Thomas VanderPloeg

Fear in our world grows and expands when we add worrying. One of the ways the Bible tells us to push fear aside is by putting our worries aside.

A 50th anniversary service which acknowledges God’s covenant faithfulness to Fellowship Church.

James wraps up his letter to the churches with advice to cover their circumstances in patient prayer with one another.

James tells us that the allegiance of our hearts is seen in our outward actions; therefore, wisdom from heaven must begin in the allegiance of our hearts.

James tells us our attitudes and actions are both able to be shaped by a wisdom which looks upward to the example of Christ.

James is often referred to as a book of practical wisdom for the church; yet James starts his writing with advice that would seem very unconventional for his readers.

Jesus tells us in the gospels that his words are not just meant to teach us knowledge, God expects his word to change us. How does this transformation take place in us yet today?

The creation itself reveals the creator. We are reminded through the Psalms not to worship created things, but always to see God through the creation.

The Bible not only reveals God’s gospel message of redemption, it also gives us a perspective towards our own identity in this world; it reminds us of who we are.

Christians say that the Bible is the Word of God; but what do we mean by that and how do we understand the words of these ancient texts to be the voice of God?

Prayer changes things. The most effective prayers are not the ones which seek to change my situations and circumstances—the world and people around me; the most effective prayers are the ones that change ME.

Jonah gives us an example of both a prayer that makes room in his heart, and a prayer that shuts out room in his heart. We can learn from Jonah the ways in which our own hearts either make room for prayer, or shut out room for prayer.

What an amazing thing it is that God has made it possible for us to present with God by the indwelling of his Holy Spirit. In prayer, we can embrace the indwelling presence of God with us.

Learning to sift through all the “voices” in our world and to discern how God is speaking to us is a key task of discipleship. Prayer teaches us how to silence all the other noise in our world so that we can listen to God.

Everybody wants a place where they know they can belong; the Bible assures us that we are created for belonging, and baptism is the sign of God’s promise that we always have a place to belong with him.

God invites us as his people to connect our hearts with his heart; a well-rounded rhythm of prayer with God helps us as disciples of Jesus to remain connected to God’s heart.

Prayer is a practice which brings us in union with God; sometimes the best way to begin embracing a life of prayer is to let others give you the words.

The Bible often reminds us that in our attempts to seek out God, it is always in fact God who is seeking our hearts.

The gospel of Jesus orients our souls towards a new life with God; the practice of worship also orients our souls towards a new life with God. Making room in our lives to nurture the wellbeing of our community brings action into a new life with God.

God created humans to be in relationship together. As followers of Jesus, we make room in our lives to cultivate meaningful relationships in ways that encourage the spiritual fruit of faith.

Making room in my life to listen and respond to the Holy Spirit means that I must declutter my life in order to make room.

The Bible tells us that faith is interactive. This means that the faith God has planted in his people calls for a response; the Bible also gives us a clue to what that response looks like.

Samuel needed help to recognize God’s voice. God still reveals himself all around our world; sometimes we too need help knowing how to listen.

The choices we make from day to day all combine together to impact the person we become. Joshua reminds the people that their journey with God involves some choices; our path of discipleship involves choices too.