CHRIS MACLEAVY Posts

The Gospel Domino Effect Here Courtney Yantes discusses “the grand chain reaction of dominoes”, and how these dominoes continue to crash into each other throughout human history for our good and the good of others. Proceed at Once to the Text I was reading a sermon by Charles Spurgeon not too long ago, wherein his opening remarks he stated, “Let us proceed at once to the text!” That little, almost insignificant phrase struck me in a way that made me pause. No jokes, no personal stories, no novelty; just procession to the text. How could the man dubbed the “Prince of Preachers” attract thousands upon thousands, week upon week, by simply proceeding to the text? A Graphically Expressed Third Way on Gender Stuff in a Messed…

The Danger of “Has God Called You?” You will notice that missing from the list of qualifications of elders and deacons is an “inner call”. It’s just not there. So why then do we add extra-biblical qualifications? I wonder if what we are really asking with this “inner call” is whether or not somebody wants to do it. Do you feel compelled into this ministry? Do you desire the work of an elder? But that makes us uncomfortable so we’ve sanctified our language a bit. It’s sounds so much better to say, “God is calling me into this ministry” rather than saying, “I’d really like to preach”. But the Bible speaks the way of the latter more than the former. Do you want to? Are…

Don’t Pursue Feelings. Pursue Christ. I am far from emotionally intelligent. I have a long way to go before I can perceive all the nuances of emotion and develop a greater awareness of emotional well being in myself as well as in others. When it comes to considering feelings with regard to our Christian faith, emotion has an important part to play here too; just make sure it isn’t the lead role. Know Your Doctrine “Doctine Divides.” “I find doctrine boring.” This article doesn’t speak to a single crowd, denomination, or ‘tribe’ of Christianity; all of us have a responsibility to pursue the God that we love by learning his ways, and doctrine does not merely inform our minds, but also warms our hearts and reforms our…

Keep Your Phone in your Pocket “Once your brain has become accustomed to on-demand distraction, Nass discovered, it’s hard to shake the addiction even when you want to concentrate. To put this more concretely: If every moment of potential boredom in your life—say, having to wait five minutes in line or sit alone in a  restaurant until a friend arrives—is relieved with a quick glance at your smartphone, then your brain has likely been rewired to a point where, like the ‘mental wrecks’ in Nass’s research, it’s not ready for deep work—even if you regularly schedule time to practice this concentration.” Where Are the Women who will Write like Him? I’ve seen this call somewhere else recently. Too often Christian women authors seem to be…

Fast From Food, Not Facebook I cannot fully convey how much I agree with this article. For years I’ve pushed back against the idea that fasting from social media is a valid engagement with this valuable spiritual discipline. It’s not. While I can appreciate those who have specific medical conditions that prevent them from biblical fasting (food), I completely agree with Tim on this one. And while we’re here quit calling the Daniel Fast biblical too. It’s a health gimmick thinly veiled. The End. Learning a “Different World”: Loving Families with Special Needs I have yet to meet a parent of a child with special needs who brags about methods, achievements, plans or systems. Parents of children with special needs, specifically those in the church, are…

Your Kids Aren’t the Priority Many married couples would have come across (or had thrust upon them) the advice that you must put your relationship with your husband or wife as the primary one.  Here, Ann Swindell adds value to this discussion on how to be purposeful about growing as spouses “even as we parent those small humans who are making lots of noise in the house”. Make Room for Different Kinds of Discipleship Notwithstanding the need for Christians to always be active members of a local gathering of believers, there are many other secondary ways in which Christians can engage in discipleship, mentoring, and be spiritually nourished. It’s good to be creative and reflect on how we can sharpen each other in our many and varied…

Lord, Search my Heart The glorious gospel miracle is that what God requires of us in Micah 6:8, he purchases for us and accomplishes in us. A Marriage Checklist So here’s a book that’s been on my shelf untouched for too long. At a guess, I’d say I’ve read 5-7 books on marriage since purchasing Keller’s The Meaning of Marriage, while it sits with a bookmark at page 1. Expanding on the old idea of Love Languages, Keller discusses love “currency” and here David Murray shares a practical list which is well worth frequenting. Simple, practical, über beneficial (if you get it right!). Grace and The Non-Instagrammable Church The real church is just that. It’s real. It hasn’t been photoshopped. There’s no filter or adjustable…

This week’s edition is smaller than normal; but only in numbers, not in content. The reason it has fewer items is because each of these issues is producing so much heat and light on the Internet at the moment that whatever else has been said has been left standing just outside the limelight. Jesus is Greater than your Depression Here’s a wonderful story of hope on the blog of my friend Kyllum Lewis. I’ve never met Bethany, but her story is all too familiar for many. Her resilience in the face of depression is compassionately informative for those on the outside providing support, and comforting for those in the storm. Depression tells me that there is no hope. Jesus tells me that I am safe in…

How Can a Busy Mom Become a Better theologian? I’m currently reading Gloria Furman’s book Missional Motherhood, and I can tell you that she has a remarkable insight into the highs and lows of family life, and looking to the gospel of Jesus Christ for her strength, guidance, and joy in all things. No Muse, No Music Great art and music are inspired. In order to capture the world’s attention, they must have a muse, a muse that touches the soul. I’m a Master of Divinity and I don’t know my Bible While I don’t resonate with everything in this article, there is enough here that everyone could take away something of value. The Mission Field Under My Roof I wrote about this a little…

Deeper Magic In light of Easter – but not specific to it – I’ve had conversations around the resurrection of Jesus Christ more and more as the single point on which the validity of Christianity stands or falls. I’ve been collecting a number of apologetic works on this one, but as always, the authors at Wondering Fair bring something new in a way that I never could. The Curious Christian I read and reviewed Barnabas Piper’s latest book a short while back. Aaron Armstrong’s take on this helpful book is motivating and reminds me that curiosity is a healthy habit every Christian should practice and improve. Helping Women Engage Culture So much about this article is important for every Christian – not only women. However, there’s something…

Folding Singles into Family in the Life of the Church I’ve just finished reading John Piper’s This Momentary Marriage, and I found the words that he wrote in this language of ‘folding’ others into your life (particularly folding singles into family) profound and wonderful. This article by Sean DeMars expands Piper’s thought and provides some practical strategy. The New City Catechism More than once I’ve tried a different approach to the way we do family devotions. More than once I’ve bought a different book with content appropriate for different children’s ages. More often that not, it’s fallen flat and I’ve been discouraged. I didn’t grow up with catechisms, but I’ve become increasingly convinced of their importance. The New City Catechism is 52 questions and answers developed and adapted from…

Productivity or Virtue? It’s uncanny (and simultaneously encouraging) how much this author is like me, both then and now. The ability to be self-aware of how I’m prioritising goals, relationships, and unexpected demands for my time is vital if I’m to be the kind of person I think I should be. Preaching and Personality I’ve mentioned this article more than a few times in the last week, and I continue to think about it in light of my preaching this week. Gary Millar is as qualified as anyone to discuss the tension between being faithful to the text, but also recognising that God is interested in letting your personality tell the story, as long as Christ remains the only focus. 10 Fun Things to do…