Searching for Meaning and Purpose...

This is something I think we (being the Church proper) must read. After doing my Master's Thesis this past year about revival and its potential to sweep the world (based on historical study of the Great Awakening and comparative analysis), this is something we NEED to know. Anyone can cause emotional reactions and get a crowd to attend, in fact, the science of illiciting emotion is well documented (lighting, temperature, music, way of speaking, etc.). Because our emotionality cannot necessarily be trusted, these reminders that Ray Ortlund brings out from Jonathan Edwards are as timely today as they were in the mid-1700's. Read on and see where God might be taking us... How To Know What Real Revival Looks Like Ray Ortlund http://theresurgence.com/2011/03/30/how-to-know-what-real-revival-looks-like In 1972 I heard J. I. Packer lecture at my seminary. One simple sentence of his has echoed in my mind ever since: “Do not neglect the revival dimension in your ministry.” Re...

While on the surface, Washed and Waiting might look like any number of books published regarding homosexuality and the church, making that assumption would be leave one far wrong. Instead of a treatise on the evils of homosexuality or some theological gymnastics to explain away the biblical prohibition, Wesley attempts to simply explain who he is and what he believes. It is an intensely personal journey, as he shares his struggles and heart. The end result is something that speaks into far more situations than simply his. As a straight, married, father of 5 I have little in common with Wes. However, as a man and Christian who has struggled with temptation, I can go beyond relating and almost walk with him. The specifics are different, but the conclusions drawn in the first chapters can apply to any sin issue. Whether it's dealing with same-sex attraction, lust (for any gender), compulsive lying, or anything else for that matter, we can glean much from the experience Wesley...

No, I'm not talking about Darth Vader's change of heart in Return of the Jedi or any other story about someone who turns from their evil to become good. Instead, I'm talking about a verse from Paul's letter to the Romans: And we know that God causes everything to work togethert for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8.28 (NLT) This is often a Christian comfort verse, thrown out without thinking in times of deep sorrow, loss, and pain. At those times, it ain't much comfort and is really just a cop out. However, today I want to look at a story (from our E100 challenge, Day 11; if you don't know it look for the "Essentials" post and hop in) about God doing that very thing. In Genesis 37 we see the story of Joseph. He was his daddy's favorite, as evidenced by verses 3 and 4. He also had dreams that he shared willy-nilly with his brothers (out of pride, arrogance, or innocence I don't...

As we continue the E100 challenge (read yesterday's post to find out what we're talking about and join in!), today I read Genesis 12. Now, this might not seem like a very earth shattering passage, but as everything in the Bible is God writing a love letter to us, it carries some import. As something out of the ordinary in life, it carries even more for us. Abraham is often called the father of faith because of this story, but I think there's a lot more importance than his faith. I mean, faith is great, but we need to see something about that faith. In Genesis 12, here's what happens: 1 The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. 2 I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. 3 I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed thro...

So, as we begin the Essentials series, I am pausing to consider what is most important. I mean, there are so many things that demand our time, passion, and money. However, the convergence of all three tells us what we worship. So, what are we worshiping? That is the crux of the series: what are we doing with what we believe? What does belief mean in the grand scheme of things? Does it mean Sunday/Wednesday and nothing else? Or is there something essential that we're missing? Week 1 is looking at what is Essential 2: Grow. Week 2 we'll be looking at what is Essential 2: Know followed by week 3 in Essential 2: Show. Each of these weeks is an interactive experience in looking at who we are and who we can (and ought) to be. If you missed week 1 (and you know who you are!), here's a brief synopsis: What is essential for growth in a plant? A baby? An adult? Think about it, because there are certain foundational needs. A plant must have sunlight, carbon, and ox...

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 ...