Ephesians 2:10 "For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works..." (NIV) Today's Thought 15 years ago one of my co-workers had a habit of writing important things on sticky notes and pasting them around his computer screen. He soon ran out of space. So when the area around his computer … Continue reading When many things are important none of them are
faith
A Person who demands your confidence
Matthew 28:8 "So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy..." (NIV Today's Thought Holidays and traditions are great. I love big meals, hot cross buns, and Easter egg hunts as much as the next guy. But when the things we do start to eclipse the meaning behind WHY we do … Continue reading A Person who demands your confidence
Celebrate a victory anniversary
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
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?
