Biblical Christianity from Peter DeHaan

God’s Creative Force

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date November 21, 2013

Power, Knowledge, and Wisdom

Jeremiah provides a succinct summary of God’s creative force: power, knowledge, and wisdom. Through it, he established the entire universe, our physical realm of existence.

Power

God is a god of power. He is all-powerful, that is, almighty; he is omnipotent. There’s nothing he can’t do; nothing is too big for him, too complicated, or too hard.

He unleashed his unlimited power to create us, our world, and the universe we live in.

How he did it doesn’t matter, but he was there at the beginning and before the beginning, creating our temporal reality out of his power.

Knowledge

Power without knowledge is, at best, a wasted effort; at worst, it is a tragedy. Fortunately, God is also a god of knowledge. He knows all things; nothing is beyond his comprehension. He is omniscient.

Creation is birthed by his power and through his knowledge.

Wisdom

Without wisdom, knowledge and power have no purpose. God is wisdom; he exemplifies the ultimate in understanding. Wisdom guides power and informs knowledge to create something truly marvelous.

In his wisdom he made all things, working perfectly together in the ultimate masterpiece.

We are an amazing creation, living on an amazing world, stationed in an amazing universe. We applaud God for making it all, using equal parts power, knowledge, and wisdom.

Thank you, God. You are awesome.

[Read through the Bible with us this year. Today’s reading is Jeremiah 51-52 and today’s post is on Jeremiah 51:15.]

Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.

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Christian Living

Being in God’s Presence

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date November 17, 2013

In the diminutive book, The Practice of the Presence of God, Brother Lawrence shares his experience of essentially living much of his life while in the presence of God.

For most of his adulthood, Brother Lawrence worked as a monastery cook.

As he attended to his daily duties in the kitchen, he gradually learned how to spend that time in prayer, eventually getting to the point of his spirit moving into God’s presence while his body remained in this world to prepare food and wash dishes.

At least that’s what I think happened, because he declines to describe the experience, citing the complete inadequacy of his words.

What I do know is that he worshiped God more fully throughout his day in the kitchen than when at services in the cathedral. Oh, how I yearn to do the same.

Yet, Brother Lawrence worked in an ideal, idyllic setting; his work required little concentration. He could navigate much of his day on autopilot, allowing his mind and spirit to embrace God. Even so, it still took him a couple decades to hone his practice.

Not only does his experience inspire me, but his book confounds me. Living in the sixteen hundreds in France, he comes to me from another time and a foreign culture; he wrote in a different language.

His translated work possesses a unique rhythm, gradually emerging with a pleasing cadence, even though it abounds with incomplete sentences, which sorely vexes the writer in me.

Still, I grasp for a taste of what he lived.

May we likewise learn to practice being in the presence of God, not just at church on Sunday, but throughout our entire week.

Thank you Brother Lawrence for your example and your encouragement.

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Bible Insights

Is God Your Fortress, Stronghold, Deliverer, and Shield?

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date November 14, 2013
2 Comments on Is God Your Fortress, Stronghold, Deliverer, and Shield?

Some of the Psalms are a lament, while others are a rant. (Too many, for my taste.) However, there are also Psalms that celebrate God and affirm the Almighty. (I like those.)

Psalm 144:2 proclaims God is our fortress, stronghold, deliverer, and shield. In short, he keeps us safe from harm and our enemies.

But to realize this, we need to be at the right place. A shield only protects when we stand behind it; a citadel only keeps us safe once we’re inside; and a liberator can only free those who will follow him.

If we’re not in the right place, we may be foolish to assume no harm will befall us. Yes, I believe God wants the best for us, but I also realize I need to cooperate with him to fully realize it.

May we strive to remain where we need to be, so we can fully receive all God has to offer.

[Read through the Bible with us this year. Today’s reading is Psalm 140-144 and today’s post is on Psalm 144:2.]

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Christian Living

Is a Big Church Better?

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date November 10, 2013

In the developed world, especially the United States, size is celebrated. If something is big, we judge it as good. If it’s bigger, we applaud it as better. And if it’s the biggest, we acclaim it as the best. People equate size with success.

Churches fall into this same trap.

If a church is big, people assume God is pleased, that he has blessed them. Surely, God’s favor rests upon big houses of worship. The bigger it is, the more spiritual they must be, more holy in character and surely more loved by the Almighty.

