When a piece of equipment or a device fails, it is impossible to repair it using the parts of the broken unit itself. We must always employ the use of a tool or replacement part outside of that system in order to affect the repair. Sure, we’ve seen things like the movie Apollo 13 where they were able to fix things using material already on the craft. But in that instance, they scavenged components from the abandoned lunar module (spare parts) to solve their problem. The human body, in all its wondrous goings on, cannot heal itself without the food, energy and water required for the cells to do their…

There have been, are, or will come difficulties and hardships in our lives; this is sure. “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 For those that choose to face their problems alone—whether that choice is motivated by fear, shame, or pride—they will fail to move past them once they’re over. If we do not walk with God through the course of a trial, and allow Him to share our heartache and pain—with prayers, tears (and sometimes some yelling)—our hearts will grow some callouses with the pride…

I approached God this morning on my knees. As my king, I approach the throne as his servant. Humbly requesting attendance with him. And I asked him to hold his blessings and his instructions for me until I confessed my sins to him. I had to explain that I had sinned against him and his kingdom, and as a result he may need to reconsider his position. These very sins prevent me from being an effective servant in his kingdom, and before I continue to serve he must know of my transgressions so that he may judge me and determine my usefulness. My greatest sin is pride. I so often…

I often wrestle with accepting my identity in Christ.  While many characteristics have been given to me, and have transformed me into a new creation, I often find myself “held back” by seeing me as I have always been:  broken and defective. And while I have often considered the need to purposefully look at others through the eyes of God—so that I can more fully apply my Christ-like qualities toward them—I have discovered that I’ve never really thought of applying that logic to me directly. Until recently, it never occurred to me to see myself as God sees me.  But indeed, this is the key.

During my current study of the Gospel of John, attention has been brought to the situation at the Last Supper where Jesus washes the disciples’ feet. Being mindful that the author was retelling these stories some 40-50 years after the fact, and that he provides the special privilege of seeing and explaining to us both the practical and the spiritual implications of this and other events to which he testifies. We’ve undoubtedly heard this event woven into at least one pastoral message at some point. But I’d like to share a couple of details that may have gone a little below the radar.

How many times has Jesus called out to me and asked me to climb out of the boat? And how many of those times he asked, did I? But in the times I did, I was amazed at how easily I could do things I didn’t think I could do; things I could only do with Jesus leading. He makes me bold, and gives me the power to do such great things. But too often, when I stop moving towards Jesus, I am given the opportunity to look around and see the reality of the world around me, and the waves seem so much higher than they did before. One…

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. James 1:22-25 I love God. I tell him this regularly. I find myself often overcome with thanksgiving and praise, and talk a great deal about what I’m…

There is a tendency for many Christians to refer to those outside the kingdom of God as “lost,” but the context of this label is lost (no pun intended) on them, and sounds much more like an insult than a reference of love. Jesus referenced lost sheep several times throughout his ministry Matthew 10:6, Matthew 15:24, yet did not imply that people had “lost their way”, and were wandering, aimless. Rather, he was specifically expressing that they had been lost, and were very valuable to him and he was (is) desperate to recover them. Then Jesus told [his disciples] this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and…

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” Matthew 7:13-14 Broad is the road to destruction, narrow that which leads to life. But unlike the memorable poem “The Road Not Taken,” by Robert Frost, these two roads do not run in different directions. They seem, in fact, to be parallel, one over the other, akin to the path of a miniature golf course: all players start at the same “tee”, but the ball must be…

A sacrifice, as a noun, is defined as: the offering of an animal, plant, or human life or of some material possession [usually of great personal value]; or the person, animal, or thing so offered. In both cases, however, the sacrifice is an offering that is hopefully pleasing to whom it is being offered. Throughout Old Testament history, we see various examples of sacrifices, offered for a variety of reasons and in a variety of ways. One of the earliest recorded examples of an offering is seen in Genesis 4:3-5. Abel’s offering was recognized by God as a sacrifice, since he brought to God his “first fruits”, the most valuable…