The Blazing Center

Overexamining Your Heart

10 August 2010

510015 CommentsOverexamining+Your+Heart2010-08-10+20%3A27%3A18Stephen+Altrogge

I generally don’t like to disagree with Jonathan Edwards. He’s been called the greatest American theologian. He had an incredibly sharp mind, a passion for God that far exceeds my current passion for God, freakish amounts of discipline, and the inner drive of a CEO. In many ways I would like to be Jonathan Edwards. [...]

Little By Little

16 May 2010

45538 CommentsLittle+By+Little2010-05-16+10%3A00%3A52Mark+Altrogge

God doesn’t transform us into the likeness of Christ overnight. He changes us little by little, day after day. He doesn’t drive the sin out of our lives in a single year, but day after day, year after year, much like he promised to drive Israel’s enemies out of the promised land: And I will [...]

The Deep Spiritual Life

13 May 2010

45487 CommentsThe+Deep+Spiritual+Life2010-05-13+13%3A57%3A16Stephen+Altrogge

If I want to have a deep, strong, thriving spiritual life, I need to take the advice of John Owen: The vigour, and power, and comfort of our spiritual life depends on the mortification of the deeds of the flesh. (Temptation and Sin, pg. 9) If we don’t vigorously fight against our sin, we won’t [...]

Jesus Christ, CEO

6 April 2010

43595 CommentsJesus+Christ%2C+CEO2010-04-06+15%3A18%3A46Stephen+Altrogge

Do you ever wonder if your job really matters? All day long you sit in a cubicle and enter numbers into a spreadsheet. By the end of the day your eyes are ready to bleed and your brain synapses are shot. Or you work for a landscaping company, spending your days atop a lawn mower, [...]

Becoming By Beholding

5 April 2010

43556 CommentsBecoming+By+Beholding2010-04-05+10%3A00%3A27Mark+Altrogge

How do we become more like Christ? By beholding him. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit (2 CO 3.18). “In what way do we behold [...]

The Honor Competition

1 April 2010

43332 CommentsThe+Honor+Competition2010-04-01+10%3A00%3A32Stephen+Altrogge

“Outdo one another in showing honor.” (Romans 12:10) There should be a holy competition among God’s people. A competition of showing honor to one another. We’re called to outdo one another in showing honor. Half-hearted, irregular attempts don’t cut it. I’m supposed to outdo you in showing honor, and you’re supposed to outdo me. What [...]

God Knows What He’s About

29 March 2010

43127 CommentsGod+Knows+What+He%27s+About2010-03-29+10%3A00%3A16Mark+Altrogge

Ever tempted to think God doesn’t know what he’s doing? Read this poem a friend recently sent me. When God wants to drill a man And thrill a man And skill a man, When God wants to mold a man To play the noblest part; When He yearns with all His heart To create so [...]

The Trail of Discarded Eyeballs

22 March 2010

429110 CommentsThe+Trail+of+Discarded+Eyeballs2010-03-22+21%3A00%3A03Stephen+Altrogge

Every Christian should have a trail of discarded eyeballs behind them. At least, that’s what Jesus said: And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into the hell of fire. [...]

Not A Hint

2 March 2010

41767 CommentsNot+A+Hint2010-03-02+14%3A11%3A36Stephen+Altrogge

“But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality…” (Ephesians 5:3 NIV) Not even a hint. Not even a hint. Not even a HINT of sexual immorality. Paul doesn’t write, “Don’t sleep around with people you’re not married to.” He says, “There must not be even a hint of sexual immorality [...]

What Will Your Words Do Today?

25 February 2010

41346 CommentsWhat+Will+Your+Words+Do+Today%3F2010-02-25+16%3A00%3A11Stephen+Altrogge

“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” (Ephesians 4:29) Today, our words have the potential to do one of two incredible things. Our words can corrupt others. Like an infectious disease, [...]