I AM The True Vine

  I.      Introduction Diane is a wonderful gardener.  Our backyard is an oasis – flowers grow everywhere.  She tends the roses and the hibiscus, which she calls her “biscuits,” and she prunes them faithfully.  And sometimes, she’ll cut an especially beautiful flower and put it in a vase in the kitchen.  And here’s the thing … Continue reading I AM The True Vine

I AM The Door

I.      Introduction Think about all the doors you passed through today. You probably didn't think about a single one of them. You just walked through. That's what doors do when they're working correctly — they're invisible. You don't think about a door until it's locked and you don't have the key, or someone slams it … Continue reading I AM The Door

The Temple

  I.      Introduction – The Temple In our class last week, Tommy taught us that we should be prepared for the coming of the Lord.  Well, He’s here.  And here in Luke 2, we get our only inspired snapshot of Jesus between infancy and adulthood.  And we’ll see in just a few short verses something … Continue reading The Temple

Finding Wisdom

I.             Introduction An old friend once told me a story that every married man understands. His wife tried on a new dress and asked, “Does this dress make me look fat?” He answered with complete honesty. It was true - and it was also unwise. Later he said something I have never forgotten: truth and … Continue reading Finding Wisdom

Confession, Reconciliation, Celebration

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

God Protects Us

             I.      Introduction We all arrived safely at the office today. Raise your hand if you’re not here. We don’t always stop to think about it, but even something as ordinary as getting to work safely is evidence of God’s care. Scripture reminds us that our steps are ordered by the Lord, and His protection … Continue reading God Protects Us

Giving Thanks at Thanksgiving

  I.      Introduction The air is filled with the warm aromas of a hearty feast, families gather around tables laden with dishes like roast turkey, sweet potatoes, and green bean casserole. Expressions of gratitude echo through the air during this festive season, as traditions like cranberry sauce and dressing bring family and friends together.  Beyond … Continue reading Giving Thanks at Thanksgiving

Blessings for Those Who Fear the Lord

The content reflects on Psalm 128, emphasizing that true success is found in reverence for the Lord, rather than societal measures like wealth or titles. It illustrates how blessings extend from individual faith to family and community, advocating for a life focused on God's guidance. Happiness arises through obedience and faithful living.

Forgiveness

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.

Our Creator

             I.      In the Beginning In the Beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.  And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.  And God saw the light was good.  God separated the light from the darkness, and there was evening, and there was morning, and there was the first day. And … Continue reading Our Creator

Does God Exist?

             I.      Introduction "God is Dead."  -Nietzsche, 1882. "Nietzsche is Dead."  -God, eternal. We're working through various Psalms for a few weeks, and this week we'll explore how God reveals Himself to us.  In other words, How do I know God exists, and how does that affect me?  Does God Exist? In 2009, journalist John … Continue reading Does God Exist?

Enduring Trials

Enduring Trials for the Glory of Christ How Suffering Purifies, Strengthens, and Prepares Us for Eternal Glory I. Introduction In 1 Peter 4:12–19, Peter speaks tenderly but urgently to Christians facing trials. Last week in 1 Peter 4:7-11, Peter had called believers to stay focused on prayer, love, hospitality, and service. Now, he turns directly … Continue reading Enduring Trials

Pray, Love, Serve

In 1 Peter 4:7-11, Peter emphasizes living purposefully as believers, urging spiritual alertness, deep love, and faithful service in light of Christ's imminent return. He encourages prayerful living, selfless love, and the responsible use of spiritual gifts to glorify God, highlighting the importance of community and unity amidst challenges.

Submission and Suffering

In 1 Peter 2:18-25, Peter instructs believers to submit to their masters, emphasizing respectful conduct even in harsh situations. He advocates for enduring unjust suffering as a commendable act of faith, mirroring Christ’s example. Ultimately, such trials lead to spiritual strength and divine recognition, reaffirming God's purpose in believers' lives.

In the World, Not Of the World

Christians are temporary residents in this world, called to live righteously and submit to authorities as a reflection of their faith. It encourages believers to appreciate life’s beauty while remembering their eternal destination, acting as ambassadors of Christ through loving behavior, and adhering to God’s will above all.

Love and Obedience

We explore Peter's teaching in 1 Peter 1:22-25 about the significance of obedience, purification, and sincere love among believers. It highlights that true love, stemming from a transformed heart, is rooted in the eternal Word of God, contrasting the fleeting nature of human life with the permanence of God's promises and the transformative power of the gospel.

Be Holy

1 Peter 1:13-16 emphasizes the call to holiness for believers, highlighting the importance of mental preparedness, sobriety, and hope in Christ’s grace. Peter encourages followers to shed past ignorance, embrace moral purity, and embody God's holiness in all aspects of life, ensuring that their conduct reflects their identity as God's children.

Imitate God: Walking in Love, Light, and Wisdom

Ephesians 5:1-21 emphasizes living in reflection of God’s character through love, light, and wisdom. Paul encourages believers to embody Christ-like love, reject immoral behaviors, and make intentional, Spirit-led choices. This transformation fosters community unity and a distinctive witness in a morally ambiguous culture, underscoring the significance of intentional Christian living.

