BLOGS
Disaster Relief Ministry: A Cold Cup of Water in Jesus’ Name
Disaster Relief becomes one of the most impactful ways to illustrate Christ’s love to entire communities at a time. As Christians, our hope is in Christ and that hope compels us to care for our neighbors in practical and tangible ways: rebuilding damaged homes, removing fallen trees from people’s property, feeding those without a kitchen, clearing roads, or ultimately just being with those who are grieving. And when people ask what could compel us to take such action as volunteers, there opens an opportunity to tell them about where our hope is found: In Jesus.
Prone to Wander: the Story of Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing
Knowing the story of an artist often brings more depth to their art. Robert Robinson, the writer of “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing”, a minister for many decades, had a period of wandering, and it was returning to his own poetry that reminded him of God’s mercy.
Training for the Prize
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.” 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Don’t Be a Discipleship Cul-De-Sac
We often think the things were learn as disciples of Jesus can apply just to us. What instead of being a cul-de-sac for growth we took the things we are learning from Christ and taught them to the next generation of believers?
In Our Weakness
We often view weaknesses as a bad thing, but Paul rejoices and boasts in his because God’s power is made perfect in weakness. How do we rejoice in in our weaknesses and trust that His grace is sufficient?
Lift Up Your Eyes
In an age of constant connectivity, we've never felt more isolated—glued to screens on trains, planes, and in our own homes, we're surrounded by people yet strangely alone. How might we lift up our eyes from the glow of our phones and rediscover the people—and the spiritual needs—right in front of us?
This Is Your Sign
If you’re reading this, chances are that there is a situation you’re currently trying to discern. Should I take the job? Move strategically? Buy this house? Step into this ministry role? Whether you have something in mind right now or not, chances are you will soon. Everyday we are having to make decisions and discern where the Lord is wanting us to go and what He is wanting us to do. Yet we often are too intimidated to step forward. What should we do then?
Rediscovering the Lost Art of Lament
How does God want us to deal with the great difficulties of life?
Does he want us to ignore them, to get over them, to power through them, or to be crushed by them?
No.
He wants us to lament over them. That is the great lesson of a little-read passage in the Old Testament prophet, Micah. Following Micah, we will see that God actually invites his people to lament over them. He wants us to honestly assess what we’re seeing, and also to pour out our great sorrow to him at what we see.
How to Guard Spiritual Fervency in Life’s Busiest Seasons?
How might we regain a sense of spiritual enthusiasm and fervor? Of course, we are to explore all means of grace at our disposal. There is no substitute for Bible reading and prayer. But surprisingly, the answer might be less private and more communal than you expect. Could it be that spiritual fervor is not only fueled by private devotion, but also by shared life with God’s people? I’d like to offer four resolutions that, if you pursue them, will play a significant role in increasing your spiritual vitality.
Dangerous Prayers
We serve an infinite and eternal God, creator of the universe, who has revealed to us through scripture how he is capable of calming storms, creating woman from a rib, turning a river to blood, turning water into wine, and resurrecting from the dead. So do our prayer lives reflect what we know to be true about the infinite power of God, or are we simply asking that infinite power to bless our burgers and fries?
Be Intellectually and Spiritually Curious
We worship a God whose greatness is unsearchable. In a world surrounded by answers and opinions at every corner, how do we maintain an intellectual and spiritual curiosity in our faith?
The Grace of God Abounds
What does Leviticus teach us about sin? How does Jesus truly cleanse us? Where our sin is pervasive, His grace abounds all the more.