I would like to introduce Bruce Chant who has agreed to be interviewed about his work.

When I met Bruce on Twitter, two things leaped out at me.

First he has an amazing number of followers on Twitter (over 30,000!) and Facebook (over 1,100 likes). Being new to these media outlets, I am impressed by those who have done well using them.

Secondly, his blog, EDevotional, where he regularly posts devotionals really drew me in. His devotionals often use well-known Bible verses in a unique way to encourage and challenge his readers. His own spiritual journey frequently is fodder for his work along with a smattering of psychological insights. I find myself slowing down and evaluating the health of my spiritual life when I read his work.

So, let’s meet Bruce Chant!

Kerry: Please tell me about yourself.

Bruce:
My name is Bruce Chant. I am a husband and father of two great kids. I live on the West Coast of Australia in a city called Perth. It’s a great place to live, so much so that we joke about the Perth-ect weather here!

I have 14 years of experience in pastoral roles in the church, but now I run my business and ministry which specializes in Communications and Strategy. I also consult to churches on these matters helping them uncover their unique identity and how to move forward from there. Lastly, I have recently ventured into the world of publishing! I have published an iPad App Magazine which is available via iTunes called R3 Magazine (AppStore.com/R3magazine). It is a magazine for Christians, to encourage the 3 Rs – Revelation, Revival and Reformation – in their lives. In my spare time I blog at EDevotional and I’m working on a couple of books I hope to get out in the coming months.

Kerry: What was the inspiration for EDevotional?

Bruce: EDevotional grew out of my own devotional life. I shared various snippets and things I had written with friends and from the feedback I got I thought, why not put this online. So that is what I did!

Basically, I like to think EDevotional comes out of place of “what is God saying to me”, through my devotional life in the Word of God. Then, where it is relevant and helpful, I publish posts that I pray help those reading it gain greater focus and clarity on God’s heart and desire for us. I have also put together a couple of special devotional series that are sent out via email. I’ve put one out for each of the past two years and have had amazing feedback, so I’d like to do more along these lines.

Kerry: How did you get started writing devotionals?

Bruce: As I mentioned, it was just a thought that “hey, maybe others would enjoy this too?” I have always journaled and written notes on what I find in the Word of God and so it all stems from there.

Kerry: I’ve noticed a psychological component to your devotionals. Talk about your integration of theology and psychology?

Bruce: Wow that is a good question. I am in no ways a person with a clear understanding of psychology so I will do my best to answer that question!

A couple of things come to mind. I think when it comes to Bible teaching or devotions there are two angles to take the human angle looking up (i.e. this is life, how does God fit in) and the heavenly angle looking down (i.e. this is God, how does life fit in). I think both are relevant and necessary. I tend to write more from the second angle, probably because that is how I tend to “hear” God in my own devotional life.

But I am aware that can be very “preachy” in tone and can easily become theoretical and highly conceptual in nature. And that doesn’t make for a great devotional thought! So I do like to mix that up with some simple “How to” type posts. Ultimately, the Christian faith is about living, not about theory. Of course our beliefs inform our actions, but providing some simple and accessible tools, tips and direction can be helpful in putting our faith into action, starting with our own devotional life.

Not sure I answered the question, but there you are!

Kerry: What surprising insight or blessing have you gained from writing?

Bruce: The greatest blessing in writing is the lucidity of thought that comes with it. I tend to start with some notes I’ve hand written, but I find as I type I do gain (or am forced towards in some cases) greater clarity. That to me is a great blessing.

The other great blessing of course, is feedback and encouragement from people I have never met, often from the other side of the planet. That is also a great “wow” factor in writing for me.

Kerry: What unexpectedly writing-related difficulty have you encountered, if any?

Bruce: For me it is finding time to focus in order to write well. The irony for me is that I tend to write better when I have a time constraint. But the downside to that is rushing what I write and it not carrying the thought as clearly as I’d like. No one wants to put out rubbish work.

I am working with my schedule now to create from time slots that work as a positive constraint towards good writing!

Kerry: What is your current favorite Bible verse and why?

Bruce: Wow, this is hard. For me it tends to change season to season in my life. I guess one that I do come back to is Psalm 37. So much good stuff in there!

Kerry: You have quite large following on Twitter. Any helpful tips to pass along to those new to Twitter who are building their social platform?

