Confronting others concerning biblical/theological compromise is never easy or pleasant. Such encounters must be handled with sensitivity to the needs of others, directed by spiritual wisdom and the Scriptures, and guided by the Holy Spirit. Paul closed chapter two of...
Searching for Real Friendship
Some relationships may imitate friendship, but there’s no substitute for the real thing. Exploring the relationship between David and Jonathan in the Bible, we’ll identify some distinguishing features of friendship that are often overlooked and discover how to infuse...
Searching for the Right Word
Have you ever said the wrong thing at the wrong time or misunderstood what someone else was saying and experienced unfortunate results? Finding just the right word and communicating effectively with another person is one of the most frequent challenges we face. While...
The Abundant Church
Despite our romanticism about the early church, they had their fair share of problems - favoritism, theological arguments, and divisions (to name a few). Yet there remained a vision of an abundant church - full of energy, unity, and life. While the church today...
The Meal of the Movement
The church can be described as a body, a family, an army. It’s a movement of influence—one that seeks to bring glory to God and point people toward the Savior. On the night Jesus was betrayed and arrested, He initiated the movement with a meal. He chose food and drink...
The Holy Spirit in Your Life
In the Bible, we read Jesus promising to send the Holy Spirit to his disciples after He is gone. As believers in Jesus, the Holy Spirit is also with us, living inside of us, just as Jesus promised. The question is, why did Jesus send the Holy Spirit to be with us?...
A New Creation
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." 2 Corinthians 5:17 OBSERVATION The Church of Corinth had issues. Paul's writing here is to address just one of the many challenges facing...
When a Loved One is Struggling
When a Loved One is StrugglingWe are blessed to live in a time and society where conversations about mental health are not only accepted but supported. The open conversations in our culture surrounding mental health have created an environment in society where people...
What We Can Learn From Loneliness
What We Can Learn From Loneliness hen I feel lonely, I usually want that feeling to go away as quickly as possible. I might get coffee with a friend, binge watch Parks & Rec on Netflix, or do anything else that will distract me from the...
For God So Loved
"Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another." 1 John 4:11OBSERVATION "Since God so loved us, we also ought to love..". We love because God loved first. He loved his creation so much that He sent His one and only son to die for it. To die...
Setting Healthy Boundaries
Setting Healthy Boundaries y mother is mentally ill. (Full disclosure: I was in my twenties before I was able to say this sentence aloud). She suffers from a personality disorder that cannot be treated medically and that makes it near...
Shake The Dust Off
"As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give... If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home...
Coping in Crisis: Five Ways to Maintain Mental Health
Coping in Crisis: Five Ways to Maintain Mental Healtho one wants to have mental health issues, but the truth is that life can be painful and difficult at times. As humans, we can and do break. For the overwhelming majority of us, mental health...
Growing Righteous Relationships
"My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires." James 1:19-20 OBSERVATION Three major tips by James; Listen fast,...
New Creation
It’s easy for us to become consumed with what happens to us and around us. We spend so much time and energy on managing our circumstances that we begin to think those circumstances define us. After thinking this way for a while, we eventually believe that those old...
New Command
Whenever we head into a new normal, there is usually an old normal we have to contend with first. We transition into a new normal when an old normal no longer works or the new normal is significantly better. This week, we'll discuss a new command Jesus gives his...
Our Finest Hour
It’s possible to experience “our finest hour” in the most challenging of situations. That’s true, in part, because God uses hardships and difficulties to reveal what’s inside of us. Then, we can change and become better with His help. It’s ambitious to envision our...
In Sickness and in Health
It’s rare to find a really great marriage. Maybe that’s because it doesn’t take long for marriage to be put to the test by the harsh realities of life. In marriage, we’re together in sickness and in health. God designed marriage as a gift. And it’s easy to lose sight...
Nothing Like Family
As the family goes, so goes the culture. The idea of family is deeply rooted in our lives. We were born for family; it’s in our blood. And the idea of family is rooted in the heart of God. It’s more than an illustration. Family is a reality for anyone related to God....
Family Life Weekend
ASL InterpretationHow do we build for the future when the future seems so uncertain? This week, we'll turn to Acts 2 to see how the early church began as a model for how we can continue to build the future of the Church together. As we follow their lead, we not only...
March 29 Experience
All of Us Need ForgivenessSometimes we don’t FEEL like forgiving someone. Maybe we think it isn’t fair; we don’t feel like they DESERVE forgiveness. But the truth is, all of us have messed up. All of us need forgiveness. God wants us to experience the joy of being...