Back to Basics

This book is part storytelling narrative, part honest teaching, and part untempered, spontaneous conversation between three friends on the basics of living in the kingdom of God. In May of 2009 Doug Roberts, Ben Pasley, and Tim F. Thornton took an old beat up RV into the mountains near Woodland Park, Colorado and for three days did little more than fish, eat, and record conversations on foundational truths. These beautiful pictures of kingdom life become even more potent when we witness them shared between three generations of spiritual lineage–from fathers to sons.

Chapter Overview:

1. God’s Love

If you are not grounded in knowing that the Father loves you no matter what, then the devil will always question you about the Father’s love for you. How you receive God’s love effects not only your ability to love the Father but also your ability to love yourself and others.

2. Walking in Forgiveness.

Lay aside falsehood and speak truth to each other. Don’t give the devil an opportunity. Let bitterness, wrath, anger and slander be put away from you, along with malice, and forgive each other as God in Christ also forgave you.

3. Exercising Faith.

Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.

4. Knowing the Holy Spirit.

“I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and in you and will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” John 14:16–17

5. Being in Christ.

Once you have believed in Christ for salvation, then you need to learn how to be in Christ so you can do the works that the Father has prepared beforehand for you to do.

6. Practicing Righteousness.

“Little children, make sure no one deceives you; the one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous.” 1 John 3:7

7. Rejoicing in Suffering.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

8. Ruling Your Soul.

“I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.” 3 John 1:2