COVER STORY

“The Powerhouse of Prayer and Scripture”
by Rebecca Laird

If we could ask John Wesley, “How can we experience the presence of God and grow in grace in an ongoing way?” he would probably point us to his “General Rules.” All are essential, but two personal disciplines always top the list: daily prayer and searching the Scriptures.

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FEATURES

“The Disciplined Community”
by Edwin de Jong
If we truly long to experience the joy of living in God’s presence, we must recognize and embrace that the Christian life is lived out in community.

“Relationships: Not an Option”
by Dana Preusch
The culture of individualism has seeped into our churches, convincing many of us that we can indeed go it alone. But Scripture and personal experience remind us that spiritual relationships are critical to each one of us on the journey of faith.

“When Faith Seeks Understanding”
by Henry W. Spaulding II
From the pulpit, the formal classroom, the Bible study group, and the family dinner table come teaching and formative preaching—taking faith to the heart, hands, and feet of believers and maturing them in Christ.

“Mr. Wesley, Teach Us the Mission Again”
by Jerry D. Porter
Wesley’s repetitive teaching of our love of God and neighbor calls us to both holy living and evangelism. We cannot maintain personal heart purity without equal emphasis on Holy Spirit power to witness.

“Taking Holiness to the Streets”
by Tom Nees
Now more than ever we must actively serve needy people and challenge injustice in Jesus’ name. It’s time to take holiness to the streets.

COLUMNS

Change Agent: “New Year’s Resolutions: Help or Hindrance?”
by Jon Johnston

Is carefully plotting goals for the new year an exercise in futility?

Commission: “Heaven Practice”
by James H. Diehl

Anything and everything that brings people from different nations, cultures, tribes, languages, and generations together is of God.

Essay: “Any Fool Thing”
by Lawrence W. Wilson

Every experiment in human freedom, from creation to present, has ended in a tangle of dysfunction.

Holiness: “The Animal Hiding in Your Heart”
by Wesley D. Tracy

Have you been feeding the animal that hides in your heart?

Passport: “Circles of Life”
by Carmen J. Ringhiser

Ron Benefiel’s life of ministry has witnessed repeated circles, enabling him to bring others along on his faith journey.

Pastor's Point: “Spiritual Disciplines and Oxymorons”
by Dwight M. Gunter II

Our churches, and too often our pulpits, are occupied by those who seem to be spiritual yet undisciplined. Is it possible to be truly spiritual without being spiritually disciplined?

Portraits: “Victor Masone: For Such a Time as This”
by Mary Egidio

Victor Masone, a school psychologist, believes in being at the right place at the right time.

Ten Commandments : “I. First Things First”
by Joseph Coleson

God is the originator and sustainer of all else that exists, the universe and everything in or beyond it. Everything humans have set up as “god” is, when unmasked, only a part of God’s creation.

Touching: “Called by God”
by Larry Hull

When the hospital closes, where do people go for care? Usually they don’t go anywhere.

COMING NEXT MONTH
THE MYSTERY OF GOD

“A View from the Throne: The Mystery of God’s Sovereignty”

by Jim Edlin

Believing in God’s sovereignty is easier on some days than on others. Many of us can affirm God’s kingship when life is good. But what about those days when life comes apart?