Searching for Meaning and Purpose...

In our world there are tons of questions we are stuck dealing with. How did we get here? What's the point of me being here? Why did I just do that? But often, the toughest question we have to deal with is: why do bad things happen to good people? I mean, right now I'm in that line of questioning because of some things that are going on in our family. Why would God ever allow that to happen? Why wouldn't He answer the prayers of people who love Him? It just seems so unfair... I feel that we, as American Christians, have bought into a couple lies that our parents probably told us were lies from day 1. The first, is that "life is fair." That concept actually comes from an eastern spirituality where good deeds are rewarded and bad deeds punished, thus creating a universal "karma" that is either negative or positive. While some might think the Bible supports this concept, it doesn't. In fact, it's from the Bible we see that life is not f

So yesterday we talked about what Mighty God meant in terms of the name.  But as the GI Joe's would have told you in the 80's: "Knowing is half the battle" (yes, I did just reference the ubiquitous PSA's at the end of my favorite childhood cartoon in a sermon; so sue me!)  When it comes to God's Word, knowing means jack squat.  The most important part is what it means to YOU.  So, what does it mean to us that Jesus is, "Mighty God?" First, it means His power is at work IN us.  There are a lot of ways to describe this and lots of verses talking about it.  This is simple to point to in our youth center, because the logo verse on the wall sums it up well: Jesus, will ignite the kingdom life, a fire, the Holy Spirit within you, changing you from the inside out. Luke 3.16  (MSG).   Paul also had somethings to say that I think we need to see: For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.  Philippians 2:13 (N

___________________________________________________________ "For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called:          Wonderful Counselor                     Mighty God,                              Everlasting Father,                                     Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9.6 (NLT) ___________________________________________________________ As we started last week with Wonderful Counselor, we continue today with Mighty God. Now first, where do you hear the word, "might" (and not as in "I 'might' go to the movies" but as in strength or power)? If you're anything like me the answer comes from two places: church and when talking about the military! We hear things about "military might" and sing about how our God is "mighty to save" but what does it really mean? We don't actually know! When asked, most students stare at me and then som

This morning I read an article that encapsulated a lot of my thoughts for a while, and I cannot write like I would normally. Even with the Advent focus, I cannot seem to avoid regurgitating what I read this morning because it is that important and affected me that deeply. So, instead of reading something from me, take a look at this article from Relevant Magazine and Craig Groeschel: A Christian Atheist

___________________________________________________________ "For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called:        Wonderful Counselor                      Mighty God,                              Everlasting Father,                                          Prince of Peace ."  Isaiah 9.6 (NLT) ___________________________________________________________ This is the so familiar Advent refrain. But in its familiarity we forget what it really means! Think back to Moses or Jacob in their encounters with God: they made a singular request that related to the belief structure of the day. Both asked, "What is your name?" Perhaps because they wanted power over this God they were meeting, perhaps because they actually wanted to know; I'm not going to make that call. Regardless, God gave them a name: Y-W-H (I know, I'm not writing this as a Jew but still think it's better that way!)

" But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. " 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV) In our resumes and university applications, credit reports and Facebook profiles, political campaigns and music tastes, we are goaded to flaunt our strengths. Intrinsic to our culture is the philosophy of boasting in strength. Submission to this cultural spurring proves to be a great obstacle to the modern Jesus-lover in his relationship with the Divine. For God views the strength of man as wholesale folly and chooses the weak things of the world to shame the wise. Thus, Biblical instruction contradicts our very habit–– as always–– and we're left at a disadvantage by the very things that we thought enabled us. No longer should we fall into the trap of trying to woo God's eye toward our shabby "good" but, instead,