I have been inside a courtroom for actual proceedings five times in my life. The first time was my fault, and it was scary. The second time was a school field trip, and it was a relief…it wasn’t about me this time! Those last three times? Well, they have been astoundingly beautiful. In each ofContinue reading “God wants to adopt you”
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The one word that will help you step off the hamster wheel of not feeling good enough
Have you ever felt like you are not good enough? Maybe you’ve wondered if God is disappointed with you? Are you tired of your failures? Do you feel like you are on a hamster wheel, struggling to make progress in life, stop a bad habit, become more whole and healthy, be more consistent, stop aContinue reading “The one word that will help you step off the hamster wheel of not feeling good enough”
How the Winnebago can teach us something important about grace
Yesterday I introduced the new sermon series I’m giving at Faith Church this October. We’re pausing the Deuteronomy series in order to make way for the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation. Each week this month we’ll be looking at one of the Five Solas of the Reformation. This week we start with Sola Gratia,Continue reading “How the Winnebago can teach us something important about grace”
A 1517-era “social media post” that lit the world on fire
Imagine this: what if you could write a post on Facebook that would change the world? Would you do it? What if you knew ahead of time that your one little Facebook post would start wars, that people would get killed, and that you yourself would become a fugitive on the run, afraid for yourContinue reading “A 1517-era “social media post” that lit the world on fire”
What does idolatry look like in America? (or Why God is jealous and that is a good thing)
Here in America we have a popular television show called American Idol. It went off the air, but it is coming back! Did you have any favorite American Idols? Yesterday I mentioned that we don’t have idols in America like some other countries where Buddhism or Hinduism is prominent. But do we have other kindsContinue reading “What does idolatry look like in America? (or Why God is jealous and that is a good thing)”
Dealing with the harsh reality of God’s invisibility
Do you ever wish God would show himself? Ever feel jealous of the disciples who got to walk and talk with Jesus for three whole years? I do. I’m not always certain that God’s idea to be invisible was a good one. Why not just manifest yourself and prove to everyone you’re alive and well? Continue reading “Dealing with the harsh reality of God’s invisibility”
How parents and grandparents can bring revival to our land
There’s a scary reality we need to bring up. Though we are studying Deuteronomy, jump ahead to Judges 2:10, which takes place maybe 40-50 years after Deuteronomy. By this time Joshua has taken over for Moses as leader of Israel, guiding Israel as they take possession of the Promised Land and settle down. Then JoshuaContinue reading “How parents and grandparents can bring revival to our land”
God is odd
If you were a person living in the Ancient Near East observing the people of Israel on their strange journey out of slavery in Egypt to settlement in Canaan, you might think “this is an odd people, and their God is odd too.” In fact, as we continue studying Deuteronomy chapter 4, Moses, in verse 6,Continue reading “God is odd”
Was God being manipulative when he said, “If you obey me, you will live”?
Is God being manipulative when he says, “If you obey me, you will live”? Is he being threatening? Why in the world would God say that? If you remove the Christian filter from your mind, you can read God as sounding an awful lot like an abusive boyfriend. As we continue our study through Deuteronomy,Continue reading “Was God being manipulative when he said, “If you obey me, you will live”?”
Will your life’s work be a waste? (3 Lessons from Moses to make sure it won’t)
Are you investing in people to take over for you? Or will your efforts stop with you? It might be a volunteer position in your church. It might be a job at work. It might be a leadership role in your family or on your sports team. You’ve served and worked and given much ofContinue reading “Will your life’s work be a waste? (3 Lessons from Moses to make sure it won’t)”
Engaging Scripture 