GraceLife Sarasota

A few weeks ago, I highlighted some popular spiritual phrases that are cheap, pointless, and powerless. Phrases like “follow your heart”, find inner peace, sending positive vibes, adjust your okra… I mean Chakra, etc. These are non-biblical phrases spoken by those who think they’re spiritual but are powerless & useless. But Christians also have phrases that are useless when there’s no action behin...

I find it painful and embarrassing when my own hypocrisy is exposed. Yet, there's a part of me that takes a peculiar satisfaction in identifying hypocrisy in others. Especially the hypocrisy of those who have accused me of hypocrisy. I am very good at spotting your hypocrisy. In fact, as a good pastor should... I keep a spreadsheet. Now of course you might ask, where does Pastor Joe end up on this...

I find it painful and embarrassing when my own hypocrisy is exposed. Yet, there's a part of me that takes a peculiar satisfaction in identifying hypocrisy in others. Especially the hypocrisy of those who have accused me of hypocrisy. I am very good at spotting your hypocrisy. In fact, as a good pastor should... I keep a spreadsheet. Now of course you might ask, where does Pastor Joe end up on this...

"Crispus, the synagogue leader, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard Paul believed and were baptized. One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.” So Paul stayed in Corinth for a year and a h...

"Crispus, the synagogue leader, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard Paul believed and were baptized. One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.” So Paul stayed in Corinth for a year and a h...

Have you ever heard someone say, “I’m not religious, but I am very spiritual”? What does being spiritual even mean? And what makes them spiritual? I guess it’s because they say they are. That’s really all you need to do to be spiritual. For many, that’s the extent of religion or spirituality, Its what we say. I came up with a list of modern spiritual phrases people use, and provide what they reall...

Have you ever heard someone say, “I’m not religious, but I am very spiritual”? What does being spiritual even mean? And what makes them spiritual? I guess it’s because they say they are. That’s really all you need to do to be spiritual. For many, that’s the extent of religion or spirituality, Its what we say. I came up with a list of modern spiritual phrases people use, and provide what they reall...

How do you think the American church is doing with providing opportunities for people to hear the Gospel? Can you think of any other time in church history with more creative, engaging, resources of biblical content. We have thousands of conferences & seminars offering fresh perspectives on how to connect with God on a deeper level. We have seminaries online & in person. Amazon carries books on ev...

How do you think the American church is doing with providing opportunities for people to hear the Gospel? Can you think of any other time in church history with more creative, engaging, resources of biblical content. We have thousands of conferences & seminars offering fresh perspectives on how to connect with God on a deeper level. We have seminaries online & in person. Amazon carries books on ev...

Have you ever heard someone claim their anger is “righteous”? I’ve got an example of my righteous anger this week. Last Wednesday, driving to church down Tuttle, I came to the best-designed intersection in human history. You know the one where there’s a red light for Ringling, then 26 inches further is a red light for Fruitville Road? A beloved fellow motorist cut me off at Ringling, He made it th...

Have you ever heard someone claim their anger is “righteous”? I’ve got an example of my righteous anger this week. Last Wednesday, driving to church down Tuttle, I came to the best-designed intersection in human history. You know the one where there’s a red light for Ringling, then 26 inches further is a red light for Fruitville Road? A beloved fellow motorist cut me off at Ringling, He made it th...

"You therefore must be perfect, as your Heavenly Father is perfect" (Matthew 5:48) This verse from the Sermon on the Mount seems so out of place w/everything Jesus said about grace, mercy, & forgiveness, doesn’t it? Is this verse one of those verses you piously acknowledge, but secretly think… “ok I hope it means something else?” People make nice memes of Phil 4:13, John 3:16 & other verses on soc...

"You therefore must be perfect, as your Heavenly Father is perfect" (Matthew 5:48) This verse from the Sermon on the Mount seems so out of place w/everything Jesus said about grace, mercy, & forgiveness, doesn’t it? Is this verse one of those verses you piously acknowledge, but secretly think… “ok I hope it means something else?” People make nice memes of Phil 4:13, John 3:16 & other verses on soc...

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the...

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the...

This won’t be comfortable, but its good for us to squirm sometimes, as we test our ropes of faith, right? What would life be like if you were given everything your heart desires? What if all your dreams come true? Would it make you happy? Would you be fulfilled? Would you be completely satisfied? Or would it be a disaster? I’m not talking about just the standard desires of a beautiful family, a go...

This won’t be comfortable, but its good for us to squirm sometimes, as we test our ropes of faith, right? What would life be like if you were given everything your heart desires? What if all your dreams come true? Would it make you happy? Would you be fulfilled? Would you be completely satisfied? Or would it be a disaster? I’m not talking about just the standard desires of a beautiful family, a go...

"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah...

"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah...

Have you ever heard someone described as “fearless”? Well, I am here to tell you, that that person doesn’t exist. From our first breath until our last, fear, big & small, is a relentless part of everyday life on earth that never goes away. Have you ever been afraid to ask someone a question, scared you might not get the answer you want? Have you ever experienced FOMO, afraid your life won’t be ful...

Have you ever heard someone described as “fearless”? Well, I am here to tell you, that that person doesn’t exist. From our first breath until our last, fear, big & small, is a relentless part of everyday life on earth that never goes away. Have you ever been afraid to ask someone a question, scared you might not get the answer you want? Have you ever experienced FOMO, afraid your life won’t be ful...

For over a decade, my lawn was 85% weeds and 15% grass. It was green, but man was it nasty. So over a year ago, we decided to get a real lawn & sprinkler system and got the whole yard sodded. My neighbors all told me how impressive my new lawn was, it was the best lawn in the neighborhood. It was expensive sure, but now I had both treasure and prestige. My lawn was beautiful, the envy of the neigh...

For over a decade, my lawn was 85% weeds and 15% grass. It was green, but man was it nasty. So over a year ago, we decided to get a real lawn & sprinkler system and got the whole yard sodded. My neighbors all told me how impressive my new lawn was, it was the best lawn in the neighborhood. It was expensive sure, but now I had both treasure and prestige. My lawn was beautiful, the envy of the neigh...

Do people celebrate wisdom? It’s a kind of yes and no. Wisdom is not fun, exciting, sensual, or anything like that. People don’t usually celebrate wisdom like they do good news or sports. People don’t throw “Wisdom Parties”. On the other side, some people worship wisdom like a god, like it’s a key that unlocks untold insight and success. If I forced you to define it, could you? Is all wisdom the s...

Do people celebrate wisdom? It’s a kind of yes and no. Wisdom is not fun, exciting, sensual, or anything like that. People don’t usually celebrate wisdom like they do good news or sports. People don’t throw “Wisdom Parties”. On the other side, some people worship wisdom like a god, like it’s a key that unlocks untold insight and success. If I forced you to define it, could you? Is all wisdom the s...