In order to grow and maintain peace and unity, the atmosphere of a congregation must be constantly monitored. Encouragement builds warmth and strength while negativity spreads disunity and suspicion.
The leadership of a local congregation has a responsibility to create a desirable climate so people feel comfortable. Things grow much better in the sun then they do in the shade.
We must be very clear that negativity in this article does not refer to standing for truth.
How can we grow the church if we are not prepared spiritually to do so? If we are acting like spoiled children, we cannot represent Christ. Find out how spiritual growth is the real answer to church growth!
The one thing needed by most congregations of the Lord’s Church doesn’t cost a penny. We can put millions into new buildings, exciting entertainment and comedians in the pulpit.
However, the problems are internal and they are causing great damage among God’s people. The importance of spiritual maturity in our Christian lives cannot be overestimated.
Without it, we can destroy the Lord’s work in the communities we serve. Spiritually immature Christians are deadly to the work of the Church. They bring the sins of the flesh into the Lord’s body and we fight, argue, divide and misrepresent Christ to the world.
Gertie awakened into a world familiar and bleak. Her faded wallpaper and antiquated bed brought no cheer to her mornings. She put her feet on the faded carpet and met the day.
Walking down the hall to the bathroom, her younger brother threw a toy at her, hitting her in the side. She yelped and threw it back. She passed her parent’s room and saw her Mom sitting on the bed, digging in her sewing box.
The preacher uses words to deliver the message of the gospel. They are the brush he wields to paint the vibrant colors of heaven, the vivid reds of the cross and the victories of salvation.
I wonder, though, how many preachers make the connection between their commission and the mastery of language. A novelist lives and dies by the power of words in order to produce more compelling prose.
While preachers and writers differ in their medium, they should share the same vision of changing the world around them.
I am using Christian fiction to teach Bible lessons instead of always using non-fiction in my columns.
It is common for Christian writers to begin with an illustration and then leave it to get to the meat of the Bible teaching. Carrying the illustration through the entire piece is not something I have read before, with any regularity. It has been well-received, so far.
I love writing these pieces. They come easily to me. I start with an idea and the story flows. I am slowly working on a novel, so this helps train me in this new genre.
Jesus used parables and stories, so there is a long history of using narrative to illustrate Biblical truth. Moreover, Christian fiction is huge right now. However, Christian short fiction is not as popular.
Here is a listing of what I have had published, so far.
Books come in different forms and serve various purposes. Some books are read, then shelved so they can be retrieved during times of difficulty. Like poems and Psalms, they wrap us in a protective coat and inspire us to persevere. With wisdom and guidance, they offer us a gentle push and help change our perspectives on life.
J. Randal Matheny’s book, Choose! 13 Choices to Transform Your Heart and Soul is one such book. It is a short but powerful book of devotional thoughts designed to spur our thinking and help us develop a healthier outlook on our daily lives.
[Read my interview with Randal]
Matheny writes about personal responsibility, which is desperately needed in our age. Too many people think that our life’s trajectory cannot be changed and we are stuck with misery. 
Matheny asks us to choose better climes. He writes, “You have options. Your choices can transform your life. You’re not at the mercy of impersonal forces. The key is the type of choice you make. This book will show you great possibilities within your reach by focusing on choices within your control.”
Choose! is concise and filled with fabulous quotes and well-chosen passages from Scripture to educate us in the choices we should make. We choose how we handle this life and Matheny wants to play a part in helping us make wise decisions. His layered approach is useful with commentary, quotes, Scripture and practical applications.
Make a wise decision and purchase Choose! today.
One year ago today, one of the scariest moments of my life occurred. I was in the church office writing. I stood up to go somewhere and realized I could not walk. I stumbled home to lie on the bed, scared and hurting. Soon it spread to my arms and hands.
Several doctor’s appointments and tests followed. I eventually went to the Mayo Clinic and spent five weeks at a Pain Rehabilitation Center.
I suffer from a neurological condition called Functional Movement Disorder. My doctors do not know why this happened or how to treat it.
The Christian world debates endlessly over how we can unite together, so religious division can end. Christians hate to see the religious world savagely divided.
Everyone has their own theory to end the suffering. Books on unity fill shelves and discussions are ubiquitous. Yet, if we pursue the fallible plans, we will find perpetual frustration.
On Halloween night children go door-to-door crying, “Trick or treat!” The resident of the home distributes candy, thus saving their belongings from mischief.
With Halloween here, the phrase can be borrowed and application can be made to people’s use of Scripture. What will they find when they come to the judgment day?
Jesus offers an abundant life (John 10:10) while Satan offers an eternity in hell (Matthew 25:41). Satan will say and do anything to pull people away from God (1 John 2:15,16; Ephesians 6:10-17).
One of Satan’s most successful ploys is to convince men that false doctrines are actually correct (cf. Genesis 3:2-6). His persuasive nature leads them to be completely faithful to these false doctrines. When they come to the throne of judgment, will they find they have been faithful and receive the treat of heaven or realize they have been tricked?
Recently, my Mother, Carolyn Mansel, passed away days after the discovery of cancer. The dizzying week left us stunned and heartbroken. She was an extraordinary woman who touched countless lives. Large crowds at the visitation and the funeral were a tribute to her godly life. The outpouring of sympathy for her loss affected us deeply.
Mother walked with Christ and exhibited three key qualities that all Christians should posses. She was a selfless servant who had a smile for everyone.
