More than a Post-It Note, sticking with someone, through thick and thin is admirable. What does it take? Some of us are good at sticking with people. Some of us know who we should stick with, and who we should not. Maybe a few of you are the “sticky” type, and people stick to you! Either way, are you in a group that is “stuck together”? What does it take?
Read MoreHow do we “proclaim” that we are one with Jesus? We are what we eat. We identify ourselves by that which we take into ourselves. Yes, the language is shocking. Not because it strikes of cannibalism, but because the God that is above and beyond all, is inviting us to have oneness, to have communion, with Him.
Read MoreToday we read that Jesus’ hearers, you know the ones that got in boats and tracked him down to the other side of a lake, are grumbling. Why? Because he says he is their source of security, of eternal food—He is the Bread of Life. And then he presses in. He is offering more than security. He is offering them their destiny.
Read MoreBread of life part 1: When I don’t like something, even if I have never tasted it, my first reaction is to reject it. Many a parent has told their child that what they were eating was chicken, when it was anything but. Some ideas can be especially difficult to swallow, too... the mere suggestion of them can be like an unwelcome odor from an unusual food. Especially if we were expecting something else.
Read MoreIf you could be king/queen for a day, what would you do? Does a list come quickly to your mind? After all, wouldn’t the world be better if you were in charge? I know that is a bit sarcastic, but honesty compels me to admit: I have often become frustrated because I was not in charge! Today we read about Jesus being in complete control.
Read MoreEver driven a manual transmission? Ever sat as a passenger in a race car? (Ever wanted to?) The driver shifts gears, and you know, you just know, things are serious. You feel the power of car. In the section of Scripture we read today, Jesus shifts gears. He's talking to the religious of his day -- the people who presume to speak for God -- and he is calling them out.
Read MoreWhy do I love pondering science? Because science and faith aren't enemies. And thinking scientifically often leads me to wonder about all sorts of non-scientific things, like my purpose, the reason for me being here, love, bravery, and more. On Wednesday 1/31, a Blue moon, Super moon, and Lunar Eclipse will all happen at once. From Harvest Moons, to full moons, to blood moons, to blue moons... we're fascinated by this distant object, aren't we? But do you ever actually think about the moon itself?
Read MoreDistractions -- external and internal -- can stall, paralyze, or even misdirect our efforts. When we read scripture, there are so many things we could notice. I just don’t want us to get distracted. So today, I ask: what do you “see” in John 5:1-18? And what's is the point?
Read MoreReputations are powerful. We certainly need to earn ours. But our reputation precedes us. If you do not know Jesus, if you only know a little about him... if his “reputation is preceding him," can you pause for a moment and consider a couple things?
Read MoreIn our world, we seem to naturally divide. By race, by where we live... even in the same city, we divide by sports teams. Add geography, throw in a railroad track, and well, you know what happens. Today, Jesus goes to what some Jews would say is the wrong side of the tracks.
Read MoreDid you see the pictures of frozen Niagara Falls that were everywhere a couple of weeks ago? Awe-inspiring. When I think about this earth, this big ball we live on, there are so many amazing parts of our lives. Most of them I take for granted. I live day-in and day-out, trundling along, taking some of the most incredible natural aspects of this world, for granted. Consider water.
Read MoreStaying grounded can be hard. Grounded in all that God has blessed me with, my marriage, my family, my career – you name it. The world always seems to want to draw my attention away. And let’s be real, here: it’s easy to give into the distractions. Today, John the Baptist (JB) shows us a life that is grounded in Jesus.
Read MoreReal love chooses. Real love gives. Real love risks. Real love costs. Have you thought about how God loves you? Right now?
Read MoreFirst impressions can last a lifetime. Remember your first date? Your first job interview? Remember sweating over what to wear? How about this: what is your first impression of meeting Jesus?
Read MoreDropping everything... this does require some discernment. People drop everything when an emergency arises, or a threatening situation appears, or when the vision of the future is big enough. Without prayer and godly counsel, I could spend my life running from one ill-advised big dream to another.
Read MoreWho is the person in your life who has said to you, “I believe in you – I believe you can do it!” Do you have such a person? Sports coaches, music directors, and more, inspire us, challenging and encouraging many to excel.
Read MoreImagine being enslaved for 400 years. Then, one night, God tells you to slaughter a lamb and cook it. (Sorry, no grocery store. You want meat? You kill it).
Read MoreWhen you go away and pray, it can get personal. But in December, I said I'd do that, and then come back in the New Year and share what's on my heart. In short, 3 things: God’s jealousy for me, the weight of leadership, and my need to value my wife more. (It's getting real!)
Read MoreWe are all living our lives based on some bigger story we believe to be true. What is the biggest story *you* are a part of?
Read MoreThis isn’t some battle between two opposite but equal opponents: good/evil, light/darkness. No, all that darkness? He has overcome it. Pause and ponder all that this means!
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