Introduction We continue our study of the Sermon on the Mount. And today, we begin its conclusion. Jesus has been presenting his Kingdom and his Kingdom ways. But now it is time to decide. Jesus will begin to draw a line in the sand today. It’s time for us to decide if we want the Kingdom. For the next several sections, he will ask us to choose, and this decision point, this … [Read more...] about Matthew 7.13-20
Joy and Privilege of Busyness
The toll of too much busyness can be catastrophic... to our health, to our relationships, and to our faith. But a type of busyness is welcome. "Like Martha in scripture, it is easy to feel resentment because we seem to be doing all the work while others are getting more of a free ride...That is the feeling that can weigh us down for long periods during our adult years, … [Read more...] about Joy and Privilege of Busyness
Why Evaluate a Profession of Faith
Churches sometimes ask people to share their testimony (or, story of conversion/confirmation, profession of faith) and their understanding of the Gospel. Answering these questions may be a condition for joining the church or a particular team at the church. Why do churches do that? A few thoughts... To protect the church from wolves. The church is commanded to … [Read more...] about Why Evaluate a Profession of Faith
As You Can
A good morsel of prayer advice I pass on to you: Pray as you can, not as you can’t. (T. Staton) What a simple but profound thought. Rather than push off prayer to some future moment when you can “really” pray, why not pray as you can now? Rather than focus on your shortcomings in prayer, why not accept your current limitations and just pray as you … [Read more...] about As You Can
Read the New Testament in 2025
Dear Reader, I invite you to join me for a journey through the New Testament in 2025. We’ll be using the plan below, which is based off the 5x5x5 Navigators plan. If you’ve never read the New Testament through or are new to the Bible in general, this plan is an easy way to jump into the story. A few things I like about this plan: If you’re interested in … [Read more...] about Read the New Testament in 2025