Father of the Inklings

One of the first scriptures my mother taught my sisters and me was Romans 12:18. To this day the words are emblazoned on my memory where they were Scotch-taped to our refrigerator: If possible, so far as it depends upon you, live peaceably with all. 

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.

Unity is the great neglected virtue of the New Testament. It may, in fact, be the most important of all the virtues the church is to display to the world. 

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.

We find ourselves here facing a sometimes confusing, often misapplied, and complex command. 

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.

This command contains two elements. One, when problems and conflicts arise in the church--deal with them. Two, when problems have to be resolved, don't involve outsiders. As much as possible keep them in the church. 

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.

Paul wrote these words to sum up the 14th chapter of 1 Corinthians in which he had been setting forth guidelines for the use and operation of the spiritual gifts. 

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.

At first read, this command seems so obvious as to be unnecessary. Who would choose to use a gift unwisely? 

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.

It is occasionally easy to read Paul's words about the "weak on faith" from the self-aggrandizing perspective of my maturity. 

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.

Encouragement is personal. This command clearly comes as a corollary to building up the body of Christ. It is not limited, however, to our relationships with Christians or a church environment. We are exhorted to encourage all men, all women, all children, in all circumstances. This is a 24/7 command. 

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 analogy of building is used throughout Scripture as symbolic of spiritual growth and development. It is an especially apt image with respect to the church. 

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.

Christian teaching is built on maturity not celebrity. Gray hair not star power is the guide for leadership in the church. 

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.