This past weekend, I concluded a preaching series at Eastbrook Church called "Power in Prayer: Learning to Pray with St. Paul." Through the series, I shared quotations on prayer throughout the series, and several people asked if I could share them. There were a few that I had in my notes that I never mentioned, so …
How Spiritual Growth Happens
This past weekend, in my message "A Crash Course in Christlike Living," I explored Ephesians 4:17-5:20. One part of my message that I had to drop because of time was a discussion of how spiritual growth toward Christlike living occurs. Many times, when we want to become more like Christ, we simply read the Bible …
Transformation into Christlikeness is Possible: Dallas Willard
While preparing for a retreat with Eastbrook Church's student ministry, I came across this excerpt from Renovation of the Heart by Dallas Willard that hit home to me. Given some of my recent reflections on the nature of pastoral leadership in North America (see "Five Themes of Resilient Ministry" and "Five Steps for Overcoming the Dark …
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Seeking God’s Will: The ‘Three Lights’ of God’s Guidance and Hearing God’s Voice
Many of us search for God's will in our lives. In fact, one of the most pervasive questions I receive as a pastor is: how do I know God's will in my life? In his book, The Secret of Guidance, F. B. Meyer writes these words: God's impressions within and his words without are always …
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Recovering Holiness
As I continue to reflect on the nature of pastoral ministry, ministry in the North American evangelical church, and questions of ministry integrity, I find myself returning often to the topic of holiness. Even writing the word holiness makes me feel a little bit "old school." However, if I hold the tension of that uncomfortable …
Matthew Erickson 