Bruce: I think if you’ve got something to say, you need to find people who might like to hear it! So I’d say be proactive in finding people with a similar interest, follow them and say hello. I would also definitely say make sure you have good, interesting, well-considered tweets to tweet, regularly. Don’t fill up your time line with other people’s retweets (although RT what is worth RTing) or inane comments about losing your keys or what you’re having for breakfast. It is fine line between being real and authentic online and being superficial, or dare I say, a bore. Work out what you want to say and say it. People will appreciate it!

Kerry: Bruce, thank you very much for taking time to tell us more about yourself!

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If you would like to be blessed and encouraged, please check out Bruce’s work online:

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“Pilate tried to set Jesus free, but the Jewish leaders kept shouting, ‘If you let this man go, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who claims to be a king opposes Caesar.’

Finally Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified.”

John 19:12, 16

As I read of Pilate’s encounter with Jesus I am struck by the situation’s familiarity. There have been many occasions when I have found myself in the same spot as Pilate.

No, I don’t mean I have repeatedly handed Jesus over to an angry mob to be crucified …. or have I?

What am I talking about?

In John’s account of the meeting between Pilate and Jesus (John 18:28-19:16), Pilate immediately recognized he was in a bit of trouble. The Jewish leaders brought Jesus to Pilate’s palace for judgment. When Pilate challenged their request, he learned the leaders wanted Jesus executed but lacked the authority.

Uh-oh. The request before Pilate was technically outside his jurisdiction. His reaction suggested he knew this, but he didn’t want to inflame this powerful constituency. So, he tried to weasel his way out. Even though the religious leaders’ accusations lacked merit, Pilate offered to release Jesus as a part of the Passover custom.

Of course this maneuver failed. Pilate then had Jesus flogged, and presented a beaten man to the angry crowd. They were not mollified.

At this point Pilate probably felt the noose tightening around his political throat. The correct decision was to refuse to get involved, but Pilate’s desire to please these powerful people outweighed his moral compass.

He tried one more tactic to escape the double bind. “You take him and crucify him. As for me, I find no basis for a charge again him.” (John 19:6b).

The Jewish leaders were ready for this argument, “If you let this man go, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who claims to be a king opposes Caesar.” (John 19:12).

Checkmate. Game over.

Crucifying Jesus was clearly the wrong decision. Pilate was now between a rock and a hard place. He faced losing his career and possibly his life if he failed to please the crowd.

When faced with similar situations I usually get a funny feeling in the pit of my stomach. Do I risk losing face by standing up for what is right? Expediency and self-interest are powerful motivators. Like Pilate, I often value saving my skin over doing what is right.

What does this reveal about me?

Besides my cowardliness, it demonstrates the smallness of my “god.” I fail to see that God is bigger than my circumstance. I act as if he will not come to my rescue. Is God’s arm really too short to save me (Numbers 11:22)?

Pilate’s dilemma is all too familiar. It reminds me I need to gain a bigger perspective of God or risk making the same mistake as Pontius Pilate.

Sobering thought

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By the way, please visit my page on Facebook where I frequently add status updates and provide more information.

Note: I wrote and published this devotional October 12, 2009 on my first blog. I decided to publish it again here (with some minor revisions). Re-reading it brought to mind all the changes the last few years have brought to my life. There certainly have been challenges, the sudden death of my father, children growing up and leaving home, and unexpected illnesses, to name a few. However, God continues to be faithful! I am very thankful to have Jesus Christ as my firm foundation.

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.”

Matthew 7:24-25

A few years ago a strong wind storm blew through my hometown tearing down power lines and damaging trees.

During my afternoon walk, I noticed a beautiful old maple tree. Even though it looked worn, it had once again withstood the recent adverse conditions and thrived. What enabled this tree to survive years of storms? Why had other seemingly sturdy trees succumbed to the rough weather?

This question reminded me of Jesus’ parable found in Matthew 7:21-27. Jesus told a story about a man who built his house on the rock. The rain came, streams rose, and wind blew and beat against it, yet it withstood these conditions.

Many believers, however, seem to think doing the will of God should mean having a stress-free life. As I read these verses I noticed Jesus didn’t suggest having faith in God would result in a life without adversity. If fact, his story suggests us should expect trouble. All kinds of trouble.

Yet, this parable indicates that when we build our lives on Jesus and his truths we will be able to withstand all of life’s challenges. We will be like this old maple tree which has seen thousands of storms yet not only survives, but continues to thrives. It has rooted itself in very solid ground, a firm foundation. Jesus wants to be this kind of foundation for you and me.

“For God gave us a Spirit who produces not timidity, but power, love, and self-discipline.”
2 Timothy 1:7 (Complete Jewish Bible, David H. Stern)

Lately I have been learning more about God’s boundless grace.

