The Blazing Center

How Do You Smell?

13 July 2010

48753 CommentsHow+Do+You+Smell%3F2010-07-14+01%3A57%3A22Mark+Altrogge

What a change Jesus works in us when he brings us to life. Christ himself comes to live through us. And the Spirit begins his work of transforming us into the image of Christ, from glory to glory. We begin to exude Jesus. But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in [...]

Kept Out of the Temple

4 June 2009

25109 CommentsKept+Out+of+the+Temple2009-06-04+17%3A42%3A27Stephen+Altrogge

And you shall keep guard over the sanctuary and over the altar, that there may never again be wrath on the people of Israel. (Numbers 18:5,7) The priests of Israel were given a solemn charge by the living God: do not let an outsider near the sanctuary. Don’t let them near the holy things, keep [...]

The Hound Of Heaven

27 April 2009

22954 CommentsThe+Hound+Of+Heaven2009-04-27+10%3A00%3A30Mark+Altrogge

I fled Him, down the nights and down the days; I fled Him, down the arches of the years; I fled Him, down the labyrinthine ways Of my own mind; and in the mist of tears I hid from Him….. From those strong Feet that followed, followed after. ( from “Hound of Heaven,” by Francis [...]

Never Feel Condemned

17 January 2008

24310 CommentsNever+Feel+Condemned2008-01-17+13%3A00%3A00Stephen+Altrogge

Psalm 103:12 “…as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.” Several years ago I took a trip with my family across the United States, starting in my hometown of Indiana, PA and ending up somewhere in the middle of Colorado. I learned several things on [...]

I’m In Serious Trouble

7 January 2008

2335 CommentsI%27m+In+Serious+Trouble2008-01-07+13%3A00%3A00Stephen+Altrogge

I’ve recently been reading the book The Gospel For Real Life by Jerry Bridges and have found my heart stirred with fresh love for God. Listen to this quote: Have you ever thought about what it means to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind? I don’t think any of us can fully [...]

Me Versus Paul – Cage Match

22 August 2007

930 CommentsMe+Versus+Paul+-+Cage+Match2007-08-22+12%3A45%3A00Stephen+Altrogge

This is part three of “The Work of Christ” series. The Apostle Paul would like to issue a challenge to anyone reading the book of Philippians. He would like to stack up his reasons for confidence in the flesh against your reasons for confidence in the flesh. Paul would like to engage with us in [...]

Paul Seriously Lacked Confidence

21 August 2007

920 CommentsPaul+Seriously+Lacked+Confidence2007-08-21+12%3A19%3A00Stephen+Altrogge

This is part two of “The Work of Christ” series. What would happen if you were in an accident and couldn’t read your Bible, or attend church, or fellowship with the saints for two months? What would happen if you were bedridden for the rest of your life and could no longer participate in “your [...]

I’m A Smuggler

20 August 2007

913 CommentsI%27m+A+Smuggler2007-08-20+12%3A00%3A00Stephen+Altrogge

Okay, I’ve got a confession to make: I’m a smuggler. There, I said it. I got it off my chest. No, I’m not a drug smuggler, I don’t smuggle illegal immigrants across the border, and I don’t smuggle candy into movie theaters (at least not anymore). I’m not like my Star Wars hero, Han Solo, [...]