Lessons From The Garden Index
The Way Up Is Down – an allegory
THIS posting is a departure from our study in the Complete Green Letters, to look at an offering from Grace Gems that came to my email inbox. It seems a fitting note to what we having been looking at the past several weeks. But aside from that, it stands alone
Chapter 56 — Think Position!
WE return to the material we started to review from the third of Miles Stanford’s spiritual growth books titled Abide Above, A Guide to Spiritual Growth. Again, this is also found in Part Five of his combined works titled The Complete Green Letters. A Guide to Spiritual Growth cherry-picks and
Chapter 56 — Think Position! – Part 2
I HAVE on my desk several “frequently visited” books I use for reference in my studies, correspondence and writing my blogs. One I value is from New Growth Press titled How People Change, authored by Timothy Lane and Paul Tripp. In many ways this book parallels what we have been
Chapter 56 — Think Position! – Part 3
I MENTIONED in the previous comment New Growth Press. It was suggested that I add their link to my blog. …Done! There are excellent books and studies to be found there with an array of vital Christian growth topics to be enjoyed! WE are currently looking at Think Position with
Chapter 56 — Think Position! – Part 4, conclusion
WE are currently looking at Think Position, picking up our review at the third and final subheading – Position Accepted. THERE is in my computer file an article saved from a 2001 issue of World Magazine written by Andree Sue titled, Living Logically. I have saved many of her pieces
Chapter 57—Keep Looking Down!
AS I turn to this chapter and it’s title, a little smile comes to my face. Are you familiar with the phrase mnemonic device? A mnemonic is a device, such as a pattern of letters, ideas, or associations that assists in remembering something. They surround us in many forms, and
Chapter 57—Keep Looking Down! – Part 2
I OPENED the last comment saying that I use several mnemonic devices to help me remember things, one I made use of years ago about the current teaching under consideration. As I said, it may seem a little silly, but it put the current lesson front-and-center in my daily thoughts
Chapter 57—Keep Looking Down! Part 3
“In contrast to the popular exhortation to “keep looking up” (from ourselves to Christ), we are to “keep looking down” (from our position in Him) upon our circumstances here on earth.” “Think of the faithfulness of the Holy Spirit, as He works patiently and thoroughly in the life of the
Chapter 57—Keep Looking Down! – Part4
In contrast to the popular exhortation to “keep looking up” (from ourselves to Christ), we are to “keep looking down” (from our position in Him) upon our circumstances here on earth. Think of the faithfulness of the Holy Spirit, as He works patiently and thoroughly in the life of the
Morning Meds
WE’VE completed Chapter 57 titled: Keep Looking Down. But before we press on, I’d like to share a little aside. I RECALL an annual physical check-up and visit with my physician. Immediately after I was sent to the “lab” for the obligatory tests, seeing shortly thereafter an email prompting to
Morning Meds – Part 2
I’M taking another aside today before proceeding on with our study in Part 5 of The Complete Green Letters, A Guide to Spiritual Growth. The purpose and intent of this blog is to provide weekly comments and help in our daily walk in principles of Christian growth. In the previous
Morning Meds – Part 3
THIS and the previous two considerations are titles “Morning Meds” – referencing Morning Mediations, a vital part of a Christian’s spiritual disciplines. LOOKING back at the previous comment, did you notice how Edward Welch referenced perseverance as an attribute of God, saying: Persevere is something God does; it is not
Chapter 62 — The Spirit’s Ministry
WELL, we are back to the book the Complete Green Letters after taking a side trip related to my Morning Meds. So now we return to where we left off in the CGL’s by Miles Stanford’s Part – Five, A Guide to Spiritual Growth, also known as Abide Above in
The Spirit’s Ministry – Part 2
WE began looking last time at Chapter 62, The Spirit’s Ministry, in Miles Stanford’s Complete Green Letters, Part – Five, A Guide to Spiritual Growth. Though for many, this is a settled matter in understanding the doctrine of the Spirit, for others it is not. I am amazed when I
The Spirit’s Ministry – Part 3
“It is not a matter of surrender so as to get and to have, but of growth in Christ so as to be and to give.” WE continue our look at Chapter 62, The Spirits Ministry, in A Guide to Spiritual Growth, considering the ministry and work of the Holy
The Spirit’s Ministry – Part 4
CONTINUING our look at Chapter 62, The Spirit’s Ministry, in A Guide to Spiritual Growth, considering the ministry and work of the Holy Spirit. Reading this section again I’m reminded of how rich and important Miles Stanford’s words are in explaining these things. In the previous comment, note that last
The Spirit’s Ministry… conclusion
WE now close this chapter on the Ministry of the Spirit, reading and mediating on the last single paragraph. THERE are many, many good daily devotional books available for the Hungry Heart. I have several near at hand, one in particular titled Saving Grace by C. John Miller. It is
“Blessed Are Those…”
BEFORE we get to the next chapter of A Guide to Spiritual Growth, I want to share something derived from a personal meditation. The item below is from C. John Miller’s devotional book titled Saving Grace, from New Growth Press. I referenced this book in the previous posting; have enjoyed
Chapter 63 — The Spirit’s Goal
WE return to our look at “A Guide to Spiritual Growth” in The Complete Green Letters, having completed Chapter 62, “The Holy Spirit’s Ministry,” and now turning to Chapter 63, “The Spirit’s Goal.” I’VE heard it said long ago that the wisdom of the ages is to see which way
The Spirit’s Goal – Part 2
“God will take us where we have not planned to go in order to produce in us what we could not achieve on our own.” “When you give up on yourself, you begin to rely on him (Christ). When you are willing to abandon your own little dreams, you begin
The Spirit’s Goal – Part 3
“Not I, but Christ … This is the theme, or at least ought to be, of every believer.” “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless, I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of
The Spirit’s Goal – Comment
Chapter 63—The Spirit’s Goal – Comment THERE is a line of thought from our previous consideration, often repeated by our author that identifies the core to our foundational understanding: The joyful and dependent believer is resting in the positional truth that “the law of the Spirit of life in Christ
The Spirit’s Goal – Part 4
Suffering reminds you that you are not the ultimate power in the universe, and there are forces beyond your control and comprehension … such knowledge keeps one humble. – SD WHEN I was principal at Covenant Christian Academy, once in a while, sitting around the lunch tables, some of my
The Spirit’s Goal – Part 5, conclusion
The self-life is going to feel the cut of the Cross, while the growing life of the crucified and risen Lord Jesus within will be manifested in sacrifice for others. I THINK it needful to repeat the above thought as we close this chapter titled, “The Spirit’s Goal.” THIS is
Realization of Spiritual Growth – Into
WE have completed Part Five in The Complete Green Letters titled, A Guide to Spiritual Growth. We will now proceed to Part Four titled, The Realization of Spiritual Growth. This section was originally published as a stand-alone under the title, The Reckoning That Counts, subtitled, The Realization of Spiritual Growth.