Trust & Obey, Week 3: Luke 6, Part 2 The picture above shows the text of two of Jesus’ Beatitudes. From memory, can you say any of the others? As the picture points out, you can find the text of the Beatitudes in Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, which is Matthew chapters 5–7. The BeatitudesContinue reading “A new kind of Beatitude”
Tag Archives: gratitude
Setting the scene for Jesus’ surprising take on blessings
Trust & Obey, Week 3: Luke 6, Part 1 You may have heard of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. That famous passage is found in Matthew 5–7. But have you ever heard of Jesus’ Sermon on the Plain? His Sermon on the Plain has many similar, or even the same, teachings as those found inContinue reading “Setting the scene for Jesus’ surprising take on blessings”
Are we misunderstanding blessing?
Trust & Obey, Week 3: Luke 6, Preview Around the tables at your Thanksgiving gatherings this coming week, will you take time to share with your family and friends what you are thankful for? One of the worship songs we recently sang at Faith Church is perfect for Thanksgiving, “Count Your Blessings.” There is somethingContinue reading “Are we misunderstanding blessing?”
The transforming power of gratitude – 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18, 25, Part 5
Editor’s Note: This week I welcome guest blogger, Debbie Marks. Debbie has a degree in social work, served for 30+ in pastoral ministry alongside her husband, is an educator, leads Bible studies, and has been a retreat speaker. We all hit life’s unexpected potholes. The issue, then, is how we will respond to these inevitableContinue reading “The transforming power of gratitude – 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18, 25, Part 5”
The Apostle Paul’s “Eat Pray Love”-like formula – 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18, 25, Part 1
Editor’s Note: This week I welcome guest blogger, Debbie Marks. Debbie has a degree in social work, served for 30+ in pastoral ministry alongside her husband, is an educator, leads Bible studies, and has been a retreat speaker. I’m excited for her teaching this week. In 2006 Elizabeth Gilbert wrote a biographical memoir called EatContinue reading “The Apostle Paul’s “Eat Pray Love”-like formula – 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18, 25, Part 1″
The intersection of generosity and gratitude – 2 Samuel 22, Preview
It’s Thanksgiving Week! As I write this, yesterday was Lancaster’s annual Extra Give, a one-day explosion of generosity for over 400 non-profit organizations in our county. I love that the Extra Give is always so close to Thanksgiving, because it seems to me that the two days go hand in hand. When we give, weContinue reading “The intersection of generosity and gratitude – 2 Samuel 22, Preview”
Be thankful for your messy church family – Caring for one another, Part 2
Are there awkward people in your church family? Perhaps people who talk your ear off, over-sharing, while you’re struggling to find a way to get out of the conversation in which they have done 95% of the talking, and it’s going on 30 minutes with no end in sight. Perhaps there are the people who have RBFContinue reading “Be thankful for your messy church family – Caring for one another, Part 2”
Growing patience through thankfulness – Fruit of the Spirit: Patience, Part 4
In Colossians 1:11 Paul writes a prayer that includes an important teaching about how to become more patient. Paul prayed that the people would be “strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father.” Now that’s interesting. Thankfulness andContinue reading “Growing patience through thankfulness – Fruit of the Spirit: Patience, Part 4”
The transforming power of gratitude – Colossians 4:2-6, Part 3
Do you ever feel like, as a parent, you are running your own private family Uber? The kids call or text, and you pick them up from practice. You drive them to events, to their friends’ houses, and all over. Or did you ever get a call like this: “Dad, practice finished early, so canContinue reading “The transforming power of gratitude – Colossians 4:2-6, Part 3”
Four practical ways to count your blessings – Acts 12, Part 4
In this series of posts on Acts 12, we have been trying answer the question: “How How do we count our blessings the right way?” I want to suggest some practical ideas that I believe could help you. First, we have to say the right words, flowing from a humble, grateful heart. Not “I didContinue reading “Four practical ways to count your blessings – Acts 12, Part 4”
Engaging Scripture 