Monthly Archives: March 2011

Looking for a good read? Then let me introduce you to a new page on RiverGroups.com called “Reading On The River.” You can find it in the header above. As you might expect, it’s a listing of books I’ve read and really liked. I … Continue reading →

I’m sure everyone reading this post has seen and heard about the devastation visited upon Japan just a few days ago. The recent news accounts paint a dire if not grim situation for the survivors of the stricken regions. I … Continue reading →

The passage of scripture that contains the phrase “Obedience is better than sacrifice” is found in I Samuel 15. Its context is where Samuel confronts Saul about his less than total obedience to God’s command. Saul was to completely destroy … Continue reading →

We left yesterday with the story of the rich people and the poor widow giving offerings in the temple. The rich gave what they were supposed to give and the widow gave everything she had. So between the rich and … Continue reading →

Carrying on the theme of the past couple of days, there is one verse in the Bible that has always given me fits. It’s found in I Samuel 15:22 and says “…Obedience is better than sacrifice…”  It is so natural … Continue reading →

Yesterday’s post was in large part inspired by something I read recently by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. In his book The Cost of Discipleship he wrote: Only the believers obey, and only the obedient believe. His thought was that most people instinctively … Continue reading →

Jesus commanded Peter to come to him. Peter walked on water. God commanded Abraham to sacrifice Isaac. Abraham laid him on the altar but sacrificed a ram God provided. God commanded Gideon to meet the entire Midian army with only 300 men. … Continue reading →

Over two weeks ago we began a journey to explore our mission. Since then we’ve discussed what it is and what it is not. We’ve looked at 3 common and potent distractions from our mission and how to avoid them. … Continue reading →

Yesterday we discussed how the popular almost-right theologies of today can lead us off our missional path. Tomorrow’s almost-right theologies may lead us down a different path, but just as far from our mission. So how do we keep the fad theology of the moment … Continue reading →

We left yesterday’s discussion describing how every age and every culture has a weak point which is exploited by theology that is almost-right. Today’s weak point isn’t too hard to spot. It’s a laser beam focus on the value of self. The culture we live … Continue reading →