Chris Tomlinson's Blog: Crave Something More, page 10

What Is The Gospel Meant To Be?

Last week, I asked the question:  "Can we overemphasize the gospel?"  Hundreds have considered this question, and a number have weighed in on the issue.  One reader in particular, Russ, ended his comments by asking:  "What is the gospel scripturally meant to be?"  I posed the question back to him, and here's what he said:

I do not know in full.  The scriptures you provided were a good and proper start.  I think that in some sense, the gospel is to function as our everything.  Or to borrow...

Can We Overemphasize The Gospel?

I love The Gospel Coalition, and here's why:

"The Gospel Coalition is a group of (mostly) pastors who are deeply committed to the gospel…and want to think out of the framework of the good news of Christ—crucified, risen on our behalf, reconciling us to God, preparing us for eternity." DA Carson

"We've got our eyes fixed on the fact that the gospel of Jesus Christ needs to be central—it needs to drive everything that we do in ministry and in life." Joshua Harris

"The gospel is not proclaimed if...

I Almost Sold My Integrity Again, This Time for $3.78

"Wait a minute," you might be saying.  I thought I just read this post.  Actually, you read that post.

My wife, Anna, went on a Women's Retreat this weekend with our church, and before she left, she asked me to return a half gallon of milk she bought last week.  She said that she had purchased the milk before realizing it was set to expire the following day.  She called the store to see if she could make an exchange, and they said that would be fine.

So I went to the store on Sunday afternoon...

I Almost Sold My Integrity for $2.25

Thursday, late afternoon.

Downtown Minneapolis.

Nichollet Avenue and 5th.

Lite-Rail Station.

Clear sky, cold air.

Credit card in hand.

Ticket machine.

Credit card doesn't work.

Thinking the machine is broken.

Step back.

Woman buys a ticket.

Man buys a ticket.

Train arrives.

Credit card back in wallet.

Board the train.

Sit and work.

Bag falls over as the train lurches.

Setting sunlight streams in the windows.

Exit the train.

Check my pockets for wallet and phone.

Up the escalator.

Another ticket machine.

Walk...

An Ascent From Tragedy

Six weeks ago, the earth broke under Haiti.  This past weekend, it broke again under Chile.  The Western Church had an awakening of sorts during the intervening time—perhaps not a deep, spiritual awakening, but surely one of compassion.  People who had just celebrated a Christmas and New Year in a time of relative comfort and prosperity were suddenly moved to give, go, pray, weep, and yearn  for understanding during a time without many answers.

Some of us may find ourselves with more...

6 Steps to Changing Others

One of my favorite pastimes is thinking of all the things I would like to change in other people.  I find it far less interesting, and far more intrusive, to think about changing myself.  Digging to find the rough spots in my soul is difficult; throwing stones at others is far easier.

I've developed quite a talent for this.  I can point out the flaws of people I've known for years.  I can pinpoint the failings of people I've just recently met.  And I can even sometimes imagine the...

The New Fig Leaf

Picture yourself naked.  In public.  What do you feel?  Exposed?  Self-conscious?  Ashamed?

Adam and Eve knew what it was like to feel this way.  They also knew what it was like to feel something else entirely.  Or perhaps what they also knew shouldn't be described as a feeling at all.  Perhaps they simply had a lack of awareness of the fact that something was wrong with them, because nothing was wrong with them at first.

They lived in the garden and walked among the trees and made their home...

I've Given Up Everything For This

When others' words kindle my own flame:  Reflections on words by Lindsey Vonn, 2010 Olympic Champion.

"I've given up everything for this.  It means everything to me. It's why I work hard.  I got what I came here to do.  I got a gold medal; I have what I want."

Tears have a funny way of releasing things.  Lindsey Vonn's tears were no different.  As she stood at the bottom of the mountain at Whistler, Olympic Gold as her prize, the Women's Downhill Champion's tears shone brightly in the sun.

She...

Why The Cross Matters Most

Is it possible to talk too much about the cross?

I ask this question only because some preachers and writers and teachers seem to talk about the cross a lot.  Some do so almost continually.  We can understand why they might carry on in this way because we know the primacy and weight of Calvary.  But there are still times this thought crosses many of our minds:  "Great, so I understand the cross is important.  But can't we move on to the next topic?"

We say this sort of thing when we feel our...

The Man Who Saw The Need

There's a disruptive tear in the fabric of life when someone dies.  Tens of thousands of people die each day, but we live unaware of this fact until death comes close enough for us to touch.  Death becomes real during those moments as the fabric is torn, shaking us to our bones, opening up the depths of our souls to a reality we all must one day face for ourselves.

Death brings a perspective we need but would rather not have.  James tells us our lives are like a vapor, and death rips open the ...