I. Icebreaker — Stories of Reconciliation Before we turn to Nehemiah, let me connect us to where we’ve been the past couple of weeks. Two weeks ago, Tommy used home renovation shows—things like Property Brothers—to help us think about rebuilding. That fit Nehemiah well, because Nehemiah quite literally asks the king for permission to rebuild … Continue reading Confession, Reconciliation, Celebration
The content discusses the profound nature of forgiveness as exemplified in Psalm 32, highlighting the contrast between God’s unconditional forgiveness and human reluctance to forgive. It shares tragic stories, notably the Amish community's response to a shooting, emphasizing how true forgiveness is a choice that leads to healing and joy.
Introduction: Contextual Background So we’re going to cover Matthew 18, several parables together, so it’s going to feel like we’re moving quickly. But there’s a theme, a purpose to Matthew’s writings, so it’s important to understand before the study how this chapter fits within the larger story of Jesus' ministry. Matthew's Gospel is organized in … Continue reading From Humility to Forgiveness
The source of all forgiveness and hope is found in the living water offered to all through our Lord Christ Jesus. #biblestudy #LivingWater #Hope #Jesus
God wants us to be faithful, but we have our own ideas. We invite God's discipline, and He offers forgiveness and mercy.
Introduction Genesis 9:11 – Thus I establish My covenant with you: Never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of the flood; never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth. In Genesis 6, we are told that creation was in dire need of a “reset.” As we learned last … Continue reading Grace on the Ark
I. Introduction Opening discussion: Think of a time when a friend offered you forgiveness. How did you feel? When we put our trust in Jesus, God offers His forgiveness to us, and we should feel the same way. Today we're going to study Psalm 32 and experience God's forgiveness toward us. Charles Roberts was a … Continue reading Forgiveness
Welcome to the CLXXVIII edition of the Christian Carnival. Whoa, CLXXVIII. That's a lot of Roman letters just to say it's the 278th edition. My apologies for the late edition. Real life, as always, got in the way. No excuses, I'm just late. This week's best Christian writing is presented for your intellectual perusement and … Continue reading Christian Carnival CCLXXVIII
I hear a bad joke this weekend. Put your wife and your dog in the trunk of your car. Drive around town for a couple of hours. Now, stop and open the trunk. Which one do you think is happy to see you? I'd credit that joke to the appropriate sourse; I think it was … Continue reading In the Trunk
The best way to give wings to the Christmas Spirit is to give gifts to people who need them. My wife and I exchanged few gifts this year, opting instead to give to charities instead. Instead of giving somebody a trinket they didn't need, we'd ask them what their favorite charity was. Then we'd give … Continue reading How to Gain the Christmas Spirit
We’ve been studying the rise of David as King of Israel. David is an interesting man, full of failures, yet David is a man after God’s own heart. What makes David different? How is David different than Saul? As we studied in 1 Samuel, the people of Israel demanded a king and God gave them … Continue reading Responding to Loss
La Shawn Barber asks Obama, "Who Do You Say Jesus Is?" Obama portrays himself a man of faith. But a man's level of faith is far less important than what he has placed his faith in. If you have a tremendous amount of faith in the Energizer Bunny, it's far less effective than faith the … Continue reading Question for Obama: Who Do You Say Jesus Is?
Sweet treats for everybody; I'd like to pass out some candy favors today; little pieces of sweetness as a symbol of the wonderful friends we've developed in this class. (For my illustration today, I'll pass out little candy favors to everybody, but "accidentally" overlook Margaret.) Sometimes big conflicts can fracture a relationship. Sometimes, little things … Continue reading Reconciliation
Chasing the Wind is honored to host the 219th edition of the Christian Carnival II, the blogosphere's best Christian writing. My comments on the post in italics after each entry, but I left the author's original thoughts when he or she provided them. I included almost all posts I received; I excluded two from the … Continue reading Christian Carnival CCXIX
I’m sure you’ve all heard the prayer that goes, Dear God, So far today, I've done all right. I haven't gossiped, and I haven't lost my temper. I haven't been grumpy, nasty or selfish. But in a few minutes, God, I'm going to get out of bed and that is when I'm going to need … Continue reading Resisting Temptation
Michael Vick, the Atlanta Falcons quarterback, has been all over the news recently. Indicted for dog-fighting, his friends turning witness against him, loss of his quarterback position and the millions of dollars in signing bonuses and advertising deals, Michael Vick has certainly learned a hard and probably one-way lesson. And given the atrocious stories about … Continue reading Michael Vick: Where is Jesus?
The Duck & the Devil There was a little boy visiting his grandparents on their farm. He was given a slingshot to play with out in the woods. He practiced in the woods; but he could never hit the target. Getting a little discouraged, he headed back for dinner. As he was walking back he … Continue reading The Duck & The Devil
But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ's triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are an … Continue reading Daily Manna – 2 Corinthians 2:14-17
Ok, two newsletters in the last two days are prompting me to ask a question. I know there are some very knowledgeable Christians here, even an occasional pastor, that can answer this question. I've always been taught that part of growing closer to God is acknowledging that I am a sinner. And by golly, hard … Continue reading Question On Sin
During a study last night, we studied how to tell the Holy Spirit is moving in a Christian's life. When the bible doesn't give us a specific answer to a question in life - what college do I choose, when to have a baby, what career should I begin - listening to the Holy Spirit … Continue reading When the Holy Spirit Moves You
"Prince of Tides" Review Acting was excellent. Costuming, sets were excellent. Plot, for the most part, was excellent. Movie stunk. I know it's an old movie, but I saw it for the first time last night. Nick Nolte plays a troubled father, Tom, avoiding dealing with traumatic childhood. When his sister attempts suicide, her psychiatrist … Continue reading "Prince of Tides" Review
The most influential pope in modern times has passed away at the age of 84. Karol Jozef Wojtyla held the role of pontiff for 26 year. From the fall of communism to the forgiveness of the man who tried to assassinate him, Pope Jon Paul II lived an exemplary life. There are too many eulogies … Continue reading Rest in Peace,
It's amazing what God can do if you lean on him. 🙂 Diane & I divorced eight years ago. I ran off to Singapore to mope and instead found Christ. Turns out He wasn't lost after all. Studying scripture led me to understand that I was probably going to go solo for the rest of … Continue reading Michael & Diane
Brian Nichols, the man who murdered 4 people last Friday before taking Ashley Smith hostage in her home, is shown on the left. That's his angy looking police mug shot. After spending seven hours with Ashley on Friday while she shared her faith with him, the picture on the right is from Saturday after he … Continue reading Brian Nichols, Before and After
Matthew 12:34: For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. I've been asked to share my testimony at Second Baptist church this weekend. Everybody that comes to Christ has a story about how they finally gave up their stubborn ways and finally listened to what God has been saying to them. I … Continue reading Testify
Chasing the Wind 
You must be logged in to post a comment.