The Articles Library, Section 9 (continued)

CULTIVATING CHRISTIAN CHARACTER 

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Richard Stearns 

From the President of World Vision, USA. “The word gospel literally means good news. Jesus declared that He had come to preach good news to the poor. But what good news, what gospel, did the Church have for this little boy and his brothers in Africa? What good news have God’s people brought to the world’s three billion poor?” The answer is found in the title of this book: A gospel with a hole in it. Here is the prologue to the book. (See also The Hole in Our Gospel Study Guide).

Parker Palmer 

We’re making tough calls all the time, both at work and at home. But we may be better off if we don’t make them alone. A longstanding Quaker method called a “clearness committee” helps us tap the wisdom of others and may provide breakthrough guidance.

Jim Petersen and Mike Shamy 

It is possible to discredit the gospel by our inadequacies, but this doesn’t happen as often as we may think. And beyond that, often the gospel is advanced because of our inadequacy.

C.S. Lewis 

C.S. Lewis wrote The Great Divorce to demonstrate the differences between Hell and Heaven. This excerpt metaphorically and poignantly shows how challenging it can be for some people to let go of lust, but it then shows how we are strengthened and advanced once we muster the courage to finally do so.

Jeff Bates and Mick Bates

You understand the problem, but you might not understand its many causes and consequences – or what to do about it. Here’s substantive help for one of our greatest battles.

Michael Zigarelli

Related Article: Rediscovering Joy in Your Work

What’s the difference between joyful Christians and the rest of us? How do they manage to retain a joyful disposition, despite their circumstances? What’s the secret to success here? This study of more than 5,000 Christians provides some answers you won’t find anywhere else.

That seven-minute shoeshine was transformational. For the first time in my life, I had understood what it meant to be joyful always and to give thanks in all circumstances.

Bill Perkins

When it comes to the powerful emotion of anger, Bill Perkins suggests that the root issue is not so much our circumstances or our upbringing, but our relationship with God. Once we understand this, we’re finally in a position to do something about how we release our anger. This article is Chapter One from his book, When Good Men Get Angry.

James Denison 

“Billions of people say they believe in Jesus. How many have an intimate, transforming, obedient relationship with him? My guess is the same number as those who are sure he is who he says he is.” So says Dr. James Denison (denisonforum.org). Disbelief may be an epidemic problem, even among those of us who claim we believe. In this excerpt from his book Wrestling with God, Denison discusses some of his own skepticism and offers us a refresher on the foundational question: “Why should we believe a 2000-year-old book?”

C.S. Lewis 

Here is a classic dialogue from The Chronicles of Narnia series between the White Witch (representing Satan) and some children and creatures from Narnia. In it, the Witch cleverly enchants her guests to disbelieve in any lion named Aslan (i.e., Jesus) and any world called Narnia. Brilliantly, through this scene, C.S. Lewis offers us insight into how many of us are being (or have already been) seduced into disbelief of Jesus and His Kingdom.