CHRIS MACLEAVY Posts

5 Tips for Establishing a Devotional Routine with Your Toddler Just like the time and the content, so the strategy is actually best when kept short and simple. Even if you just read these 5 headings by Jared Kennedy, you’ll be on the right track. And if (like me) you’ve struggled more than once to find something that your kids can really get in to, perhaps the key is here. 40 Most Spiritually Charged Songs of 2017 I haven’t finished working my way through this list yet, but I’ve got to say how much I appreciate artists who carefully weave good theology into their craft. My favourite mention goes to Worthy by Beautiful Eulogy; I’ve listened to this album since it came out, and still…

Is the Pope Right about the Lord’s Prayer? I must admit I was fascinated to hear that the Pope has done more than simply recommend that the Lord’s prayer be amended for clarity, but that he’s actually given permission for his clergy to begin using his updated phrasing. To a certain extent, language shifts (or expands) over time, and words can take on a broader semantic range. So is the Pope on the right track here? UPDATE: Al Mohler weighs in on the discussion. Why Invest in the Men? The church should never lose focus on its goal to fulfill the Commission to share the good news of the gospel with those who haven’t yet heard. But the church’s ministry is two-fold, the other side…

What Student Ministry Really Needs? Homework Jen Wilkin is on the money in this article where she communicates that teens should take Bible study as seriously as school and sports practice. 10 Must-Read Posts for Young Christian Wives Full disclosure: I didn’t read all of the articles linked through here in full, but I poked around in most of them. They’re well written, and will provoke thought, and hopefully healthy discussion. The inspiration of Wonder Woman & the Disappointment of its Postscript Melinda Cousins (biblical studies lecturer at Tabor Adelaide) reflects on the success of Wonder Woman, and provides a critique of this portrayal as it continued in Justice League. Diana Prince in 2017’s Wonder Woman is both empowered and empowering. She is heroic, brave and strong.…

Why Seminary? Exhibit A: Joel Osteen …formal theological training at seminary level is not a biblical prerequisite for being a preacher of God’s word. The Apostle Peter, for instance, had no MDiv degree hanging on his office wall. But I’m sure we all agree that his 24/7 intensive, three year internship with Jesus was, um …adequate preparation. But if an excellent theological education is available to you, there is wisdom in being a good steward of that opportunity. Loving Better by Typing Less The thing about sinful, broken people is that there is never a shortage of sin and brokenness. However, it rarely (if ever) does anyone any good to be publicly thrown under the bus for wrong thoughts, wrong actions, and wrong words. I’m an…

You Are Not Your Personality Profile I see the value in understanding that I’m an ESTJ. At the time that I filled out the test, I paid extra to receive the extended personality profile results so that I could dig deeper into the quirks of why I am this way (because, for the most part, I fit the categories almost perfectly) and so I understand myself—particularly my flaws—better. However, Aaron is also dead right when he says here that we can take it too far. 2017 Winter Book List It’s always helpful when someone else puts these lists together, particularly when broken down into categories that are helpful for parents with children of different ages and interests. Not to mention more than a few award-winning…

Looking Like Monastics I heartily agree with the sentiment in this article. Too often Christian women are encouraged to ‘feel all the feels’ when it comes to their faith; seeking the Spirit but discouraged from engaging the intellect. I’ve been very glad to see so many excellent women bible teachers and theologians recently, and pray this continues to increase. Hillsong Pastor Carl Lenz in the Spotlight Pastors can’t dodge hard questions. Pastors are appointed by God to answer hard questions. They are the figures in the cosmos who must speak the truth. How to Revive Lifeless Prayer Of all the spiritual disciplines, surely the most essential are bible reading and prayer. But these can be difficult, and often we go through seasons of dryness. Here are 10…

The Proven Path to Mental Health Christianity turns out to be the greatest, most beautiful story of redemption ever told. It addresses all our greatest and deepest needs and longings. It offers all of us the most hope, no matter who we are and how horrible we’ve been. When holistically believed and consistently lived, Christianity produces the most mentally healthy people history has ever known. The Reformation and Doxology A Reformed pastor from Tasmania who makes his opening argument by quoting a Christian hip-hop artist? I’m gonna read that. Responding to CT’s Editorial Against the Nashville Statement Denny Burk responds to the recent CT editorial in which the Nashville Statement was critiqued (which is welcome) yet Burk points out that CT utterly missed the mark…

4 Reasons to Make Your Kids Go to Church Want a hot-button issue to divide Christian parents? Mike Kelly believes we should undoubtedly force our children to go to church, even when they don’t want to. Before you pick up stones, read his post. The Solas of the Reformation: A 5-Day Reading Plan At the time of its release, we are 7 days away from the 500th anniversary of Luther’s nailing the theses. Even putting that aside for the moment, the 5 Solas hold the key tenets of the Christian faith, and we would do well to spend time reading scripture with them in mind. This is guaranteed to be a few minutes of your next 5 days well spent. Simple Prayers for Your Grieving…

Is It Really God Speaking to You? Recently, I had a conversation with some guys about times in our lives when we’ve felt like God is speaking/confirming/leading us to do this or that (life decisions—not where to park the car). Mike Leake has a good word to add to this conversation. Sufficient for Its Day Here’s something totally unexpected. As a Christian, you heard certain phrases and immediately equate them to the part of the Bible you think they’re referring to (or maybe just me). I had an idea of what this article would be about and immediately put it on my shortlist, thinking it would contain good advice for Christians struggling with today. I had no idea, and what I found was a more…