Advent 2025, Week 1: Psalm 112, Part 3 Two of the primary hopes parents long for is (1) that their children do well, and (2) that they have enough money to provide for their kids. Parents can expend mountains of emotional energy on these two important concerns throughout the parenting years, and even long afterContinue reading “Mighty children and fabulous wealth”
Tag Archives: restoration
The Bible’s helpful teachings about confronting others – Holding others accountable, Part 4
I hate confrontation. I think most people also hate confrontation. When I have to confront someone, I can delay and avoid like a champ. Then when I can wait no longer, and the confrontation actually happens, I can say far less than I ought to have said. My emotions and fears take over. I can physically shake. I hate it. But ifContinue reading “The Bible’s helpful teachings about confronting others – Holding others accountable, Part 4”
We are restored for mission – John 21, Part 5
Jesus responded to Peter’s three denials by with three restorations. Though Peter had committed a terrible offense to Jesus, Jesus does not see Peter as beyond help. Do you see what this means? You are not beyond God’s love and forgiveness. You are not beyond God’s redemption. You are loved and forgiven. God can redeemContinue reading “We are restored for mission – John 21, Part 5”
How Jesus responds to the fact that one of his best friends disowned him at the moment of his greatest need – John 21, Part 4
When Peter denied Jesus, has Peter lost his position as leader? Is Peter qualified to be one of the 12 disciples anymore? When you deny your Lord, haven’t you committed the unforgivable sin? What Peter did was extremely significant, and not in a good way. Now Jesus addresses the elephant in the room, the factContinue reading “How Jesus responds to the fact that one of his best friends disowned him at the moment of his greatest need – John 21, 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”
Repentance comes before restoration – Advent 2022, Week 4, Part 4
Editor’s Note: This post is written by guest blogger, David Hundert. David is a current Master of Divinity student at Evangelical Seminary. In the previous post, we talked about the importance of repentance. Why is repentance needed? Consider what the Lord said through the prophet Isaiah once more. Isaiah 64:6 reads, “All of us haveContinue reading “Repentance comes before restoration – Advent 2022, Week 4, Part 4”
With God, the end of your story has not been written – Ezekiel 20, Part 2
Editor’s Note: Thanks to guest blogger David Hundert for continuing the Ezekiel series this week. Have you ever felt like things are so bad, there’s no hope? The “story” is ending at the moment of failure, and there is no way things could possibly turn around. Life can seem like that. But with God, there’sContinue reading “With God, the end of your story has not been written – Ezekiel 20, Part 2”
How a prophetic word can change your life (and the world) – Intro to Ezekiel, Part 5
I am excited to start studying this prophetic book of Ezekiel. Prophets are often conceived of people who predict the future. They seem glamorous. They hear from God. What I have come to learn, and this is only bolstered by my introductory studies of Ezekiel, is that the prophetic life is not glamorous, and itContinue reading “How a prophetic word can change your life (and the world) – Intro to Ezekiel, Part 5”
How to change, when change seems impossible – Colossians 3:5-11, Part 5
Have you ever felt like the guy in the picture? He seems afraid to take off the mask. Changing ourselves can be very difficult, even when we want to change. But it is possible. Keep reading to discover how. Today we conclude our study through Colossians 3:5-11, which we started here. In verse 10, PaulContinue reading “How to change, when change seems impossible – Colossians 3:5-11, Part 5”
Show vulnerability when you feel like an outsider – Honest Advent Week 1, Part 5
There’s one more story of vulnerability that I want us to learn from. Turn to Luke 19:1-9. At this point in the story of Jesus, he is on the way to Jerusalem where he will face his destiny. But Jesus is not quite there yet. He is passing through the nearby city of Jericho. CrowdsContinue reading “Show vulnerability when you feel like an outsider – Honest Advent Week 1, Part 5”
Engaging Scripture 