1 Thing Matters

“All big things come from small beginnings. The seed of every habit is a single, tiny decision. But as that decision is repeated, a habit sprouts and grows stronger. Roots entrench themselves and branches grow” (James Clear, Atomic Habits ). Habits are powerful. When those habits are filled with and fueled by grace, their impact can be profound. Jesus does not merely model these habits for us, but...

“All big things come from small beginnings. The seed of every habit is a single, tiny decision. But as that decision is repeated, a habit sprouts and grows stronger. Roots entrench themselves and branches grow” (James Clear, Atomic Habits ). Habits are powerful. When those habits are filled with and fueled by grace, their impact can be profound. Jesus does not merely model these habits for us, but...

“All big things come from small beginnings. The seed of every habit is a single, tiny decision. But as that decision is repeated, a habit sprouts and grows stronger. Roots entrench themselves and branches grow” (James Clear, Atomic Habits ). Habits are powerful. When those habits are filled with and fueled by grace, their impact can be profound. Jesus does not merely model these habits for us, but...

We’re not always so good at distinguishing between wants and needs. We are quite good even at convincing ourselves that a want is really a need. If we aren’t careful, that same mindset can begin to affect how we view Jesus and his role in our lives. Does Jesus exist merely to provide for what I want, or is he truly the Savior that I need? Jesus’ Transfiguration provides us with the answer.

We’re not always so good at distinguishing between wants and needs. We are quite good even at convincing ourselves that a want is really a need. If we aren’t careful, that same mindset can begin to affect how we view Jesus and his role in our lives. Does Jesus exist merely to provide for what I want, or is he truly the Savior that I need?

What do others think of us? Do we have a good reputation? Is our name respected? It may very well be, but not even a good name is enough to guarantee that we’ll be OK when life isn’t. At least not OUR good name, that is. HIS, on the other hand, makes all the difference.

It would be more than enough for God to breathe life into us through hearing and believing his Word. That alone is priceless. But that wasn’t good enough for God. He went a step further and provided us with the privilege of prayer, the opportunity to speak to him about what is on our hearts. And he listens. He always listens. Being OK when life isn’t? That involves bouncing back to prayer.

Our identity is solidified as we bounce back to the Word and to our baptism. They are our anchor when it comes to being OK when life isn’t. One would expect that the more confident we are with our own identity, the more confident we would be in witnessing to others. So why is witnessing still such a challenge, and more importantly, how do we overcome it?

2020 was a tough year, but is there any guarantee that 2021 will be any better? No, there isn't. Is there a way though, that we can turn a setback into a comeback? Can we bounce back from last year? We can, if we bounce back to our baptism.

2020 was a tough year, but is there any guarantee that 2021 will be any better? No, there isn't. Is there a way though, that we can turn a setback into a comeback? Can we bounce back from last year? We can, if we bounce back to the Word.

This year has been a mess in so many ways. Our Advent/Christmas series, "Christmess," has allowed us not only to acknowledge and embrace the mess, but to rejoice all the more that it was this very mess into which Christ came to save. As we look back on the mess of this year, how do we plan accordingly for the next year to ensure that it isn't such a mess? Unfortunately, we can't control...

This year has been a mess in so many ways. Our Advent/Christmas series, "Christmess," allows us not only to acknowledge and embrace the mess, but to rejoice all the more that it was this very mess into which Christ came to save. Messed-up plans are one thing, but how do you handle when others plan to mess you up? What hope is there when we have no control over the ill intentions of other...

This year has been a mess in so many ways. Our Advent/Christmas series, "Christmess," allows us not only to acknowledge and embrace the mess, but to rejoice all the more that it was this very mess into which Christ came to save.    We’ve all faced messed-up plans this year - multiple times in many cases! How do we keep ourselves from unraveling when our plans do? We find hope i...

This year has been a mess in so many ways. Our Advent/Christmas series, "Christmess," allows us not only to acknowledge and embrace the mess, but rejoice all the more that it was this very mess into which Christ came to save. No matter how messed-up and dysfunctional our family has been in the past or is even now in the present, Christ brings hope for messed-up people... including us.

This year has been a mess in so many ways. Today we begin our Advent/Christmas series, "Christmess," which will allow us not only to acknowledge and embrace the mess, but rejoice all the more that it was this very mess into which Christ came to save. Yes, our world has been a mess, but Christ is the Hope for a messed-up world.

“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Many love to quote these words of Jesus and misapply “truth” and “free” rather generically to suit whatever ideology or agenda they are promoting. But Jesus shed light on the real meaning of these words just a few verses later when he also said, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36). So the “truth” is thi...

“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Many love to quote these words of Jesus and misapply “truth” and “free” rather generically to suit whatever ideology or agenda they are promoting. But Jesus shed light on the real meaning of these words just a few verses later when he also said, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36). So the “truth” is thi...

“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”    Many love to quote these words of Jesus and misapply “truth” and “free” rather generically to suit whatever ideology or agenda they are promoting. But Jesus shed light on the real meaning of these words just a few verses later when he also said, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36). So the “...

“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”  Many love to quote these words of Jesus and misapply “truth” and “free” rather generically to suit whatever ideology or agenda they are promoting. But Jesus shed light on the real meaning of these words just a few verses later when he also said, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36). So the “truth”...

The parables of Jesus are much more than just stories; they are spiritual truths. Through parables, Jesus deepens our understanding of who he is and who we are.  The best banquet imaginable is in the works, and you’re invited. So is everyone else. Sadly, many are not interested and will miss out. Sadder still, many would love to attend - even expect to - but will miss out because they won’t b...

The parables of Jesus are much more than just stories; they are spiritual truths. Through parables, Jesus deepens our understanding of who he is and who we are. A vineyard is planted for one reason: to produce fruit. In this parable, Jesus uses the picture of a vineyard and its workers to teach us that he is looking for the same thing in his followers. What kind of fruit are you producing in his v...

The parables of Jesus are much more than just stories; they are spiritual truths. Through parables, Jesus deepens our understanding of who he is and who we are.   A father and two sons. Recalcitrance and repentance. Deceptive disobedience. Are we the first or the second son in Jesus' parable, and why does it matter? As Jesus himself asked, "What do you think?"

The parables of Jesus are much more than just stories; they are spiritual truths. Through parables, Jesus deepens our understanding of who he is and who we are.   In his parable today, Jesus helps us understand how his kingdom operates. His is not a kingdom made up of "good people" who have been dubbed such by good intentions, best efforts, or hard work, but a kingdom governed by grace. That'...

Virtually everyone has some thought or opinion on what church is or isn't, or what it should or shouldn't be. There's one perspective that matters more than all of them, though, and it belongs to the One who established the church in the first place. This is the fifth and final message in a five-week series that focuses on the church and God's purpose for it in our lives.    If you wish...

Virtually everyone has some thought or opinion on what church is or isn't, or what it should or shouldn't be. There's one perspective that matters more than all of them, though, and it belongs to the One who established the church in the first place. This is the fourth in a five-week series that focuses on the church and God's purpose for it in our lives.    Those who care about us are n...