We had our big Vacation Bible Camp a few weeks ago. It’s hectic, fun, busy, chaotic… and all about Jesus and the goodness of God! Our church has a top-notch Youth Coordinator. Her name is Julie. Before the week began, she took a big white board in her office and wrote “Come, Holy Spirit!” along … Continue reading Come, Holy Spirit
encouragement
Expect to be different
In the 1st century, the apostle Peter wrote a letter to encourage Christians who were feeling shunned and persecuted for their faith. Since they didn’t buy in to the dominant religions of the day, and would only worship the one true God of the Bible and order their lives according to his teachings, they were … Continue reading Expect to be different
Grace notes
You've heard the lie before: "Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me." The idea is that words—because they are invisible—cannot hurt us. But we know it isn't true. The put down, the threat, the lie that cuts deeper than a knife. Words can have a negative power. BUT... they … Continue reading Grace notes
God finishes what he starts
We were talking in a restaurant on a Thursday afternoon while eating high-calorie French fries. My friend was telling me how down he was feeling about his spiritual progress. He felt he should be further ahead… and that he often struggled with the sin of pride… and that his devotional life always felt like work. … Continue reading God finishes what he starts
Whose words to you will never fail
A friend who doesn’t share my beliefs was telling me his “bucket list”—things he wanted to do before he died, before he “kicked the bucket”! In addition to things like snorkeling at the Great Barrier Reef was reading the Bible. He told me that even though he wasn’t a Christian, he realized that the Bible … Continue reading Whose words to you will never fail
Satan
A lot of people don’t think about Satan very much. Sure, they read about him in the Bible sometimes, and hear an allusion to him in a movie now and then. But he probably doesn’t really figure into their daily thoughts. But that’s the thing. He often DOES figure into our daily thoughts. It’s just … Continue reading Satan
From Trolls to Glorifiers
Trolls continually post negative comments online. If you want to pump some positivity into the drab that can be the internet, read on.
Speak Life (and a request for some help)
A few words can alter someone’s life: “You got the job!” “It’s a boy!” When we think about life-altering words, we usually think about big events with photo-ops and months of planning. But you can also have a positive, life-altering impact in your everyday conversations with the people around you. “I’m proud of you.” “You … Continue reading Speak Life (and a request for some help)
Spiritual fertilizer
When you have an amazing and tasty experience at a new restaurant, what do you do? You tell someone about it. And when you beat the odds and win the hockey pool at work, what do you do? You tell someone about it. So when God shows up and does something significant in your life, … Continue reading Spiritual fertilizer
The Whisper Test
1 Thessalonians 5:11 "Therefore encourage one another and build one another up" (ESV) Today's Thought This week I’m suggesting practical things we can do to love one another. On Tuesday I talked about the importance of taking your own sin seriously. (You can review it here.) On Wednesday I talked about listening before talking. (And … Continue reading The Whisper Test
