Posts from 2020
Church Is Not Self-Serve
Have you ever gone to a restaurant and received bad service? Do you remember how that made you feel? The food could be cooked perfectly and your company incredibly pleasant, but bad service can ruin the entire experience. Service really does make the difference. 1 Peter 4:10 says, “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” In this verse God tells us three things about service that enhance how…
Listening to the Word of God
As Southern Baptists, I can imagine that many of us are comfortable with the idea of reading the Bible. It is a discipline that many of us throughout all generations grew up doing and is a primary way by which we grow in godliness, wisdom, and understanding. However, what if I presented a different way to engage with Scripture? Have you ever considered “listening” to God’s word? The culture of biblical times was oratory in nature (they passed on and…
Selfless Generosity
Selfless generosity is a core value of Christianity. People all over the world have had their lives dramatically changed by what their brothers and sisters were willing to give. Giving has always been an essential part of God’s design for community. He is glorified and His name is spread among the nations by the charitable acts of His people. It is obvious why giving helps others, but how does giving help us? Giving means sacrificing. Typically, we sacrifice our time,…
God Grows His Kingdom at His Pace
This Sunday, we witnessed a believer’s baptism. It was very encouraging to me, and I hope to you as well. Often, it feels like God is working slower than we would desire. But it is important to remember that He is always in control and can always be trusted. This is especially true for discipleship. God grows His kingdom at His pace, and our job is to be faithful. In Matthew 28:19, Jesus commands His disciples, “Go, therefore, and…
Why Does A Healthy Christian Give?
We believe healthy Christians give generously to see the Kingdom of God advance, not only through their local church but through the Church around the world. But why is regular joyful financial giving a sign of spiritual health in us? Why is stinginess and lack of giving a sign of spiritual decay within us? First, giving helps us remember that we belong to God. If God created us, called us to salvation, sacrificed Jesus for us, and continues to perfect…
From the Served to the Server
“I’m hungry, can’t you make me some food?!” If you’re a parent, you’ve likely heard your children squawk this line hundreds of times. You’ve probably heard it at all hours of the day, especially 30 minutes after you’ve just finished eating dinner. As young children, we naturally desire and have a great need to be served and cared for by our parents. Then, as we grow and mature into adulthood, our need to have caretakers dissipates. Rather than relying on someone else to…
Meditating Upon God’s Word
Christians and non-Christians alike can tell that the Bible is holy, but after that, their opinions of the Bible will probably differ drastically. A book that is 2 inches thick is intimidating. We can all agree we are “supposed” to read the Bible, but where do we start, and how do we do it? If you are new to the Bible, I would suggest starting in the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John). But really, you can just about start…
Should We Go to Church Today?
A few months ago—before Covid-19 had reared its ugly head—David and I rose on a Sunday morning, and over the breakfast table, David asked, “Well, should we go to church today?” We both burst out laughing. You see, attending church is not a decision we make weekly. We need our church family. We need to see each other’s faces, each other’s smiles and tears. Zoom was a great stopgap measure, but each of us need person-to-person contact. The Bible tells…
Parents, Don’t Settle for Second Best
Parents, Don’t Settle for Second Best Parents, as a fellow parent, I know that you want the best for your children. I know that I do. I want my kids to have full, wonderful lives filled with love and laughter and adventure. I want them to follow their dreams and become all that God made them to be. I also want my children to know Jesus and to follow Him for their entire lives. I pray that they will grow in…
Self-Denial through Rest
If you are like a lot of us, the last few months have not been restful. While life hasn’t always been busy in the physical sense, it feels like life has been much busier than usual in the mental sense. This can bring mental fatigue and emotional struggle. What does a mature Christian response to fatigue look like? To rest. We all need rest, and it is good, okay, and spiritual to rest. We have to trust in God that…