When multiple paths come together at one point, we could call it an intersection, but an intersection’s ‘one point’ is static, unmoving. For example, our cars may cross the same intersection, but then we continue going our own ways. But, when we describe the paths of spiritual fruit, gifts, and disciplines as a convergence, we’reContinueContinue reading “Pursue Holiness: Spiritual Disciplines”
Author Archives: Shelley Linn Johnson
Pursue Holiness: Gifts of the Spirit
It’s never a coincidence when life lines up with what God has already been revealing and doing. For instance, months ago I sensed that my ‘Word’ of the year, Hebrews 12:14, would lead the way for this series on sanctification. Then the night before I sat down to write this post on spiritual gifts asContinueContinue reading “Pursue Holiness: Gifts of the Spirit”
Pursue Holiness: Gentleness and Self-Control
The English language can be a lot of fun, especially when we use words and phrases figuratively to convey an idea that would make no sense in any other culture. We use these idioms most naturally because we’ve grown up around them, but for those who haven’t been soaked in their not-literal sense, figurative languageContinueContinue reading “Pursue Holiness: Gentleness and Self-Control”
Pursue Holiness: Kindness and Goodness
I am fascinated at the way the Bible is woven together by common themes and imagery throughout its pages. For instance, from the beginning, we are given concrete examples of what God deems ‘good’. At the end of each day of Creation, God looks upon what He has spoken into existence and calls it tov,ContinueContinue reading “Pursue Holiness: Kindness and Goodness”
Pursue Holiness: Patience and Faithfulness
Seeds die, falling from the fruit into the hand of the farmer who sows them back into the soil. Nourished in the hidden place, seeds awaken and shoot roots out into the soil. From there, stalks grow upward, out of the darkness and into the actual sunlight where they strengthen and mature. And bear fruit. ContinueContinue reading “Pursue Holiness: Patience and Faithfulness”
Pursue Holiness: Love, Joy, Peace
The vast majority of us have not grown up in an agricultural community. Unlike our Hebrew ancestors, we don’t have much experience walking through orchards full of fruit-laden branches, much less working long harvest days. But for Jesus and His first century audience, the regular rhythms of sowing and reaping would have been shared experiences.ContinueContinue reading “Pursue Holiness: Love, Joy, Peace”
Pursue Holiness: Remaining on the Vine
It feels a bit risky, word-lover that I am, to say that of all the words in the Bible ‘abide’ is my favorite. Yet, I find that the longer I dig into Scripture and seek more of the Spirit, the more I long for the abiding life! I want, as the Apostle John describes, toContinueContinue reading “Pursue Holiness: Remaining on the Vine”
Pursue Holiness: Staying on the Path
Paths wind their way around mountains, criss-cross over streams, and meander through fields. Sometimes a path is level and safe, requiring nothing more from us than intentional forward movement, while others demand planning and preparation, proper equipment, and people to guide us. Most simply, paths are the means for reaching a destination, but sometimes theyContinueContinue reading “Pursue Holiness: Staying on the Path”
Pursue Holiness: Live Holy
As we set out to dig into God’s call for us to be holy, let us remember the holiness of our God, the One who is the Creator of the cosmos, the Sovereign King of Kings, the Eternal Ancient of Days who was and is and always will be. In His presence, we are rightContinueContinue reading “Pursue Holiness: Live Holy”
Pursue Holiness: Be Holy
If I sat down next to you on a plane and asked you what ‘holy’ means, how would you respond? I’m guessing some of us might throw out words like ‘church’ or ‘cemetery’, ‘pure’ or ‘sacred’. And we’d be right. There are places that are more ‘holy’ than others, people and objects more pure andContinueContinue reading “Pursue Holiness: Be Holy”