Destination & Destiny

By Rev. Dr. J. Patrick Bowman Are we as Christians sometimes confused about the difference between our destination and our destiny? Can we end up at one without realizing the other? To answer these questions, let’s first define what both destination and destiny are and then look at the Scriptures for further clarification. Destination is

Labels

By Rev. Dr. J. Patrick Bowman We all have the tendency to attach labels to ourselves. We call ourselves certain things based on physical attributes, health issues, age, national heritage, marital status, profession, etc. Therefore I might call myself a slightly overweight, diabetic, mid-senior, Scandinavian, married minister. Now I will surely modify some of those

Serious Symptoms

By Rev. Dr. J. Patrick Bowman When I go to the doctor with an ailment, she will always ask first about my symptoms because it is from these symptoms and the subsequent examination that a diagnosis will come. She asks about my symptoms, sympathizes with my symptoms, and may even offer remedies for my symptoms,

Like a Tree- Lesson 5: Pruning

By Rev. Dr. J. Patrick Bowman There are reasons why pruning is very beneficial to a tree’s health, fruitfulness, andlongevity. These reasons all have spiritual meaning for us as well. Let’s go through these considerations and make an application in our own lives. But before we look at trees, let’s look at what Jesus says

Like a Tree- Lesson 4: The Root System

By Rev. J. Patrick Bowman Most of us don’t consciously consider that when we look at a tree, we only see that which is visible above the ground. We are impressed with the great height of the tree. We are impressed with the mighty canopy that spreads out before us. We are impressed with the

Like a Tree- Lesson 3: Soil

By Rev. Dr. J. Patrick Bowman Along with light and water, healthy trees need good soil. Soil contains micronutrientsvital to tree health and helps to retain moisture so the roots can utilize it. A good tree planted in poor soil will struggle. In nature, the soil is called a planting medium. Soil, in our spiritual

Like a Tree- Lesson 2: Water

By Rev. Dr. J. Patrick Bowman Light is only one component of the photosynthesis process used by trees to produce food. The other piece is water. Water is essential in transporting nutrients from the soil through the roots, by the tree’s capillary system, to the leaves. Without water, the tree’s tissues become dehydrated, and the

Like a Tree- Lesson 1: Light

By Rev. Dr. J. Patrick Bowman In horticulture, trees are classified as to the amount of light they need to grow properly. If you go to your local nursery you will see trees designated as needing full sun, partial sun, or shade. In nature, certain trees need shade to flourish. Some trees grow in all

Evangelical Fears and Concerns Regarding Spiritual Formation- Part 3

By Rev. Dr. J. Patrick Bowman Having touched on the fears and concerns of some in the Evangelical tradition regarding spiritual formation, we will now reconstruct spiritual formation in a manner useful for further thought. Working Definition of Christian Spiritual Formation The first task is producing a working definition of spiritual formation. To do this

Evangelical Fears and Concerns Regarding Spiritual Formation- Part 2

By Rev. Dr. J. Patrick Bowman Sanctification in a New Key? Steven L. Porter in his 2008 article, Sanctification in a New Key: Relieving Evangelical Anxieties Over Spiritual Formation, begins by asserting that “the topic of spiritual formation within evangelicalism is simply the Protestant doctrine of sanctification in a new key.”[1] Porter goes on to