Reading the Scripture: “And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs after Jes ...
Taking Digital Sermon Notes Is A Great Idea
I love the feel and smell and of a leather journal. They are perfect for capturing personal prayers and reflections. They are also good for taking notes on Sundays. As much as I love the pen and paper experience, in this post I want to recommend that taking digital sermon notes is a great idea. Here are eight reasons why you should head to church t ...
A Prayer for College Students In a New Semester
Stacy and I love college students. Here is a prayer for the thousands who this morning step into a new semester or quarter. May God give you vision for how your coursework connects to His purpose for your life. May you increase in boldness for living and speaking the Gospel on your campus. May you find deep joy in the fun of the college experie ...
Sitting At The Feet Of Jesus
"As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said." (Luke 10:38-39 NIV) Jesus is near. This is our faith. Spending time with him between Sundays can feel elusive or confusi ...
A Father, A Floozy, and a Fool
The Father Good fathers want to keep their children safe. They teach their kiddos about external threats and internal compromises leading to disaster. In the seventh Proverb, Solomon speaks to his son about the costs hidden within sexual temptation. He illustrates the danger through a temptress and a simpleton. “My son, keep my words a ...
Tension in Trust
Mark 9:17-29 “Teacher, I brought you my son…” (Mark 9:17 NIV) The list of things parents would not do for their children is a short one. This father has served time as a witness to torment—beginning when his son was merely a child. He hungers for his boy to be free, to hear his boy speak—so he calls out from within the crowd. Jesus, f ...
Shields up: Tragedy and Faith
“Take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” (Ephesians 6:16 NIV) Shields up. The horrific events in Buffalo and Uvalde fall into a long line of “never-again” unthinkables—yet they happened. People made a routine grocery run, but never made it home. Children went cheerfully, innocently, ...
A Prayer For Stressed-Out Students
O God My Father, This moment in life—this time spent as a student—is a privilege made possible by your generous hand. You created my academic abilities, you led me to this school and you made the finances possible. Thank you for opening doors and providing for needs. I am grateful for the string of kindnesses you have supplied to bring me this ...
Ransom For Many
“Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life an offering for sin, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand.” (Isaiah 53:10 NIV) & ...
Covered In Christ
"Moses said to Aaron, 'Come to the altar and sacrifice your sin offering and your burnt offering and make atonement for yourself and the people; sacrifice the offering that is for the people and make atonement for them, as the Lord has commanded.'” (Leviticus 9:7 NIV) In the Old Testament, God required a system of sacrifice to er ...