Yesterday my friend Courtney messaged my wife and me. Courtney reminded us that it was the third anniversary of our daughter Anna’s baptism. She had led the service because on that day I just wanted to stand beside my wife and children and be a dad (and not just the pastor). Her message was a … Continue reading Celebrate a victory anniversary
faith
Are you (dis)qualified?
2 Samuel 11: 26,27 “When the wife of Uriah heard that Uriah her husband was dead, she mourned for her husband... But the thing that David had done displeased the Lord." (NJKV) Today's Thought “I’m just too messed up to be a part of something significant.” “I’ll serve after I get my life together.” “I’m … Continue reading Are you (dis)qualified?
Staring at a loaded gun she still said Yes
Is your belief in God rooted in how good God is to you, or in the goodness of God? One of the most inspiring biblical stories is of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. Because of their unswerving loyalty to God they refuse to worship the false gods of King Nebuchadnezzar. So they’re threatened. Either bow down … Continue reading Staring at a loaded gun she still said Yes
You go nowhere by accident
Psalm 139:16 "all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be" (NIV) Today's Thought This week in the Up! devotional I’ve been offering super-practical ideas about how to love and connect with people, even people you just don’t like. But if you're going to be a person … Continue reading You go nowhere by accident
What Lent can mean to you
Today is Ash Wednesday. It starts the 40-day journey to Easter (excluding Sundays) that we call Lent. Lent is a time of preparation. I like to think of it as spiritual training. It’s just so easy to let laziness creep into our faith. So we use Lent to hone our spiritual muscles as we get … Continue reading What Lent can mean to you
Your litmus test
2 Corinthians 5:17 "So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation" (NRSV) Today's Thought The purpose of a “litmus test” is to see what something is really made of, to see what it really is on the inside. This happens in science with different substances, of course. But it can also happen with … Continue reading Your litmus test
The opposite of faith isn’t doubt
1 Corinthians 2:5 “That your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.” (ESV) Today's Thought I’ve been a pastor for almost 9 years. And one of the things that happens over time is that you start to see patterns. You start to see certain consistencies with the … Continue reading The opposite of faith isn’t doubt
But WHY do you believe?
1 Peter 3:15 "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect..." (NIV) Today's Thought If someone were to ask you, “Why do you believe in God?”, what would you say? In the first century, … Continue reading But WHY do you believe?
More than behaviour
2 Peter 3:18 “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (NIV) Today's Thought You’re trying. -You have good intentions about praying, but when you close your eyes your mind races to a thousand lesser things. -You want to volunteer for that project that’s been on your heart but you’re … Continue reading More than behaviour
What if you’re SUPPOSED to feel different?
1 Peter 2:9 "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation..." (ESV) Today's Thought Barna researchers asked people what kinds of religious behavior they considered “extreme.” 93% said that using religion to justify violence was extreme. I’d agree with that one! But 60% also said that evangelism was extreme. Evangelism is … Continue reading What if you’re SUPPOSED to feel different?
