The word community was never disputed. When the church I was a part of was undergoing the process of changing their name, nearly every potential word or phrase was scrutinized and debated. There was even disagreement over whether the word church should be included in the new title. Yet, nobody ever questioned the inclusion of […]
THE IMPERFECT PASTOR
Responding to failure with forgiveness
A few years ago, I was apart of a large multi-campus church that was very well connected and whose pastor was often in the public spotlight. When rumors began surfacing about potential scandals, almost every Christian news outlet and magazine went hunting for skeletons. They unearthed a number of things that were seen as unethical, […]
ON CHRISTIAN “HYPOCRISY”
Counterfeit character and the church
I once paid for gas with a counterfeit bill. At the time, I had no idea it was counterfeit. I thought the $20 I pulled from my purse was valid, perfectly real. Paying for gas with it was supposed to be a routine transaction. Only when the cashier used a bill detector and told me […]
THE PRAYER WALK
How prayer walking can boost your spiritual health
Have you ever heard of a prayer walk? Or have you ever heard someone talk about going on a prayer walk, but had no idea what that was? You are not alone. Many Christians don’t know what a prayer walk is, and it sounds so simple that it’s hard to ask for an explanation. Insecurities […]
IF GOD IS ALL I NEED, WHY DO I FEEL SO LOUSY?
Exploring the emotional and spiritual benefits of counseling
Ten years is a long time to carry a heavy heart, but I did. And I know I am not alone. Each year, 19 million Americans and 121 million people, worldwide, struggle with some form of depression. For a few, it may be so constant they accept it as normal or part of their personality, […]
THE LIGHT OF GOD’S LOVE
Letting God's goodness change you
The Christian life of faith is very comparable to a new relationship. This new life in Christ is exciting and freeing. It is different than anything you have ever experienced. There is so much to learn about God, his word, and even this new quirky family we call the Church. However, much like natural relationships, […]
THE BEAUTY OF THE BRIDE
Do I really have to go to church? On the importance of the local church and the necessity of our participation
It’s not uncommon to have an unpleasant church going experience or be turned off by the words, behaviors or attitudes of other Christians in your community. Flawed people often produce flawed results. The discomfort caused by such experiences can often lead us to ask the very simple question: “Do I really have to go to […]
UNCOMMON UNITY
Enjoying the company of others who are different from ourselves through the unifying work of Jesus
Community, or lack thereof, is an epidemic sweeping our nation. We’ve replaced face-to-face conversations with text messages and quality time in the company of other people with time on Facebook. The contrast between these things cannot be overstated. There is a generation of Millennials who seem to value relationships less than previous generations and who […]
THE MISTAKEN IDENTITY OF CONFIDENCE
False humility and boasting in the Lord
I have a strong sense of confidence in the Lord and trust the abilities that God has given me. Some people have unfortunately mistaken my confidence for pridefulness and thought they should correct me. Chastising a person for self-assurance is a common practice, because we don’t want to be prideful or boastful in our own […]
BEYOND SUNDAY MORNINGS
Exploring the World of Community Groups
Patty wanted a more connected church experience. She returned to church after a several year hiatus and wanted to be involved beyond Sunday mornings. “I also wanted to meet other people who had similar interests and desires.” Patty signed up for a community group. That’s where she met Noel. Noel was on a two-year Navy […]
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