“He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for him who died for them and was raised again.”- 2 Corinthians 5:15 As authors Charles and Janet Morris continue Chapter 1 of Missing Jesus, they state that transforming our small, self-centered world into an “all about Jesus” universe requires […]
“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise.”- Revelation 5:12 As Charles and Janet Morris continue Chapter 1 (“Who is Worthy of My Life?”) of Missing Jesus, they tell of the time they were in a South Asian neighborhood of London, […]
In the Introduction to Missing Jesus: Find Your Life in His Great Story, authors Charles and Janet Morris of Haven Ministries note that we decide to read a particular book based on our answer to one basic question: “What’s in it for me?” What we don’t need, they emphasize, is another book that’s all about […]
All In (Zondervan, 2013) Prior to the September, 2014 publication of The Grave Robber, All In was Pastor Mark Batterson’s most recent book. From the start, the author boldly asserts that “Jesus didn’t die to keep us safe. He died to make us dangerous.” In other words, we cannot live as if the purpose of […]
“Grace is loving people for who they are, where they are. It’s loving people before they change, not just after they change. And that grace is the difference between holier and holier than thou. Holiness, in its purest form, is irresistible.”- Mark Batterson Mark Batterson concludes Chapter 16 of All In by presenting an alternative […]
As author Mark Batterson continues Chapter 16 of All In, he asks what idol provokes us to jealousy. Pastor Batterson defines the idol that provokes to jealousy as “anything that diverts our attention from God, our affection for God, or our reliance on God. It’s anything that consumes more time or money than our pursuit of […]
“The Spirit lifted me up between earth and heaven and in visions of God he took me to Jerusalem, to the entrance of the north gate of the inner court, where the idol that provokes to jealousy stood.”-Ezekiel 8:3 “There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which […]
“For where you treasure is, there your heart will be also.”- Matthew 6:21 “You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving.”- Mark Batterson As Mark Batterson concludes Chapter 15 of All In, he observes that “it is much easier to act like a Christian than it is to react like one. Pastor […]
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.”- Galatians 5:22 “Only one life, ’twill soon be past; only what’s done for Christ will last.”- C. T. Studd In Chapter 15 (“Thirty Pieces of Silver”) of All In, author Mark Batterson cites a 1972 Stanford University study, popularly known […]
“If you don’t find your identity and security in what Christ has accomplished for you on the cross, you will try to hide your insecurities behind your hypocrisies.”- Mark Batterson As Mark Batterson concludes Chapter 14 of All In, he states that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego did not defend themselves against King Nebuchadnezzar’s order. They […]
As Mark Batterson continues Chapter 14 of All In, he tells a story of the time his family vacationed at a friend’s home that was nestled in a densely wooded area. They were warned about brown bears in the area that would show up looking for food. One evening, while Mark was soaking in the […]
Chapter 14 (“Take a Stand”) of All In is based on the Old Testament account of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (Daniel 3), specifically their refusal to bow down to the ninety-foot-tall statue of King Nebuchadnezzar. As author Mark Batterson notes, near-death experiences, especially in a literal fiery furnace, “often become defining moments in our lives.” […]