thoughts on life and faith
7 “Can you solve the mysteries of God? Can you discover everything about the Almighty? 8 Such knowledge is higher than the heavens— and who are you? It is deeper than the underworld— what do you know? (Job 11:7-8) Always leave room for mystery in your faith. There are indisputable matters we can be sure of when … Continue reading The Three Words I Tell Students
The next few weeks in our student ministry we will be unpacking some popular songs to get at the message behind it. We have always wanted teens that look critically at the art around them, but more than that, ask the question "where is God in this?" I wholeheartedly believe that everyone is a theologian … Continue reading Stressed Out
40 And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matthew 26:40-41) Every good man or woman is one step away from utter ruin. Inside … Continue reading What I Am Tempted to Believe
12For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience, that we behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God (2Corinthians 1:12 There are many great boasts in this world. Social media was born on this platform but it's roots are as old as … Continue reading Let’s Get Simple
14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs (Romans 8:14-17) Yesterday … Continue reading Our Crooked Last Name
4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved (Ephesians 2:4-5) Last week I got the opportunity to talk to around fifty teens about labels. I'm convinced that no one understand being labeled quite like … Continue reading The Labels of This World
58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:58) The devil of Monday is in full swing. In ministry, Mondays are extra dastardly because they fall after Sunday which of course is primetime. In Mondays we find … Continue reading The Devil of Monday
Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:1-2) I have a flare for nostalgia. Events and people in our past always seem more special … Continue reading Looking Back
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give away … Continue reading Don’t Make Noise
12 and you shall know that I am the Lord. For you have not walked in my statutes, nor obeyed my rules, but have acted according to the rules of the nations that are around you. (Ezekiel 11:12) During the last year, this idea has been tested. With a contentious election and civil unrest, Christ followers have questioned … Continue reading Grace For the Bruised
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