to keep quiet. In Mark 5, Jesus heals a man possessed by many demons. After the exorcism, Jesus says,
 
"Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you." So the man went away and began to ... Read More »

By Spiritual Formation on 3/12/2008 3:20 PM

Are there Contradictions in the Bible?

Many people love to write off the Bible as being irrelevant and stocked full of contradictions. The following may seem like a bold statement on my part… and even some fellow Christians would disagree completely with what I am about to say…

There are no contradictions in the Bible.

Okay, now that I’ve thrown that monster out there… let’s back track and explain a bit.

Reason why you probably think I’m full of it #1: Different copies of the Bible are not identical.

We don’t have the originals (they have disintegrated) but we do have copies of the originals. The differences between these copies are not major… For the most part there is a letter or two of difference per page. I’m not talking paragraphs of differences here, but inaccuracies do exist between the manuscripts. Where differences in the copies occur, most modern translations will put a ... Read More »

By Spiritual Formation on 3/12/2008 3:20 PM

Hi Leaders! We are very excited to introduce this blog as a tool for you. We have received positive feedback from our question and answer time during the leaders rally and hope to extend that time by using this blog. Communicating with other leaders can offer us encouragement, ideas and even solutions to some of the difficulties we encounter. We would love for you to post questions you may have about leading your group, and  we hope that  you leaders will  be the ones to offer up suggestions and answers. How cool is it that we can learn from each others experience. Let's get started!!!

-Ben Bockert

By Spiritual Formation on 3/12/2008 3:20 PM