“Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.” (1 Thessalonians 2:8) This verse — written by Paul, Silas, and Timothy regarding their time with the Thessalonians — hung on the wall for years in…
Read More
If you’re like me, the truth that challenges and struggles are an inevitable part of every season of life isn’t exactly comforting. I’m just not to the point where I can say I rejoice in suffering. In fact, most of my biggest worries and fears are related to how to…
Read More
What comes to your mind when you think of standing? Waiting? Boredom? Wasted time? I think we’ve imagined that standing is a passive activity that doesn’t require much effort, but that’s not true when we’re talking about standing for the Lord. I won’t insult your intelligence by saying that standing…
Read More
To everything there is a season, friends. I believe God is allowing the church to grow in strength, hope, and meaning. I’ve had to ask myself: Am I willing to grow in resilience through community? Am I ready to push myself, be bold, risk security? Am I willing to foster…
Read More
We know the line from the Ten Commandments: “Honor your father and mother” (Exodus 20:12, Deuteronomy 5:16) Jesus emphasized this again when asked by the "rich young ruler" which commandments he should keep (Matthew 19:19; Mark 10:19, Luke 18:20). Clearly, this is important to God. But what does it mean?…
Read More
Which is easiest to change — thinking or acting? Acting is often chosen and written about, but thinking is actually easier to change. Consider this: thinking about changing our actions precedes the actions, right? That does not mean that you believe the thinking, but you are acting on it nevertheless.…
Read More
America is in desperate need of moral and spiritual renewal. The church must be the instrument of that awakening. We should remember what Jesus said in Matthew 5:13-16: “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then…
Read More
"You are blessed when they insult you and persecute you and falsely say every kind of evil against you because of me. Be glad and rejoice, because your reward is great in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Matthew 5:11-12 One of the…
Read More
But. It’s a small word that carries a lot of power. When we use the word but, people brace themselves for what comes next, or they might even make a face. We may not want hear what follows it, but we have to pay attention if we want a complete…
Read More
Weakness and our inability are a commodity in God’s economy. One passage has made me a champion of weakness more than any other. In 2 Corinthians 12, Paul struggled with something that was causing him pain, distraction, or both. The answer Paul got was the answer I needed back then,…
Read More
