In our sophisticated, intellectual age, the conversation surrounding “spiritual warfare” can be stilted. But talk to someone in the Two-Thirds World where the church is growing fastest, and you won’t have to convince anyone!

If this is an area of your understanding you wish to expand, I recommend starting with a couple books. The first, The Bondage Breaker by Dr. Neil T. Anderson is a classic that’s been recently updated. Dr. Anderson has a long history of merging the intellectual and the spiritual. He engages in the topic of spiritual opposition without “losing his head.” And, hey, he’s a former aerospace engineer like me :).

Another great book to read on this topic is The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis. Lewis does a “reverse-take” and writes as if the demons are the good guys and God is “the enemy.” It is fascinating reading and challenging to think through the myriad means our spiritual enemy may seek to undermine our faith and keep us in bondage. You can check out  an online version of this book here.

May you know FREEDOM in Christ. May you know VICTORY over the spiritual opposition you currently face. And, as a result, may you know JOY.

Best,

Shane

Ever have the chance to meet someone famous? What did it feel like to first enter the room? Intimidating?

In a previous job, I had the chance to work on a project that involved a partnership between the organization I worked for and the Office of the Governor of Arkansas. On a couple different occasions I met with the Governor himself.

The first time that happened, I was scheduled to meet him in his office. When I was ushered in, I felt this overwhelming sense of awe. Picture the setting: big, ornate corner office in the Capitol building with busts, pictures and memorabilia from decades of state history! I stumbled over my greeting and struggled for several minutes getting started in the conversation. I mean, this was the GOVERNOR! Who am I to speak with the GOVERNOR?! Eventually I learned that he genuinely wanted to meet with me and the emotional barrier in my own heart toward him broke down.

A similar type of intimidation happens, I think, between us and God. We get this picture that he’s too important, or two busy, or not interested in our little problems. As a result, a barrier can develop between us and God. But Hebrews 4:14-16 makes it clear: Through JESUS, the Son of God, we not only have ACCESS to the throne of God, we can go confidently knowing that he sympathizes with our weaknesses and is ready to offer mercy and grace in our time of need.

I love what Larry Crabb has written recently on the subject of prayer in his important book: PAPA Prayer. Through the acronym PAPA, he invites us to go boldly to God in prayer. If you want a pathway for approaching God in prayer with confidence, get your hands on this book.

May you know Jesus as your sympathetic high priest; may you have courage to go to him with confidence in your time of need; and may you find his mercy and grace sweetly meet your deepest hunger.

Best,

Shane

Please click below to download the study guide which accompanies the sermon preached on January 24th. The study guides are beneficial for personal use but primarily designed for use within our Community Groups.

trueish-week-4-study-guide

To learn more about our Community Groups please visit: westportchurch.org/information/groups

Please click below to download the study guide which accompanies the sermon preached on January 17th. The study guides are beneficial for personal use but primarily designed for use within our Community Groups.

trueish-week-3-study-guide

To learn more about our Community Groups please visit: westportchurch.org/information/groups

Please click below to download the study guide which accompanies the sermon preached on January 10th. The study guides are beneficial for personal use but primarily designed for use within our Community Groups.

trueish-week-2-study-guide

To learn more about our Community Groups please visit: westportchurch.org/information/groups

Matt Chandler is a pastor in the Dallas, Texas area. On Thanksgiving morning he experienced a seizure and was rushed to the hospital. Doctors discovered a tumor on his brain. The next day, he went into surgery. This week, he learned that his prognosis is not good (click here to read).

I recently viewed a short statement from Matt. The video was made after the tumor was discovered, and before he went into surgery. Please watch this video and learn from a man boldly proclaiming trust in God not because circumstances are good, but because he believes God is good all the time no matter what.

And please join me in praying for Matt and his family.

Shane

True satisfaction here on earth will always carry with it an element of dissatisfaction. Have you come to terms with that truth?

Or are you still trying to find that ‘magic bullet’ that will fully satisfy you this side of heaven?

If you heard my recent sermon, then you know that biblical contentment brings anticipation not satiation. True, biblical contentment does not mean our desires are satiated (satisfied to excess). Rather, biblical contentment brings JOY, and with that JOY an anticipation of even more JOY in the days ahead. Biblical contentment propels us ‘further up and further in’ to our relationship with the infinite, matchless God whose goodness cannot be exhausted.

But, as C.S. Lewis wrote, we are “half-hearted creatures, fooling around with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum  because he cannot imagine what is meant by a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.” [Click here to read Lewis' entire essay on this topic]

We need habits that turn our hearts away from contentment dead-ends - status, duty and addiction - and back toward our infinite God. One such habit is called “detachment.” Click here to download a brief introduction to this important spiritual habit. Put it into practice…and get on the pathway to SATISFACTION!

May your heart find true satisfaction in God’s goodness.

Peace,
Shane

Anyone who’s been around Westport on a Sunday morning knows that we’re in the middle of a BABY BOOM! By the end of December, we will have had around 20 babies born to Westport families in 2009. And I know of at least 5 already pending for the first half of 2010!

I remember well the excitement of new babies. I also remember the exhaustion and frustration. Where’s the instruction manual?!

I just came across a FREE on-line resource for parents of young children talking specifically to issues of how to train and discipline toddlers. This is a high quality resource from a trustworthy organization, FamilyLife (where Aimee and I worked for 10 years). Now that I’m on the other side of going through the toddler stage with 4 kids (in 5 years!), I can say with all earnestness: what you will hear in these videos is absolutely critical to getting a good start in your parenting years.

Don’t miss this. Make it part of a series of date nights. Drink coffee if you are still trying to survive the sleepless nights. Use toothpicks to prop your eyelids open. Talk it through. Try it out. Hang in there. You won’t regret it!

You can find the resource here.

Shane

Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me ~ Jesus. (John 15:4)

To remain in Jesus means to remain in his love. To bear fruit means to love others as Jesus has loved us. In other words: People who know they are deeply loved, love people deeply. This is one of the simplest yet most profound truths of the Scriptures. God loves you deeply; and he wants to pour out his love through you into the lives of people around you. If you missed the sermon on this topic, listen here.

For those who did catch the sermon and are here looking for more, here are two opportunities to explore:

First, if you want to learn more about Lori, her story, and the ministry she’s devoting herself to, then email her at workverve {@} yahoo.com. Learn more about the ministry to men and women dealing with post-abortive trauma, by clicking here.

If you are looking for help with healthy spiritual habits to help you remain in Jesus’ love, a great starting point is Richard Foster’s book Celebration of Discipline. I have several other books on my shelf that I would love to share. I would also enjoy the opportunity to meet with anyone exploring this topic.

May you indeed know that you are deeply loved by your Heavenly Father. May knowing this, really knowing it, transform your life. And may you know the joy that only comes through pouring that love into the lives of others around you and celebrating the transformation it brings.

Peace,
Shane