What does it mean to be a witness? What does it mean to be a witness for Jesus? Many have defined witnessing for Jesus as being bold and sharing your faith. It may mean having a fish bumper sticker on your car or taking a stand on a hot-button issue. If you listen to some […]
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO HAVE A CALLING?
A dictionary of Christian jargon for the ordinary person
Many Christians talk about being called. Whether it’s to this ministry or to that particular church, many use the word “calling” to state their certainty in making decisions. In fact, it no longer is a decision when someone says they have been “called” to something. It means that something or someone external to them has […]
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE BLESSED?
A dictionary of Christian jargon for the ordinary person
What does it mean to be “blessed?” What is a blessing? What does it mean when someone utters the phrase “God bless you?” Somehow this religious word has entered into our culture and is now found on the lips of pop stars when they talk about how they won a Grammy. Even for a seemingly […]
ABIDE
A dictionary of Christian jargon for the ordinary person
What does it mean to abide? The dictionary defines abiding as staying, living, or dwelling. When the Bible speaks of abiding it usually speaks of abiding in someone rather than something. It usually speaks of abiding in Christ. And totally boggles the mind. Our minds can comprehend staying with someone or near someone. When it […]
DISCIPLE
A dictionary of Christian jargon for the ordinary person
What is a disciple? When I was younger I used to watch martial arts movies. In these movies there would be a master and he would always have one or more disciples. These disciples chose to learn kung fu from this master and they would follow his every move and hang on every word that […]
RIGHTEOUS
A dictionary of Christian jargon for the ordinary person
Righteous is a word you don’t really hear anymore. It sounds very archaic and conjures up images of a Puritan in stockings and a wig. To others it reminds them of outdated slang flowing from the mouth of a long haired hippie in the Haight Ashbury area of San Francisco in the late 1960’s. The […]
COUNTING THE COST
A dictionary of Christian jargon for the ordinary person
While in a church context you may hear people use the phrase “count the cost.” It is usually said as counsel before someone is making a decision. It is usually applied to a major undertaking such as a business opportunity or even marriage. When Jesus used it he was actually referring to a major undertaking: […]
WORSHIP
Christian lingo explained
Worship. To some, the word sounds otherworldly, religious or just plain boring. The truth is, everyday and in so many different ways we engage in the act of worship. Worship comes from a an old English word that means worth+ship or to show how much something is worth. So instead of being reserved for Sunday […]
GOD’S TIME
Christian Lingo Explained
What do Christians mean when they say “It’ll happen in God’s timing” or “I’m waiting for God’s time”? Most of us are familiar with time zones. When it is 5pm in London that does not mean it is 5pm in New York. Things are happening for different people in those two different places because of […]
SIN
A dictionary of Christian jargon for the ordinary person
I don’t know about you but all the English grammar that I learned in elementary school has leaked out of my brain. The English language is so complex. Some words in English can be verbs and nouns. Take for instance the word sleep. You can sleep the night away and someone can ask you if […]