8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:8-10) Currently our church is in the midst of an emphasis … Continue reading You Matter
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Can I Mosh in a Dentist Office?
Do you have your life together? I mean really, is it complete? I think one thing that seems to haunt our days is this feeling that we have to live up to some imaginary standard that we believe others are reaching. We live as if to impress and waste our thoughts in hopes of scamming … Continue reading Can I Mosh in a Dentist Office?
Jesus Often Wants What You Don’t
2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: 3 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:2-3) It is strange and heartbreaking times in which we find ourselves. Division, racism, politics, and violence rule our newsfeed and cloud our hearts. As the world caves into itself, … Continue reading Jesus Often Wants What You Don’t
The Three Words I Tell Students
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
Stressed Out
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
What I Am Tempted to Believe
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
Let’s Get Simple
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
Our Crooked Last Name
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
The Labels of This World
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
The Devil of Monday
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