Editor’s Note: This week we welcome David Hundert as guest blogger! The television show, Ted Lasso, is about an American football coach attempting to coach an English soccer team. Lasso often brings his unique style to the locker room, and in one episode it seems he borrowed from a famous Allen Iverson press conference thatContinue reading “One of the most repeated words in the New Testament – Love One Another, Part 1”
Tag Archives: love
When a heart grows cold – Ezekiel 35-36, Part 1
Many years ago, my wife Michelle and I sat in the living room of a young couple listening, somewhat shocked, as only one year after having done their pre-marital counseling and wedding ceremony, one of them said to the other, “I don’t feel love for you anymore.” The other spouse burst into tears. How isContinue reading “When a heart grows cold – Ezekiel 35-36, Part 1”
What happens when we cross the line with God – Ezekiel 33:21-33, Part 3
Can you ever sin too much? Can you ever rebel against God too far? As we continue our study of Ezekiel 33, we learned in the previous post that God opened Ezekiel’s mouth, after seven years of silence, and now Ezekiel can speak freely. In verse 23, just as soon as Ezekiel can say whateverContinue reading “What happens when we cross the line with God – Ezekiel 33:21-33, Part 3”
A basic, revolutionary truth: God loves you – 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17, Part 1
One of our sister churches every Christmas season has a Blue Christmas service. During the holidays, while the world is filled with joy, some of us can really struggle. We miss loved ones who passed on, some of whom died in the last 12 months, and this is our first Christmas without them. Some ofContinue reading “A basic, revolutionary truth: God loves you – 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17, Part 1”
Sex and death: Is God’s way best? – Ezekiel 24, Part 5
This week in Ezekiel chapter 24, we’ve learned at least two important things about God’s heart. First, his desire for holiness, and in particular, how that relates to human sexuality. Second, his desire for us to trust him when it seems he has allowed something terribly unfair in our lives, in particular the death ofContinue reading “Sex and death: Is God’s way best? – Ezekiel 24, Part 5”
How God can be both loving and just at the same time – Ezekiel 18, Part 4
Editor’s Note: I’m thankful to guest blogger Brandon Hershey for this week’s study of Ezekiel 18! How can God be both loving and just at the same time? Doesn’t it seem that his love will cancel out his justice, or that his justice will cancel out his love? As we continue studying Ezekiel 18, weContinue reading “How God can be both loving and just at the same time – Ezekiel 18, Part 4”
A Purple Church does not have class or gender preferences – Current Events Q3 2021, Part 3
Churches should be purple! What is a purple church? In the previous post, we learned that a purple church is not colorblind. We have been studying the purple church, as Paul describes it in Galatians 3:26-28. The next phrase Paul uses to describe the purple church is that it is neither slave nor free. SlaveryContinue reading “A Purple Church does not have class or gender preferences – Current Events Q3 2021, Part 3”
Is God a frustrated lover? – Ezekiel 7, Part 2
Have you ever experienced the frustration of loving someone who isn’t loving you back? It is a common human relational reality. Spouses that are scorned or betrayed. Kids neglecting their parents, and parents neglecting their kids. Friends that don’t care when you are struggling. Have you ever considered that God might feel like that? InContinue reading “Is God a frustrated lover? – Ezekiel 7, Part 2”
4 principles to help us put on the clothing of peaceful love – Colossians 3:12-17, Part 5
As we conclude our study through Colossians 3:12-17, Paul has a very specific application for us, as we love one another. Look at verse 15: let peace rule. We put on the clothing of peace. We are members of one body, and we are called to peace. Then he mentions another piece of clothing: thankfulness. Continue reading “4 principles to help us put on the clothing of peaceful love – Colossians 3:12-17, Part 5”
Clothe yourselves with forgiveness and love – Colossians 3:12-17, Part 4
A pastoral colleague of mine a few years ago felt convicted that his congregation needed to repent for how the church handled a difficult situation in their church family. The event took place at the beginning of the pastor’s tenure, and in fact was already ongoing before he was hired. When the difficult event actuallyContinue reading “Clothe yourselves with forgiveness and love – Colossians 3:12-17, Part 4”
Engaging Scripture 