Get out a pen and paper, or open up a note-taking app. What are the first five adjectives that come to mind if you were trying to answer the question: “What are the five top adjectives that should describe a church family?” This week we are studying 1 Peter 3:8-12 where Peter teaches how aContinue reading “The Top 5 adjectives that should describe a church family (do you know them?)”
Tag Archives: love
If you want to be a loving church family, seize the 167!
Yesterday I said that Peter, in 1st Peter 1:21-25, says that a church family must love one another deeply from the heart. What is this love Peter is talking about? We all know what love is, right? It’s obvious. Love is love! Well even though there is one English word for love, Peter uses twoContinue reading “If you want to be a loving church family, seize the 167!”
The one thing you need (to make it as a stranger in the world)
In a world of partiality and discrimination and bias, where is the one place that still considers everyone impartially? The church? Nope. Martin Luther King Jr. said years ago that Sunday morning is one of the most racially segregated places in America, and it is still true today. I read an article this week thatContinue reading “The one thing you need (to make it as a stranger in the world)”
How to love and be loved when you are facing hardship
Are you going through a hard time? How are you handling it? Some of you have seen The Passion of the Christ which vividly portrays the Roman flogging of Jesus just before they crucified him. I remember watching that when it first came out in the theater, my stomach churning, tears flowing. It isContinue reading “How to love and be loved when you are facing hardship”
How God wants to restore you
Betrayal and denial. Jesus experienced both, from two of his closest followers, in a matter of no more than one hour. That had to hurt deeply. You can read the story in Luke 22:47-62. Yesterday at Faith Church we talked about what it feels like when we have been betrayed or denied. We also talkedContinue reading “How God wants to restore you”
Was Jesus’ teaching too radical? – Luke 6:27-36
Love your enemies? Give the shirt off your back? Give to everyone who asks? Last week I introduced the next section in Jesus’ sermon in Luke 6, the section he starts off famously “Love your enemies.” Jesus really has some challenging things to say here. Because Jesus’ words are so different from the prevailing truthContinue reading “Was Jesus’ teaching too radical? – Luke 6:27-36”
Being Mystics in a Messed-up World
Last week, guest writer and teacher, Tony Blair introduced us to the idea of being Christian mystics. And it is all about LOVE! Then on Sunday he visited and taught at Faith Church, and I can say without reservation that it was a powerful morning! So many people expressed their appreciation for his interaction withContinue reading “Being Mystics in a Messed-up World”
Mystics in Love
Today we welcome a guest writer, Dr. Tony Blair, president of Evangelical Seminary. We’re looking forward to this coming Sunday, March 8th, 2015, at Faith Church as Tony will be our guest teacher. As he is also a pastor, we are quite grateful to his church Hosanna, for sharing him with us! Are you aContinue reading “Mystics in Love”
What is Love? – Our theme for Worship in the Park this Sunday!
What is love? Do you know for certain? There is a popular song that asks “What is love?” and then responds with “Baby, don’t hurt me.” Though we don’t think of love as painful, another popular song echoes what many people have found to be true: “Love hurts.” You might have experienced that in yourContinue reading “What is Love? – Our theme for Worship in the Park this Sunday!”
Multiple worship services ARE of the devil!
Yes, having multiple worship services are of the devil…if we let them be. Let me explain. It is very interesting how we go through life and end up changing our minds about things. For example, how did I go from this to this? If you don’t want to fully read those two blog posts, here’sContinue reading “Multiple worship services ARE of the devil!”
Engaging Scripture 