People, both those in the church and those outside, equate size with success.

The opposite implication is that small churches are somehow lacking. Little is lamented. The logic is that tiny churches must be doing something wrong.

God is surely displeased, so he withholds his favor. Their small numbers suggests serious spiritual error.

We likewise judge ministers at these churches, with large-church leaders celebrated and small-church leaders ignored. But this is a societal assessment, not a spiritual indicator.

While there could be an element of truth in these assumptions, they are far from universal.

Too often, big churches have little connection with high spiritual standing, but are merely a reflection of successfully tapping into society’s consumer mindset.

While small churches may best provide the opportunity for spiritual growth.

Consider God’s rejection of Saul and selection of David or the victory won by Gideon’s tiny army.

With God, size doesn’t matter. And if he doesn’t care, why should we?

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Bible Insights

Do You Want a Double Portion?

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date November 7, 2013

Prior to his birth, Samuel’s father would give Samuel’s mother a double portion of the meat from his sacrifice. This showed his love for her and affirmed her, despite her being childless. She was doubly honored.

Just before Elijah went up into heaven, Elisha requested to receive a double portion of Elijah’s spirit. He did; he was doubly blessed.

The Prophet Isaiah proclaimed that those once shamed would receive a double portion, making up for what was lost. They would be doubly restored.

Receive a Double Portion

Given these examples, wouldn’t it be great to receive a double portion?

Not so fast.

In Revelation, God proclaims a double portion of punishment on Babylon for all the evil she had done. She was doubly punished.

We’d all like a double portion of God’s goodness, but no one wants a double portion of his punishment. But when we follow Jesus and go all in for him, we can, in fact, receive his abundance and escape his punishment.

Thank you Jesus!

[1 Samuel 1:5, 2 Kings 2:9, Isaiah 61:7, Revelation 18:6]

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Christian Living

All Things Are Spiritual

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date November 3, 2013

One of the disservices of the modern era was dividing life into secular and spiritual, of splitting our existence, behavior, and reality into separate realms of activity.

Premodern man had no such illusions; neither did ancient man before that. To them, everything was spiritual.

If you don’t believe me, consider all the spiritual lessons and stories in the Bible. How many of them happened during a church service? Not too many.

Indeed, the Bible shows God at work throughout the week, not just on the Sabbath or Sunday and not just at the tabernacle, temple, or synagogue, but anywhere, anytime.

In the Bible, God seldom waited for people to show up at the temple before speaking to them. Nor did he often require exuberant worship as a prerequisite for revealing his presence or power.

Yes, those things did sometimes happen, but not usually.

When we view all of life as spiritual, the concept of secular disappears. Then we no longer need to wait for Sunday morning to encounter God; that can happen throughout the week—if we’re open to it.

On Sundays, we often arrive at church expectant of a spiritual experience: waiting for God to speak and open to experience his presence.

But if all aspects of life are spiritual, as the Bible shows us, then we should be expectant of a spiritual experience at any moment.

This should inform all we do, including when we drive our car, how we interact with the clerk at the store, what we watch on TV, and how we talk to our family.

Yes, all things are spiritual. It’s time we act like it.

May God speak to you and reveal his presence the next time you are in church—and even more so when you leave.

Do you like this post? Want to read more? Check out Peter’s book, Bridging the Sacred-Secular Divide: Discovering the Spirituality of Every Day Life, available wherever books are sold.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

Tags spirituality

Bible Insights

Sealed Scrolls in the Bible

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date October 31, 2013

In Isaiah’s prophecy, there’s a reference to words in a scroll. But no one can read the contents because the scroll is sealed.

Later, God tells Daniel to take the words of his prophecy and seal it in a scroll until the end of time.

In Revelation, God gives John a scroll and tells him to open it. But John can’t because it’s sealed. He cries profusely because he sees no one worthy to open the seal.

But there is one who can: Jesus. Jesus is worthy to break the seal and access the prophecy.

Later, as a final word, God tells John not to seal up his prophecy. The time is right; it must remain accessible.

In the Old Testament, scrolls are sealed. In the New Testament, Jesus breaks the seal. This is one more incredible connection between Old Testament prophecy and New Testament fulfillment.

Than you, Jesus.

[See Isaiah 29:11, Daniel 12:4, Revelation 5:1-10, Revelation 22:10.]

Read more in Peter’s devotional Bible study, A New Heaven and a New Earth: 40 Practical Insights from John’s Book of Revelation.

