Over my years of pastoral ministry, when people experience sickness, lose a job or mourn the passing of a loved one, they have often asked the question, “Why did God allow that to happen?” In those painful situations, it’s quite natural to wonder what role God might have behind the scenes. Some go so farContinue reading “God’s message to us when life seems out of control – Jeremiah 46 & 47”
Tag Archives: hope
When all seems lost, we can still choose hope – John 13:17-38, Part 3
Jesus has just shocked his disciples with the news that one of them will betray him. Understandably, they want to know which of them could do such a thing. That leads a deeply dark moment in this story. Look at verses 26-30, “Jesus answered, ‘It is the one to whom I will give this pieceContinue reading “When all seems lost, we can still choose hope – John 13:17-38, Part 3”
Are people ever too far gone? – John 13:18-38, Preview
Have you felt as though some people are just too far gone, as if there is no hope for them? Maybe it is a relative who has made a series of poor choices. Maybe it is a friend who has struggled for years. Maybe you wonder about yourself. It could be the person who isContinue reading “Are people ever too far gone? – John 13:18-38, Preview”
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”
Dealing with that difficult family member – John 7:1-52, Part 1
What does your Jesus box look like? You all have one. In fact, it is something that you created. It has a unique shape and size, based on what you think Jesus is like. Take a moment and think about it. What do you think Jesus is like? Is your perception of Jesus correct? AsContinue reading “Dealing with that difficult family member – John 7:1-52, Part 1”
The right response to miracles – John 4:43-5:15, Part 2
It’s early in his ministry years, and after having been away from home for awhile, Jesus is heading home. Will he, like he mentioned in John 4, verse 44, be treated with contempt? Or will he receive a hero’s welcome? John writes this in John 4, verses 45-47: “When he arrived in Galilee, the GalileansContinue reading “The right response to miracles – John 4:43-5:15, Part 2”
How Jesus fulfills a prophecy about being light in the darkness – Christmas 2022, Part 4
One of the guys who wrote the story of his friend Jesus, as I said in an earlier post this week, was Matthew. Matthew, like John, was one of the 12 disciples who followed Jesus around for three years, learning from Jesus how to shine light in the darkness of the world. Matthew tells usContinue reading “How Jesus fulfills a prophecy about being light in the darkness – Christmas 2022, Part 4”
Hope for those in darkness – Christmas 2022, Part 3
Where do we find light in this dark world? Where do we find hope? Sometime people seek answers in harmful ways and places. They seek answers by indulging in the pleasures of life, or in addictive substances. Could be in social media, pornography, or television. All kinds of entertainment. We try to bring light intoContinue reading “Hope for those in darkness – Christmas 2022, Part 3”
The important connection between building highways and depression – Advent 2022, Week 4, Part 2
Editor’s Note: This post is written by guest blogger, David Hundert. David is a current Master of Divinity student at Evangelical Seminary. As I mentioned in the previous post, the meaning of Advent is connected to an ancient phrase from the Hebrew prophet Isaiah: “Prepare the way for the Lord…” What was Isaiah talking about,Continue reading “The important connection between building highways and depression – Advent 2022, Week 4, Part 2”
Hope leads us to boldness – Advent 2022, Week 1, Part 5
Editor’s Note: This week I welcome guest blogger, Daymarr Jackson. In addition to his full-time day job, Daymarr is Faith Church’s youth leader, and a chaplain candidate in the PA Army National Guard. He is studying for his Master of Divinity at Evangelical Seminary (Kairos). He and his wife, Danielys, have two kids. If hopeContinue reading “Hope leads us to boldness – Advent 2022, Week 1, Part 5”
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