Developing Critical Thinkers by Stephen D. Brookfield

Last updated on: June 16, 2018 at 9:33 pm By Jim Erwin

Developing Critical Thinkers by Stephen D. Brookfield Critical thinking is defined in this book is composed of two processes: identifying and challenging assumptions, and then imagining and exploring alternatives. When I think critically, my perceived truth, or my understanding of absolute truth, changes. By questioning what I have always understood to be true, I can come to a better position, or find a better solution to a problem that I have encountered. This is the premise of the book. Not... Read more

Perimeters of Light by Elmer Towns and Ed Stetzer

Last updated on: June 2, 2018 at 12:44 pm By Jim Erwin

Perimeters of Light by Elmer Towns and Ed Stetzer The core thought of this book, Perimeters of Light: Biblical Boundaries for the Emerging Church by Elmer Towns and Ed Stetzer, is that a Christian should live at the perimeter between the church and the world. The authors make the distinction between boundaries, the perimeter of those boundaries, and where one person could determine the edge of those boundaries. What is inside the boundaries define a Christian. The question that the... Read more

1 Peter 2:18-25 Christ-Like Influence

Last updated on: April 21, 2014 at 9:50 pm By Jim Erwin

1 Peter 2:18-25 Christ-Like Influence Stress and suffering are not the same thing. Recent events have taught me that there is a difference between stress and suffering. We can put ourselves so easily into stressful situations. The Bible teaches that we should not let stress bother us. “Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” (Philippians 4:6, HCSB) We should not let worry which manifests itself as stress... Read more

2 Corinthians 13:5-13 My Spiritual Report Card

Last updated on: April 21, 2014 at 9:07 pm By Jim Erwin

2 Corinthians 13:5-13 My Spiritual Report Card “Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith. Examine yourselves….” (2 Corinthians 13:5, HCSB) The Bible compares my faith to a spiritual report card. Here in his second letter to the church at Corinth, known as 2 Corinthians, Paul told the Corinthians that they should examine their hearts to see if they were really born again and members of the family of God. Paul writes that everyone should examine themselves –... Read more

Colossians 3:1-4 Be Real

Last updated on: June 15, 2018 at 1:43 pm By Jim Erwin

Colossians 3:1-4 Be Real Colossians 3:1-4 Be Real is a sermon how to be real as a Christian – not a fake. PLAY GAME: Is It Real or Is It Fake? I want to talk to you this morning about being a Christian. Many times, we look at someone who claims to be a Christian, and we often wonder if we believe that person. Are they a real Christian, or are they faking it? In other words, can someone really... Read more

PEACE Making

Last updated on: June 14, 2018 at 10:42 pm By Jim Erwin

PEACE Making PEACE Making is a simple thought on the fact that we should be peacemakers as Christians. “The peacemakers are blessed, for they will be called sons of God.” (Matthew 5:9, HCSB) FIVE ELEMENTS TO MAKING PEACE Pure – peace in purity, and repentance is necessary. ““There is no peace for the wicked,” says the Lord.” (Isaiah 48:22, HCSB) Eternal – there is the contrast between worldly and eternal peace ““Peace I leave with you. My peace I give... Read more

1 Peter 3:1-7 Christian Marriage

Last updated on: April 14, 2014 at 3:22 pm By Jim Erwin

1 Peter 3:1-7 Christian Marriage The story is told of two women who escaped from prison. They were running, and of course, when the guards discovered that they had escaped, they went after them with dogs to follow their scent and to track them down. The two women heard the barking in the distance and knew the guards and dogs were closing in. Panicking and needing to do something, the first lady decided to climb a tree and hide. The... Read more

Philippians 2:5-11 Having the Right Attitude

Last updated on: April 14, 2014 at 3:12 pm By Jim Erwin

Philippians 2:5-11 Having the Right Attitude MAIN POINT: This is having the right attitude: to get up you have to go down. The world teaches you to get up to go up. Jesus teaches us that in order to get up you have to go down. Christ’s humiliation and exaltation are presented as cause and effect.1 Not many of us want to be servants, do we? And those who have the notion that Christianity centers in service need to realize... Read more

Lenten Reflection #20: Jesus Examines

Last updated on: June 15, 2018 at 1:25 pm By Jim Erwin

Lenten Reflection #20: Jesus Examines “For I am not conscious of anything against myself, but I am not justified by this.The One who evaluates me is the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 4:4, HCSB) Like a medical examiner, Jesus examines me. He evaluates me and my motives. He searches my heart. He looks into my soul. He does more than a surgeon who cuts open the physical body to diagnose and make repairs. Jesus cuts through with the Holy Spirit to examine... Read more

Lenten Reflection #19: Jesus Relaxes

Last updated on: June 15, 2018 at 1:29 pm By Jim Erwin

Lenten Reflection #19: Jesus Relaxes Lenten Reflection #19: Jesus Relaxes is a Lenten reflection on the way in which Jesus relaxes. ““Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28, HCSB) I am quite sure there were times when Jesus relaxed from His ministry on Earth. He would go to Bethany to visit with His close friends (Mary, Martha, and Lazarus) as a place to rest. There were times when... Read more