Ephesians 2:1-10 From Death to Life

In Ephesians 2:1-10, Paul emphasizes the transformative journey of believers, highlighting humanity's past spiritual death and need for salvation. God's rich mercy and grace lead to renewed life through faith in Christ, free from boasting. Believers are created for good works as evidence of their faith and God's purposeful design.

The Last Hours: Part 3

Under pressure, Christians often struggle to openly demonstrate their faith. The denial of Jesus by Peter, driven by fear and pride, exemplifies this. However, Peter's restoration by Jesus reflects God's forgiveness and the transformative power of grace. This serves as a reminder of our need for humility and dependence on God in our journey of faith.

The Rich Young Ruler

The passage from Matthew 19:16-26 delves into the interaction between Jesus and the rich young ruler, offering insights into wealth, discipleship, and reliance on the Lord. It explores the challenges of prioritizing spiritual wealth over material abundance, emphasizing the role of divine grace in achieving true discipleship and entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven.

I Believe Too

God bless Joellen Murphy for her ministry. Joellen Murphy is putting together a campaign to counter atheist messages at Christmastime. Atheists in the nation's capitol have been campaigning to get Americans to doubt God's existence this Christmas, but one Christian woman is standing up against their efforts. Joellen Murphy had been praying for a chance … Continue reading I Believe Too

The Leader

Margaret Feingold, author of the Organic God, dropped a short note on her Facebook account today. It's an old joke - S. I. McMillen, in his book None of These Diseases, tells a story of a young woman who wanted to go to college, but her heart sank when she read the question on the … Continue reading The Leader

Christian One Liners

Don't let your worries get the best of you; remember, Moses started out as a basket case. *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* Some people are kind, polite, and sweet-spirited until you try to sit in their pews. *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* Many folks want to serve God, but only as advisors. *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* It is easier to preach ten sermons than it is … Continue reading Christian One Liners

Unfinished Todos

Along with last week's post about categorizing people, another anomoly with carrying a PDA is that whatever goes on your todo list stays on your todo list. Forever. Unlike an unreliable brain that has that convenient ability to forget, a PDA never forgets. (I was going to make an analogy between a PDA and an … Continue reading Unfinished Todos

Muse

Muse. I need a good muse. I spent so much traveling time at the end of last year, I just couldn't really take the time to post anything. On the road it's hard enough since internet access and free time is limited. When I got back, I sort of decompressed and didn't write anything. Just … Continue reading Muse

Review: Wonderlust

http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=chasingthewin-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=1596690763&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr I'm coveting. There, I said it. I want what Vicky Kuyper has. Not the travels - I get to do that for business. Not the lifestyle, either. I want her eyes, the way she can look at the world and see how God is working in her, around her, through her. Wonderlust is Vicky's … Continue reading Review: Wonderlust

Jesus and Money

Jesus and Money Recently in a comment, I was challenged regarding posting my stock selections; the concern from Chris was that such financial considerations were incongruous with the teachings of Jesus. Chris Says: September 18th, 2007 at 11:03 am I find it somewhat ironic and mildly amusing that your blog contains articles of spirituality along … Continue reading Jesus and Money

I'm Here

I know posts have been sparse lately, had a lot on my plate. Broken hot water heater pipes, sheet rock replacement, a mini-vacation to New Orleans, and preparing to teach Sunday. Hey, sometimes real life beckons, but keep our eyes on eternal life. I hope I'm dealing with real life in a way that honors … Continue reading I'm Here

Ave Maria

It's good to see somebody putting their money and their life where their faith is. I learned something about Dominos Pizza today: The founder, Tom Monaghan, is a faithful Catholic. He's used his fortune to found the town of Ave Maria, Florida. What makes Ave Maria so special is that it's designed for Christians. Tom's … Continue reading Ave Maria

Christian Carnival CLXXIII

The 173rd Christian Carnival is up at Pseudo-Polymath and contain this week's best Christian blogging. Some highlihts - Are you treating the bible like Cinderella? Love covers a multitude of sins. God can do what He says He can do.

Christian Carnival CLXXII

The 172nd Christian Carnival is posted at Crossroads. Click on over for this week's best Christian blogging. Some highlights - God Can Handle the Questions Chinese Christian Persecution I have a Problem with Temptation.

Monday Morning

My brain is still stuffed with sand. I feel awake early in the morning, but I know I'm not. It becomes abundantly clear to me later if I reread my early morning posts. i'm repetitive, I make spelling misakes, I leave out entire words. An hour later, I'll think, "man, there's something not quite right … Continue reading Monday Morning

Christian Carnival CLXX

Christian Carnival CLXX (170) is up at Brain Cramps for God. If you're interested in the behind-the-scenes look of Christian Carnival, or you have a Christian Blog and would like to participate, this week's Carnival has some information interspersed among the posts.

The Organic God

Oh my goodness what a fabulous book that was. It's not a deeply theological book, it doesn't get into controversial issues, it simply describes the joy of loving God. The author, Margaret Feinberg, doesn't delve into religious issues that can separate Christians today. Instead, she challenges us to strip away our pre-conceived notions of who … Continue reading The Organic God