Music helps us connect life experiences with past memories. We need older songs to help us remember God's Word and His faithfulness. At the same time, we also need new songs to make new connections. Words may challenge the mind, but music speaks to the heart. This morning while reading through Psalm 9, I was … Continue reading Music and Memories
Category: Church
Racial Reconciliation
Achieving racial reconciliation is challenging and seemingly impossible — both in our country and within the church. The stipulations imposed on us because of our differences should not determine how we relate to one another, but sadly, it seems they do. The most recent deaths of Alton Sterling (Baton Rouge, LA) and Philander Castile (St. Anthony, … Continue reading Racial Reconciliation
Who are you following?
Who are you following? Not just on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, or Instagram. Who is influencing your life? Is it your favorite writer or author? Is it a particular blogger that puts words to your thoughts? Is it a specific actor or a favorite show? Is it a musician or band that is always playing in the … Continue reading Who are you following?
Kingdom of Priests
So often, especially in the US, our identity seems to get wrapped up in our possessions (homes, cars, finances, etc..) and our value is usually related to what we do (teacher, engineer, manager, etc..). But God has called us to find our worth and our purpose in our relationship with Him. He has set us apart as believers … Continue reading Kingdom of Priests
What is Advent?
What is this thing called Advent? In 4th and 5th century Gaul and Spain, Advent was a preparation not for Christmas but for Epiphany. That's the early-January celebration of such diverse events in Jesus' life as his Baptism, the miracle at Cana, and the visit of the Magi. In those days, believers spent Advent's 40 … Continue reading What is Advent?
Discouragement
Have you ever been discouraged? The days are lonely and the nights are long. Discouragement typically comes to us because we’ve looked outward and found that our expectations of life or expectations of others have not been met. Problems, especially relational problems, tend to isolate us and discourage us. So after looking outward and becoming discouraged, … Continue reading Discouragement
Can I Get a Witness?
Whatever else we are as followers of Jesus (leaders, teachers, students, pastors, theologians, servants, philosophers, etc.), we are primarily witnesses of who He is and what He's done. Whatever we might become and whatever we might do, everything is subordinate to our life purpose of personally telling others about Jesus. After His resurrection and immediately prior … Continue reading Can I Get a Witness?
Why Bother with the Church?
Over the years, you’ve probably heard people say, “I love Jesus, but I don’t need to go to church to be a Christian.” Recently, we asked some people why they aren't involved with the church and got some pretty honest answers. Here are a few of the responses: “My parents MADE me go as a kid. I … Continue reading Why Bother with the Church?
Friends
A few months ago, DeeDee and I got together with some great friends before they moved to the Seattle area. This month is our anniversary, of sorts - the four of us have been friends for 20 years. As we sat and watched our growing kids play together, we reminisced. We had some time to … Continue reading Friends
Why pray?
More Americans will pray this week than will exercise, drive a car, or go to work. According to Gallup polls and Barna surveys, nine in ten of us pray regularly, and three out of four claim to pray every day. But as multiple surveys dig a little bit deeper, they consistently find obstacles that keep … Continue reading Why pray?
following Jesus 