Father of the Inklings

COA #81 - Put On the Character of Christ

There are many secondary aspects of God's will that are good, right and scriptural elements of spirituality with which we should be concerned. We do well to understand these, and to pray for God to develop them within us... But what is God's primary will for his people...What is it that God wants to do in your life, and in mine, above all other things? 

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.

COA #80 - Speak Not to Flatter, Impress, or Please Men

Let us pose a probing question. The more personal layers of the onion we peel off in formulating an answer may reveal startling, even shocking, truths about ourselves. 

How much of our speech is subtly laced with the hidden desire to impress? 

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.

COA #79 - Speak to Edify, Encourage and Bless One Another

The final two commands of this section are intrinsically related, yet they point in opposite directions. Speech will always build up or tear down someone. These last two commands identify the two objects of that building or tearing--others or ourselves. 

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.

COA #78 - Do Not Quarrel

The injunction against quarreling is fascinating to find among the commands, not because it comes as a surprise, but because of how completely accepted it is in the body of Christ. Is there any more commonplace relational dynamic in the church than this? 

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.

COA #77 - Do Not Swear

The words the mouth speaks are one of the most accurate measures of what lies deep inside. Careless speech reveals careless character. 

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.

COA #76 - Do Not Gossip, Slander, or Lie

Most of us reading this command will not automatically think of ourselves in connection with such clear violations of integrity as these words indicate. 

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.

COA #75 - Do Not Grumble, Complain, or Speak Against Others

Consider the fascinating word grumble. At first glance it seems like such a minor violation of gracious speech. What's the big deal? Why does Paul command us not to grumble? Because it is a seed-sin. It acts like a mustard seed. From it, bigger things grow. Grumbling yields fruit. Its fruits lead to more serious sins. 

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.

COA #74 - Say What You Mean

We all have our favorite passages of Scripture. These two are among mine. Matthew 5:37: Let your "Yes" be "Yes." and your "No," "No." (NIV) Later James quotes his brother almost word for word. James 5:12: Let your yes be yes and your no be no. (RSV) 

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.

COA #73 - Be Quick to Listen, Slow to Speak

The two brothers, Jesus and James, left the church with many of the same messages, exhortations, and commands. One signature tune they share is this: Listen. 

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.

COA #72 - Control Your Tongue

Speaking and listening are intrinsically linked. Not only are the tongue and the ears physically located in close proximity--the back of the tongue and the two inner ears all function within a couple inches of each other--their seemingly opposite function is not opposite at all. They represent the two sides of the same coin. 

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.