How to overcome “Some people never change” – Colossians 3:1-4, Part 4

“They will never change.” Have you ever said that? Maybe you thought it? Or maybe it was declared about you. Is it true that people never change? Perhaps it has been true for some people. But for the vast majority, change is always happening in our lives, even if incrementally. As we have been studyingContinue reading “How to overcome “Some people never change” – Colossians 3:1-4, Part 4″

What my pandemic weight gain taught me about my thinking – Colossians 3:1-4, Part 3

During the Covid pandemic that reached the USA in 2020, and is still going strong now in 2021, we’ve heard talk of pandemic weight gain.  People have been sitting at home a lot more, sedentary. We don’t have a scale in our house, but I was at the doctor for a checkup in December 2020Continue reading “What my pandemic weight gain taught me about my thinking – Colossians 3:1-4, Part 3”

Why I believe Jesus’ resurrection is not only true, but matters – Easter 2021, Part 5

So is the resurrection truly true? If you want a scientific answer, with insurmountable proof, I’m sorry but I’m not able to give that.  I hope you heard in the previous post some strong evidence for the truth of Jesus’ resurrection. People who had very good reason to kill the Christian movement only had toContinue reading “Why I believe Jesus’ resurrection is not only true, but matters – Easter 2021, Part 5”

What my peach tree teaches me about resurrection – Easter 2021, Part 3

I’m writing this in early spring, when I am starting to see the beginning of buds growing on the peach tree in my yard. Maybe you have fruit trees, and you’ve seen this growth process underway. As the buds eventually flower, the tiny fruit will begin to grow. Frequently, some fruit ripens early and weContinue reading “What my peach tree teaches me about resurrection – Easter 2021, Part 3”

How to be a good friend to God- Colossians 1:24-2:5, Part 10

In the previous post, I mentioned that I had to confess and repent, “Lord Jesus, Holy Spirit in me, I am sorry I haven’t been a good friend, I’m sorry I haven’t given much effort to get to know you.”  Of course, that is not totally true, as we can get to know God inContinue reading “How to be a good friend to God- Colossians 1:24-2:5, Part 10”

The ancient mystery is revealed! – Colossians 1:24-2:5, Part 8

All week long we have been learning about a mystery, starting here! In Colossians 1, verse 27, Paul tells us that the mystery has glorious riches.  Glory refers to the concept of splendor, of remarkable appearance.  The second word, riches, refers to abundant riches.  In fact, the particular word Paul uses for “riches” often hasContinue reading “The ancient mystery is revealed! – Colossians 1:24-2:5, Part 8”

Finding grace and peace – Colossians 1:1-8, Part 3

What are so many people in the world looking for, deep down inside? They are looking for things to be right. They want their lives to feel right. They want to feel wholeness. But where do we find it? I would suggest Paul gives us a clue in the greeting he writes in his letterContinue reading “Finding grace and peace – Colossians 1:1-8, Part 3”

Calling people “holy” or “saints” – Colossians 1:1-8, Part 2

What do you think about calling a person “holy”? To many of us, calling people “holy” sounds wrong. Only God is truly holy, not people, right?  If we happen to use the word “holy” about a person, we might be describing them as, “holier than thou,” and we’re not complimenting them.  Paul, however, uses “holy”Continue reading “Calling people “holy” or “saints” – Colossians 1:1-8, Part 2″

God has you in his hands? (Is that just Christian mumbo-jumbo?) – Ecclesiastes 8:16-9:10, Part 2

What do you think about the title of this post? God has you in his hands. Christians have been saying that kind of thing for centuries. Is it true? Or is just Christian mumbo-jumbo, feel-good nonsense? As we continue our study in Ecclesiastes, the Teacher (the writer of Ecclesiastes) has some ancient wisdom for us,Continue reading “God has you in his hands? (Is that just Christian mumbo-jumbo?) – Ecclesiastes 8:16-9:10, Part 2”

How to rip off labels stuck to you – Our Identity: Citizens of God’s Kingdom, Part 5

Have you ever been a part of a sports team that wears jerseys with labels on them?  Usually a jersey has a team name, logo, and your player number. Some also include your last name and maybe a sponsor name and logo.  NASCAR driver uniforms have, perhaps, the most labels of all.   We, too, canContinue reading “How to rip off labels stuck to you – Our Identity: Citizens of God’s Kingdom, Part 5”