Daniel Tomberlin

We tend to think that being called and anointed by God gives us a favored status which lifts us above accountability. The story of David reminds us that anointing brings greater accountability. David was a man after God’s heart and God anointed him to be king over Israel. The story of his defeat over Goliath is legendary and established him a one of Israel’s great heroic figures. As with most successful people, David was tempted to think too highly of himself. In David we have an example of an unintentional toxic leader. He began well, but his failures had lasting consequences.

Continue reading “When the Anointed One Falls”

Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before stumbling (Proverbs 16:18).

The proud are lifted up, exalted, and self-important. The arrogance of humanity is often depicted in the lives of great kings. King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon toured his capital and reflected on his self-worth: “Is this not Babylon the great, which I myself have built as a royal residence by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?” (Daniel 4:30). Nebuchadnezzar’s words – might, power, glory, and majesty – reveal the desire of the human heart and mind. Like Adam before him (Genesis 3:5), the Babylonian king desired to be a god.

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Pentecostalism and sacramentalism are not mutually exclusive. By its very nature Pentecostalism is sacramental. Sacramentalism suggests that God mediates salvific grace through material means. The Pentecostal doctrine of baptism in the Holy Spirit with the initial physical evidence of speaking in other tongues provides the paradigm for Pentecostal sacramentalism.

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Christmas is a season of joy. We celebrate the birth of the Jesus Christ, the son of God, and with the angels we sing, “Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased” (Luke 2:14 ESV). But then there are those moments of terror – those times when our celebration is interrupted by news of tragedy. This is Christmas for our family this year. Early in the morning of Christmas Eve we received a call from our son Nathan. His brother-in-law, Seth, was killed in a tragic accident. 

Continue reading “Everyday is Christmas”