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Tags Bible

Christian Living

The Next Generation

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date October 29, 2013

On September 11, while others in the United States remembered the anniversary of a national tragedy, my wife and I celebrated the birth of our first grandson.

I waited a long time for him, not with any sense of urgency but with much anticipation for the joy his arrival would bring.

Now he’s here, and I’m reminded once again of the awesomeness of life. And although biased, I think he’s the most beautiful baby ever.

In seeing him, I’m mindful that babies don’t come with an instruction manual. Though my daughter and her husband have prepared well and are doing a great job, I know they will learn some things only through experience and after a few errors.

Surely, they will make a some mistakes along the way, just as their respective parents did in raising them.

When my grandson was one week old, I asked his parents what surprised them the most so far. For my daughter it was the realization of just how important sleep was; my son-in-law voiced surprise over the amount of time a baby requires.

I remember my trepidation when I first held my daughter; I scarcely breathed for fear she might break. Each evening I gave her a bottle, and then she fell asleep in my arms. Later, I did the same for her brother.

However, when I first held my grandson, there was no apprehension, only excitement. My parent skills came back to me quickly. This is a delightful phase in my life. I relish having grandchildren.

Although I like having grandchildren, the idea of being a grandfather is jarring. I suspect, though, that will all change in an instant, at that future moment when my grandson looks up at me and says for the first time, “Grandpa.”

And my heart will melt.

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Christian Living

How I Worship God

Many people think that singing songs in church is worshiping God. They’re right, but there’s more.

Other people call the entire church service, “worship,” as in “Our worship service is at ten.” I suppose they’re right, too. But there’s more to worship than a one hour a week effort.

Ideally, everything we do, say, and think can worship God. At least, it should. Yet sometimes that’s hard to do.

Yesterday, as I tried to get my snowblower ready for winter, I should have been happy that I have a snowblower in the first place and found time to prep it.

Instead I was upset that it didn’t start, despite doing all the right steps. And when it finally did start, I forgot to thank God for answered prayer.

As far as worship, I fell short.

Yet my writing is one way that I do worship God. Everything I write is either about him or for him. I sense his pleasure as I type away. After finishing a piece, I think he smiles with delight as I offer it to him.

Whether it’s primitive or polished, as long as I did my best, he receives it with joy. Like a proud parent he posts it on his refrigerator for all to see.

Each Sunday, I write before I go to church, and it’s often my most profound worship experience of the week. Sitting passively in a pew may have its positive moments, but for me it pales to making something and offering it to God.

Here it is, God. I give you another piece of my writing as an act of worship.

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Peter DeHaan News

News Release: Peter DeHaan Addresses 2013 Breathe Conference

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date October 25, 2013

Writer Workshops by Local Author and Publisher are Well-Attended and Earn High Praise

Mattawan, Michigan; October 25, 2013—Peter DeHaan spoke at the 2013 Breathe Christian Writers Conference on October 11 and 12, 2013, in Dutton Michigan. Conference attendance set a new record, with many attendees greatly anticipating Peter DeHaan’s two workshops.

He opened with “Jumpstarting Your Writing Career” on the first day and concluded with “10 Tips to Improve Your Writing” on day two.

“Both sessions were well-attended, far surpassing my expectations. I was so encouraged by the high turnout and enthusiastic participation,” said Peter DeHaan, PhD, who is also a magazine publisher and editor. In between the sessions, DeHaan met one-on-one with several attendees to discuss their writing and careers.

“The response was incredible,” added Dr. DeHaan. “The attendees were eager to learn and share with each other. The Breathe writing conference is one of the best, and the enthusiastic attendees are one reason why.”

Joni McArthur, an attendee at his first workshop, said it was a “very good session filled with helpful tips.”

“Peter effectively relates his own evolving call to the vocation of writing to instruct and inspire,” stated Beth Ernest.

Esther Clark added, “His seminar took me to a new level.”

“His speech was like an orientation session for a new job!” said Nellie deVries. “Today I said, ‘I am a writer,’ thanks to Peter DeHaan.”

Sara VanLaan appreciated “the ‘rubber meets the road’ advice on writing.”

As a follow-up, Dr. DeHaan is providing additional information and free writing services to those who attended his workshop.

Learn more about the Breathe Christian Writers Conference and Peter DeHaan.

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Tags writing