Blog: September 2022

Last Sunday I mentioned Brett McCracken’s excellent book, Uncomfortable: The Awkward and Essential Challenge of Christian Community. McCracken brings a bold challenge against the consumer mindset that’s killing so many Christians and churches. The book “is about the comforting gospel of Jesus Christ that leads us to live uncomfortable lives for him” (p. 25).  “Are you willing to lay aside your ‘dream church’ consumer fantasies and accept the hard-to-stomach truths and awkward requirements of locking arms with weird people in common pursuit ...

In the current sermon series, we've been seeing that the church is a truly extraordinary creation of the Lord:  to think that we are the body of Christ, and the bride of Christ; we're part of the family of God, we're the sheep of his flock!  And to think that God would go to such stunning lengths to demonstrate his love for this people he is forming and gathering, his church (e.g., Romans 5:8).  It is a great wonder to be the cherished fellowship of Jesus--the church that he is "building" (Matthew 16:18). A theme that's been emerging in our ...

Miracles are often found in Scripture as a means of God doing what nature cannot explain to show His own power and authority over all things. This portion of 2 Kings 4–6 is no different. But these miracles don’t just teach us about God; they also demonstrate our human nature—to doubt when circumstances appear to leave us with little to no control. Many of the miracles performed by Elisha in 2 Kings 4–6 come in moments when the human dilemmas of sin, death, fear, worry, and lack are realized and people are overtaken with doubt. Have you ...

It’s sometimes said that every Christian is a missionary.  So, is this true?  Well, yes and no.  Yes, we’re all charged to participate in Jesus’ mission of gathering more disci­ples who trust in him (Matt 28:18-20).  All Christians are to share their hope (1 Pet 3:15); every believer is to declare the word of life (1 Pet 2:9).  God has put you into relational networks where you’re the one with life-saving news to share—you’re on mission, so speak up. But no, most Christians are not missionaries in the technical sense of the term.  In fact, ...

Elisha’s incredible loyalty to the prophet Elijah is recorded in 2 Kings 2. He followed Elijah wherever he went. He committed to Elijah even when others told him that Elijah would soon die. And he stayed by his side to the very end. Elisha saw something in Elijah that he himself wanted: his spirit. In fact, Elisha told Elijah that what he wanted from him most was “two shares of your spirit.” Why on earth would Elisha desire this? Was it because he wanted God’s Spirit to be accessible to him? Was it because he wanted the authority that ...

There has been (and will yet be) a tremendous amount of media coverage of the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.  And rightly so—to have served in public life for 70 years, reigned longer than any other monarch in British history, and been a constant advocate in the UK and beyond for peace and freedom … it’s remarkable. But amidst the pomp and ceremony surrounding the Queen’s passing, much attention has focused on the royal family:  how’s it going between William and Harry, and Catherine and Megan? Little attention, however, has been given to ...

I recently read You’re Only Human:  How Your Limits Reflect God’s Design and Why That’s Good News, by Kelly Kapic (Brazos 2022).  Great book—thought-provoking, honest, biblical, hopeful. “Finitude is an unavoidable aspect of our creaturely existence” (p. 6).  But we tend not to be comfortable with our limitations, often feeling a sense of guilt:  have I done enough, should I do more? In fact, “being dependent creatures is a constructive gift, not a deficiency” (p. 10).  It’s good to live with our human limitations—that’s how God intended ...

John Flavel was a pastor in 17th century England, and he wrote a very practical, penetrating book:  Keeping the Heart (1667).  “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it” (Prov. 4:23).  Keeping the heart is the great work of the Christian. Your heart—that deep inner seat of affection and trust—must be tended if your attachment to Christ is to survive and flourish.  Like a garden, the heart requires cultivation; like a fire in the fireplace, it must be cared for and stoked or the embers will cool and fade....

God is love (1 John 4:8).  How thankful we can be that compassion is the way of God’s heart!  If it weren’t for this fact, all would be lost.  What a wonder that “God so loved the world…” (John 3:16). But when it comes to what God “is,” love isn’t the whole story.  God also “is” light (1 John 1:5), spirit (John 4:24), and a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:29).  In our me-centered, self-absorbed age, we’re prone to say “God is love” and stop there.  After all, we’re very special and God ought to love us, right? (isn’t that his ‘job’?).  But we ...

Welcome to the new school year! This is a busy time adjusting to new schedules and routines for many – we are praying for you! We look forward to connecting with you in the weeks and months ahead and providing support and encouragement along the way. Please don’t hesitate to be in touch if your family has specific needs or concerns – we’d love to help. Starting this Sunday our check-in procedure for families with children age 0 through 5th grade will look a little different. In an effort to tighten both our security measures and attention ...