Category: theology

Posted in sing, theology

There’s singing, and there’s singing

Posted on by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

Paul was going about doing his business preaching the Gospel and ministering, and a demon-possessed slave girl kept following them and shouting that they were from God showing the way to salvation. Irked at having a demonic forerunner, Paul finally exorcised the demon from her. However, her owners seeing that their hope of gain was gone, had Paul and his companion Silas arrested and beaten. Paul and Silas were thrown into the inner prison. Continue reading “There’s singing, and there’s singing” →

Posted in discernment, theology

Passion Conference: Parents barred from attending, errant teachings introduced, false teachers lauded, and more. Linkapalooza inside

Posted on by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

The Atlanta Passion Conference is a Christian conference aimed at older teens and college-aged students. I live not too far from Atlanta, and I live near a University town. Lots of young folks around here flock to the annual Passion Conference in Atlanta at this time of year. This year’s conference just closed. I have received several questions about the conference from friends in real life and online. Here is some information about this conference I’ve written in the past. Hopefully it will bring to light the major concerns with this conference. I do not recommend it for several reasons, which are explored in the links below. Continue reading “Passion Conference: Parents barred from attending, errant teachings introduced, false teachers lauded, and more. Linkapalooza inside” →

Posted in theology, word of the week

Sunday Word of the Week- Fruit of the Spirit: Patience

Posted on by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22).

The fruit of the Spirit is singular. It’s all one fruit. It’s not like the believer works on love one month and then patience the next and then moves on to self-control. It’s all one, and the one is love. If one loves the Savior, they will be joyful, and that joy will permeate all that he or she does, including relationships with believers and non-believers. Same with peace. Peace will characterize their relationships, and patience will be a hallmark of relationships, and so on. Continue reading “Sunday Word of the Week- Fruit of the Spirit: Patience” →

Posted in book review, theology

Book Review: Sarah Ivill’s “Never Enough: Confronting the Lies about Appearance and Achievement with Gospel Hope”

Posted on by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

Never Enough: Confronting Lies About Appearance and Achievement With Gospel Hope, at 128 pages, is readable and relatable.

Published August 2019 by Reformation Heritage Books, it’s written by Sarah Ivill (ThM, Dallas Theological Seminary), a Reformed author, mother, homemaker, Bible study teacher, and retreat and conference speaker who lives in Matthews, North Carolina, and is a member of Christ Covenant Church (PCA). Continue reading “Book Review: Sarah Ivill’s “Never Enough: Confronting the Lies about Appearance and Achievement with Gospel Hope”” →

Posted in theology

What About Humility?

Posted on by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

He must increase, but I must decrease. (John 3:30)

I was listening to a devotional on the radio as I drove down the road. The announcer said,

“Humility is the one quality you lose the moment you think you have it.”

It’s true, if you think about it.

Humility is elusive, but keeping our eyes focused on Jesus helps our humility along, or rather, slays the innate pride we all possess.

Geoffrey Thomas at Ligonier said, Continue reading “What About Humility?” →

Posted in christian living, theology

Is our social media presence edifying and Christlike?

Posted on by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

I love the Redeeming Productivity blog and podcast. Here is the author, Reagan Rose’s summary of its raison d’être:

A Christian Approach to Getting Stuff Done- timeThis is Redeeming Productivity, a blog and podcast, where we talk about technology, techniques, and theology in the light of the Bible, to help Christians get more done and glorify God in how they do it.

I find his voice soothing and his material Christ honoring and useful for the everyday Christian. Recently there was a podcast talking about “How to behave like a Christian on the internet.” Continue reading “Is our social media presence edifying and Christlike?” →

Posted in encouragement, theology

Whispers from the Dust: Isaiah and Necromancy

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By Elizabeth Prata

I’ve been reading Isaiah through the Advent season. This time I’ve been appreciating the poetic language Isaiah uses. Isn’t it amazing how, each time you read through a book of the Bible, the Spirit orients our mind toward a different aspect? He can and does do this infinitely, eternally. The Word is living and active and eternal, so it’s a refreshing and lively journey through the scriptures every time, and every time is different.

The following verses stopped me in appreciation of how the language is used. These are in the NASB because that is the translation my study Bible is in- Continue reading “Whispers from the Dust: Isaiah and Necromancy” →

Posted in potpourri, theology

Prata Potpourri: Christ-honoring AM routine, the First Seminary, Power of a Word, Sad Love Songs, more

Posted on by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

daily murray

My cat. Don’t let the sweetness fool you, he is running around like a nut yelling his head off. I’ll miss him as I head back to school this morning. Many of us are returning to our regular routines after the holidays. We say, well, ‘back to real life!’ but the real life we have is hid in Christ. The real life we have is in heaven as citizens of the kingdom of eternity. The real life we have is in His grace saved by faith, a wonder and a joy. The real life we have is eternal, begun now, but continued at death.

Have a great day everyone! Enjoy these links I’ve rounded up for you. Continue reading “Prata Potpourri: Christ-honoring AM routine, the First Seminary, Power of a Word, Sad Love Songs, more” →

Posted in theology, word of the week

Sunday Word of the Week: Fruit of the Spirit, Joy

Posted on by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

On Sundays I usually post a theological word with its definition, then an explanation, and use it in a verse. I also use a picture to represent the concept. This is my effort to maintain a theological literacy among the brethren and between generations, something I believe is critical. We have to know what we believe, why, and know the words to express it. Words like Justification, Immanence, and Perspicuity have all been a Sunday Word of the Week. Continue reading “Sunday Word of the Week: Fruit of the Spirit, Joy” →