Archive - Month: July 2010

Devotional: Vices, Virtues, & Fruits of the Holy Spirit – Galatians 5:19-26

In the bubble of Christianity, it is inexplicably easy to get “overwhelmed” with internal theological or apologetic debate. Dissecting scripture to find “objective truth” is sometimes difficult as we try to understand and “pin down” the lines we should not cross. We question whether or not certain actions, activities, or choices are OK, and try to define (and sometimes wiggle into or out of) the black, white, and gray areas.

Most of us most of us know plenty about the Bible and Christ. What if all someone knew were these words from Christ: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'” (Luke 10:27). Imagine what the world would look like if we stopped reading the Bible and simply lived out only the stuff we already know. […]

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Sermon – Andy Stanley – Guardrails – Why Can’t We Be Friends?

In this wonderful sermon, Andy Stanley of Northpoint Community Church teaches on “Guardrails” and how they can apply to our friendships. Guardrails are “a system designed to keep something from straying into dangerous or off-limit areas.” Guardrails create a small accident to protect you from a larger incident. We rarely pay attention to or think about guardrails until we need them. When we need or use them, they can save our lives.

Applied to our lives, spirituality and relationships, guardrails can help guide and protect us. In this context, Andy redefines guardrails as “a standard of behavior that becomes a matter of conscience”. Most likely our biggest mistakes in life could have been avoided if we had guardrails steering us in the right direction.

Read on for the 6 Guardrails for Friendship[…]

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