Saul has just made a decision to turn his life around 180 degrees. He met Jesus, and everything would now change. He used to persecute Christians, and now he was preaching about Jesus. But that all happened far away from the church’s home base in Jerusalem. No surprise, then, what we read in Acts 9, verse 26, “When [Saul]Continue reading “How to have hope over fear – Encourage one another, Part 3”
Tag Archives: church family
Introducing a new blog series: Relationships in the church
This past fall, in front of the whole class, I had to disagree with one of my students. I was teaching Early Church, covering the New Testament books of Acts through Revelation. In that class session, a student remarked at how unified the early church was. It was early in the semester, so this studentContinue reading “Introducing a new blog series: Relationships in the church”
Cliques in the church and loving difficult people – John 13:18-38, Part 5
Over the years, people have said there are cliques in the church, and they don’t believe there shouldn’t be cliques in the church. A clique is a small group of people who like to be together and can be adverse to others joining them. What do you think? Are cliques antithetical to Christianity? In theContinue reading “Cliques in the church and loving difficult people – John 13:18-38, Part 5”
Why dying to self and rising again are the way to have healthy… – Relationships: In the Church, Part 4
We continue the story of Jesus to see how his birth, life, death and resurrection is instructive for church family relationships. We celebrate Jesus coming in the flesh at Christmas. We must also consider Good Friday, as Paul reminds us in Philippians 2 that God, who was willing to take on human flesh, also tookContinue reading “Why dying to self and rising again are the way to have healthy… – Relationships: In the Church, Part 4”
The surprising beginning of the first church family – Relationships: In a church, Part 1
Calling the people in a local church congregation a “family” is pretty normal in Christian circles. In fact one of the most common ways that the New Testament writers refer to the people in a church congregation is by using the terms “brothers” and “sisters”. We are siblings in Christ. I wonder if that soundsContinue reading “The surprising beginning of the first church family – Relationships: In a church, Part 1”
Can the people in a local church be a family? – Relationships: In the Church, Preview
Just about all our Faith Church emails start with that same line “Hi Family of Faith Church.” Are we really a family? Next week on the blog, we continue our five week topical series about relationships, next studying what God’s word has to say about the people who make up a local church. There areContinue reading “Can the people in a local church be a family? – Relationships: In the Church, Preview”
Relationships: Series Preview
Who are your closest relationships? Think about the top five to ten people who are your best friends. When I mention the category “friends,” that list could also include family members. Sometimes we have the distinct pleasure of being friends with our family. Michelle and I have thoroughly enjoyed the transition from being parents ofContinue reading “Relationships: Series Preview”
The Crown and how to have love that endures – Honest Advent Week 2, Part 5
My wife, Michelle, and I recently watched season 4 of The Crown on Netflix, a show about the current monarchy in England. The more I watch that show, the more I think it should be called “The Marriage.” Most of the central story lines are deeply affected by the various marriages of the characters. NotContinue reading “The Crown and how to have love that endures – Honest Advent Week 2, Part 5”
How a unique surgery helped me know what to do after voting – Current Events 2020 Q4, Part 2
An acquaintance of Michelle and mine recently had a terrible accident at his work. He is a contractor and was operating a cement mixer, got his hands caught in there, and the machine did serious damage to both hands. One hand was far worse than the other, and for that hand surgeons are attempting aContinue reading “How a unique surgery helped me know what to do after voting – Current Events 2020 Q4, Part 2”
Is it really that important to be committed to a local church? – Ecclesiastes 5:1-7, Part 4
What commitments do you have to your church family? Do you serve on a committee? Do you help with a ministry? Are you a member of a church? Participating in a small group? How are you doing keeping your commitments? How do you view those responsibilities? Would you say that they are vows you needContinue reading “Is it really that important to be committed to a local church? – Ecclesiastes 5:1-7, Part 4”
Engaging Scripture 