Father of the Inklings

Most Christians are well familiar with Jesus' injunction against condemnation: Judge not. We are less acquainted with the form of judgment he does tell us to make. 

From The Commands by Michael Phillips. Read by Michael Kimball. More information on this and similar writings may be found at Father of the Inklings. Visit Amazon to purchase The Commands and other books by Michael Phillips.

Sometimes the most wonderful scriptural insights are hidden in the most obscure words or phrases. We find one of these in the passage 2 Corinthians 6:11-13. 

From The Commands of the Apostles by Michael Phillips. Read by Michael Kimball. More information on this and similar writings may be found at Father of the Inklings. Visit Amazon to purchase The Commands of the Apostles and other books by Michael Phillips.

Literalists eager to discover loopholes in the Commands will easily be able to dismiss a blanket injunction against obscenity. 

From The Commands by Michael Phillips. Read by Michael Kimball. More information on this and similar writings may be found at Father of the Inklings. Visit Amazon to purchase The Commands and other books by Michael Phillips.

Servanthood again rises as the informing virtue and ethic in our lifelong self-training exercise to put other first. 

From The Commands of the Apostles by Michael Phillips. Read by Michael Kimball. More information on this and similar writings may be found at Father of the Inklings. Visit Amazon to purchase The Commands of the Apostles and other books by Michael Phillips.

The unfortunate image conjured up by this passage in the minds of many is of a poor suffering beast of burden, a hundred pound slab of oak laced to his back, a plow tied behind, laboring in the hot sun from sunup to sundown. Not a very appealing life! 

From The Commands by Michael Phillips. Read by Michael Kimball. More information on this and similar writings may be found at Father of the Inklings. Visit Amazon to purchase The Commands and other books by Michael Phillips.

There are two ways to read Jesus' invitation, Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 

From The Commands by Michael Phillips. Read by Michael Kimball. More information on this and similar writings may be found at Father of the Inklings. Visit Amazon to purchase The Commands and other books by Michael Phillips.

We speak a great deal about servanthood as the fundamental characteristic of Christian conduct. 

From The Commands of the Apostles by Michael Phillips. Read by Michael Kimball. More information on this and similar writings may be found at Father of the Inklings. Visit Amazon to purchase The Commands of the Apostles and other books by Michael Phillips.

Most commentators, theologians, pastors, and teachers, through the years have interpreted this passage through a salvationary lens. It may be, however, that a more subtle reading strikes closer to home, and perhaps probes more meaningfully to the heart of Jesus' intent. 

From The Commands by Michael Phillips. Read by Michael Kimball. More information on this and similar writings may be found at Father of the Inklings. Visit Amazon to purchase The Commands and other books by Michael Phillips.

From home and family relationships, the apostolic commands widen to embrace all relationships. As Christian ministry begins in the home and expands into the church, so too does the capacity and training to treat others in ways that reflect Christlikeness. 

From The Commands of the Apostles by Michael Phillips. Read by Michael Kimball. More information on this and similar writings may be found at Father of the Inklings. Visit Amazon to purchase The Commands of the Apostles and other books by Michael Phillips.

The familiar passage from Matthew 7 is usually associated with prayer, and the promise of answered prayer: Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. 

From The Commands by Michael Phillips. Read by Michael Kimball. More information on this and similar writings may be found at Father of the Inklings. Visit Amazon to purchase The Commands and other books by Michael Phillips.