I traveled with my wife Michelle to Cambodia in 2016. We visited the town where an organization named Agape is located. Agape rescues formerly trafficked women, helps them find healing, introduces them to Jesus, and gives them job training in a steady, safe employment environment. Michelle’s company employed the women to make a variety ofContinue reading “We need flourishing-producing togetherness for…Creating Culture, Part 5”
Tag Archives: Discipleship
We are witnesses to the power of Jesus – John 11:1-45, Part 5
Now the moment has come. We’ve been studying John 11 this week, and we’ve observed Jesus talking with his disciples and his friends, Mary and Martha, about their brother Lazarus’ sickness and death. Jesus made the trip to Judea to the town of Bethany to visit that sisters, as Lazarus lay in a grave forContinue reading “We are witnesses to the power of Jesus – John 11:1-45, Part 5”
What we can learn from Jesus weeping – John 11:1-45, Part 4
Martha’s brother, Lazarus, still dead. Martha believes Jesus can do something about it because he is the promised Messiah, the bringer of life. But instead of pleading with Jesus, Martha now goes to find her sister, Mary. In John 11, verses 28-37, we read about the result of the sisters’ conversation. “And after she hadContinue reading “What we can learn from Jesus weeping – John 11:1-45, Part 4”
How to experience the life that is truly life – John 11:1-45, Part 3
Jesus regularly said very important things. What he says in John 11:25-27 is of utmost importance, “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?’ ‘Yes, Lord,’ sheContinue reading “How to experience the life that is truly life – John 11:1-45, Part 3”
The kind of belief God really wants – John 11:1-45, Part 2
Jesus has received an urgent message from some of his closest friends, Mary and Martha. Their brother Lazarus, also one of Jesus’ best friends, is sick. Very sick. Deathly sick. What does Jesus do in response? He waits…two more days. He doesn’t immediately gather up his disciples and head out on the road. He waits. Continue reading “The kind of belief God really wants – John 11:1-45, Part 2”
The reason God needs more glory – John 11:1-45, Part 1
This past week I was jet-lagging, having come home from a month teaching in India. Jet-lag feels so weird. You’re hungry and sleepy at all the wrong times. On my first day back, my family and I ate dinner at a normal time of about 6pm, and while it tasted great, my stomach felt likeContinue reading “The reason God needs more glory – John 11:1-45, Part 1”
How Jesus sets us free to live a flourishing life – John 7:53-8:11, Part 4
In the temple courts, Jesus is standing alone with a woman who had been caught in adultery. With her accusers now gone, Jesus responds to the woman, in John chapter 8, verses 10-11: “Jesus straightened up and asked her, ‘Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?’ ‘No one, sir,’ she said. ‘Then neitherContinue reading “How Jesus sets us free to live a flourishing life – John 7:53-8:11, Part 4”
The fallacy of the slippery slope argument in helping us become more like Jesus – John 7:53-8:11, Part 3
Did you know that Jesus once stayed an execution? He actually decided to not do what the Mosaic Law said to do. The religious leaders brought a woman caught in the act of adultery to Jesus, asking him, “The Mosaic Law says this sinful woman should receive the death penalty. What do you say, Jesus?”Continue reading “The fallacy of the slippery slope argument in helping us become more like Jesus – John 7:53-8:11, Part 3”
How Jesus got into a dangerous no-win situation – John 7:53-8:11, Part 2
When I was dating my wife, one day her parents had us over for dinner. Around the table, her father asked me, “So is Michelle wearing on you yet?” Have you ever felt trapped in life? Had people accuse you of something, and there seems to be no good answer? That’s how I felt inContinue reading “How Jesus got into a dangerous no-win situation – John 7:53-8:11, Part 2”
Why I’m studying a disputed text from the life of Jesus – John 7:53-8:11, Part 1
This week on the blog, we are talking about a disputed story in the life of Jesus. Disputed? What does that mean? Open a Bible to John 7, and look between verse 52 and verse 53. There’s something important written there we need to talk about. If you are reading from the New International Version,Continue reading “Why I’m studying a disputed text from the life of Jesus – John 7:53-8:11, Part 1”
Engaging Scripture 