I don’t know why I am surprised to discover that God’s grace is limitless. After all, God himself is infinite. Why should his grace have boundaries or limitations?

The limits I encounter must exist within me, rather than in him.

I know. . .

God is never afraid ― yet, many things keep me up at night and make my jaw ache.

God is love ― however, I struggle to even adequately love myself, let alone to love others well.

God is all-powerful ― I know I am very weak. It took two of us to push my small hybrid car off of a tiny patch of ice.

God has perfect control over himself and all things ― yet I can’t even resist the last bite of dessert.

So when I previously read 2 Timothy 1:7 I completely missed the point. I mistakenly thought it meant I wasn’t supposed to be fearful. That I was to figure out how to act powerful, loving and disciplined. What a hopeless situation!

But I had gotten it wrong.

It wasn’t until I read another translation that I realized this verse was describing God’s Spirit, not mine.

Now I know God is neither surprised nor disappointed by my timidity. In fact, he expects it. And in his anticipation of my fearfulness he has provided me a way out. He has placed within my heart, his amazing Holy Spirit who is all-powerful, able to perfectly love, and maintain self-control.

What amazing grace!

Dear Lord,
Thank you for understanding my limitations and imperfections. And thank you for your wonderful gift of the Holy Spirit. Please let your power, love and self-discipline reign over my life.

Amen

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

A friend called me this week. Her husband has been scheduled for a diagnostic procedure to rule out serious medical conditions. As she spoke I could hear fear in her voice. She told me she knew she was to trust God for the outcome of her family’s health. After all, we are repeatedly instructed “not to fear” (Exodus 20:20, Psalm 3:6, Psalm 27:3, Isaiah 8:12, Isaiah 43:1, 1 Peter 3:14, not an exhaustive list). She, however, was feeling overwhelmed by anxiety.

Her emotional struggle made me ask, “How do we not fear as we face the unknown, our own or a loved one’s pain and suffering, or even death?”

As I spoke to her the verses in Philippians: 4:6-7 came to my mind. I usually focus on the commandments in the verse. They instruct us to “do not be anxious about anything” (emphasis mine) and “present your requests to God.” I find it easy to present my requests to God, but much harder not to be anxious. The perfectionist in me starts to squirm and asks, “Am I never to be anxious or afraid?” This command seems impossible to achieve.

As I read these verses again my eyes catches the last part of the text. They contain a promise! I have never noticed that before. If we faithfully, and even childishly, present our requests and demands before God, he pledges to guard our hearts and minds with his amazing peace. Like a soldier, he stands watch over us and protects us so that we are not overwhelmed or destroyed by threatening circumstances.

God as my protector–what a comforting thought! And with the Almighty God on guard, how can any threat stand a chance!

I feel relief with this new insight. God knows I am weak and has already provided for my needs. His peace is my security and protector as life takes unexpected turns.

Dear Lord,
Thank you for your all-surpassing peace that guards and protects my heart and mind from the things that threaten to overwhelm me. Remind me to run to you whenever I feel stressed, nervous, or afraid. I know that you have promised to be the Protector of my heart and mind.

Amen

Thank you for joining me here!

This blog will serve a complete of purposes. First, it will provide a place to share spiritual reflections, such as, what I have been learning as I face life challenges, and how has God been speaking to me.

Secondly, it will be used to provide the latest updates and developments with my devotional writings.

Speaking of my writing—after taking the last couple of years off from writing and publishing the first two devotionals, I have gotten back into action! Lately I have been working to get the word out about the first two books. I recently finished a giveaway of Goodreads Bringing Hope and Healing which had a great response. Currently, an ebook giveaway of 50 copies of the same book is occurring at Library.

I also will be hosting a FREE ebook giveaway of Book 1 from March 6th-11th!

The invitation is open to all my friends and followers (and to all of their friends and followers!) on Goodreads,Twitter, and Facebook! I hope you will join me for that event! You can find out more information about it at either Goodreads or Facebook Ebook Giveaway Event

There is one last piece of news. I am back to work on the third devotional! This book will change focus from examining our relationship with Jesus Christ to exploring our personal experience of God’s presence. The format will be similar to the first two books with an introduction to each chapter’s topic along with a meditation exercise and musical playlist. It will also include four days of short devotionals that will expand on the topic followed by a concluding thought. The tentative title for this book is God, Where are You When I Need You? Exploring our Experience of God’s Presence.