Heart of the Matter

“Do this, as often as you drink it,

in remembrance of me.”

By Tim Walker

Communion was first shared between Melchizedek, the mysterious messianic archetype, and Abraham, the seminal covenant heir, amid a great battle for life and soul.  This first glimpse into God’s revelation of communion illuminates its eternal nature as well as its temporal implications.

Similarly, Jesus, who knows no beginning or end, meets us amid the struggles of life to expose the battle before us – to either surrender to Him for provision, deliverance, and promise or to align ourselves with the world’s ethos.  As we live the discipline of communion, the duration of each moment intersects (sometimes collides) with the eternal promise in Christ.

....Read MORE...

Fear Not

Christians Escaping Anxiety

by Tim Walker

What is Anxiety?
Merriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary defines anxiety as a “painful or apprehensive uneasiness of mind usually over and impending or anticipated ill.”

WebMD states that anxiety is simply a “feeling of apprehension, fear or worry.”

Dr. Charles Swindoll writes, “Anxiety is the painful uneasiness of the mind that feeds on impending fears. In its mildest form we simply churn. In its most severe form we panic.”.

...Read MORE 📖...

Grace

Walking With God

By Tim Walker

Introduction
“Amazing grace! how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now I’m found, was blind, but now I see.
Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved;
how precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed!
Thro’ many dangers, toils, and snares, I have already come;
tis grace hath bro’t me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promised good to me, His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be as long as life endures.”

Oh, what wealth we find in this simple, yet beautiful song. God’s grace is truly amazing.

...Read MORE 📖 ...

Supremacy

A Thematic Outline of Paul’s Letter to The Colossians

By Tim Walker

“He is the exact radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power.” Hebrews 1

I. THE ABSOLUTE SUPREMACY OF CHRIST

  A. HE IS:
the image of the invisible God 1:15
Matthew 1:23; John 1:18; John 14:9-11; Hebrews 1:3
first-born of all creation 1:15
John 1:1-18; John 3:16-18; John 10:30 & 14:9; 1st John 4:9
before all things 1:17........

...Read MORE. 📖...

Theodicy

         The Existence of Evil in a Good & Omnipotent God’s World

By Tim Walker

Introduction

“God is so good,
God is so good, “He cares for me,
God is so good, He cares for me,
He’s so good to me!” He cares for me,
He’s so good to me!”

High in the protective hills of religiosity, children are taught to believe in one unshakable truth; God is good. Yet down on the breaks of living, waves of tragedy buffet our fleeting shores – “My soul is in anguish. How long, O LORD, how long?” (Psalm 6:3 NIV) Such a cry to God reaches for the defense of the goodness and omnipotence of God in view of the existence of evil. A finite study, such as this, in the seemingly infinite discussions that surround evil found in a Good God’s world, must first appreciate what it is not. This endeavor is not an attempt to summarize or critique the many theories pertaining to Theodicy, nor does it hope to discover the ever-elusive definitive answer to such an inquest. Rather, the work at hand is a journey back toward the irreducible minimums set up in God’s revelation of Himself, recognizing that any “answers” must be found amidst such parameters. More importantly, this endeavor, in no way, attempts to build a framework for ministering to the countless casualties left in tragedy’s wake. It hopes, however, to point toward the foundation upon which all true comfort must be constructed.

...Read MORE 📖...

 TOWARD AN INTEGRATIVE THEORY OF  VOCATION AND VOLITION:

LOCATING THE HISTORICAL CONCEPT OF CHRISTIAN CALLING IN THE CONTEMPORARY PSYCHOLOGICAL TREATMENT OF MOTIVATION

Doctrinal Thesis

By Tim Walker

Presented to the Educational Foundations and Leadership Department
and the School of Education, of George Fox University
in partial fulfillment of the requirements
for the degree of
Doctor of Education
May 20, 2014

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to identify similarities between the Christian concept of calling and educational psychology’s theories on motivation. This study includes a review of historical and contemporary literature concerning calling alongside a review of literature pertaining to Self-Determination Theory. I use these reviews first to understand how Christians have historically understood and applied the concept of calling as motivation. Secondly, they are used to determine if Self Determination Theory relates to the Christian concept of calling. And, thirdly, they are used to discover areas in which Self-Determination Theory offers insight into the Christian concept of calling’s potential capacity to generate motivation. The results of this research suggest that similarities between the two exist and that integration of the concepts can be achieved in an understanding of the biblical view of humanity’s creation and intended purpose. Additionally, this research implies a need to build bridges between theology and educational psychology, as well as other scientific disciplines....

...Read MORE 📖...