What Moves Us to Sacrifice?
The life and teachings of Jesus point us toward the ideal of sacrifice. As we face the challenges of our lives, even as we face the reality of eternity, sacrifice must remain central if we are to understand the character and heart of our God, and if we are to fully realize the reason we were created. Let us do all we can to understand and appreciate this gift, shown and given to us, the gift of sacrifice. WatchNotesDownloadDateTitle
- Nov 11, 2018What Moves Us to Sacrifice?
What Moves Us to Sacrifice?The life and teachings of Jesus point us toward the ideal of sacrifice. As we face the challenges of our lives, even as we face the reality of eternity, sacrifice must remain central if we are to understand the character and heart of our God, and if we are to fully realize the reason we were created. Let us do all we can to understand and appreciate this gift, shown and given to us, the gift of sacrifice.
- Oct 21, 2018Is that Fair?
Is that Fair?
We believe that LIFE IS NOT FAIR. But upon deeper reflection, through the insights of Scripture, we can find that God’s own suffering and sacrifice for us is beyond what we can imagine. By trusting in Him and in the eternal big-picture of abundant life that He promises us, we can find that His righteousness, justice, love, mercy, and fairness are more than we could ever hope for. - Oct 14, 2018Who Really Knows You?
Who Really Knows You?
God knows what it’s like to be you. God keeps telling us that He is “in us.” And it seems that God also wants us to know what it’s like to be Him...to have His heart. Jesus even said be like your heavenly Father. God wants our experience of life to be His experience of life as well. Because if we can share this life experience with God, then we can truly know who we are what life is all about. - Oct 7, 2018How Do Two Become One?
How Do Two Become One?
We need one another. God tells us in Genesis “it’s not good to be alone.” We need relationships. Relationships that help us to grow. Growth is never comfortable. But if we commit ourselves to “become one flesh” with the ones we are given to love, we will find that we can “help” one another become all that God created us to be. - Sep 30, 2018Who is For Us?
Who is For Us?
Who is on my side? Who is my support system, my team? Is life even on my side? EVERYTHING is “for us”! At times it may seem that God, our family and friends, even our own thoughts and feelings are against us, BUT through faith and through living a life in the Spirit we can experience what Romans 8 tells us: “ALL THINGS things work together for our good when we love God and are called according to His purpose.” - Sep 23, 2018Who Are We Welcoming?
Who Are We Welcoming?
Jesus says we need to “receive” and “welcome” children into our lives so that we can know what it is to “receive” and “welcome” Him. What a change there is in our lives when we are open to receive a child! What a change in our lives when we are open to receive Christ! Who else might Jesus be calling us to “receive” and “welcome”? Let’s open ourselves to the life-change it brings!
- Sep 16, 2018Who Do You Say That He Is?
Who Do You Say That He Is?
Want new life? Look at the center (of the butterfly and of your life.) Jesus wants us to know who he is. Jesus wants us to know who God is. And Jesus wants us to know who we are as well. As we grow in our faith and as our relationship with Christ deepens, let us cling to the good news: we are always following Christ to new life in Him. - Sep 9, 2018How Does Your Faith Work?
How Does Your Faith Work?
For God’s will to be done in our lives and in our world, we need both Faith and Works. True Faith and true Works cannot exist one without the other. Our Faith Works! We have Working Faith! And if we need something to “hold together” our Faith and our Works, we have Spiritual Practice. So the question for us today (and every day) is “what are we Practicing?” - Sep 2, 2018How Will Our Children Know?
How Will Our Children Know?
We all have potential. No matter what stage of life we are living in at the moment. And we can all help each other. In fact, without one another, we cannot reach our potential. God has a “land for us to enter and occupy.” We can have that land, and we can pass it on to our children, if we are humble enough to grow. - Aug 26, 2018Can You Accept It?
Can You Accept It?
Can we accept that God may be calling us to a ministry of reconciliation that is beyond “either/or” Christianity? Can we accept a third force: God’s Spirit giving us life and transforming us so that God can bring the gift of transformation to the world? It’s easy to fight, to stand our ground, and ultimately to get stuck in our beliefs and perspectives. Can we accept the “flesh” and “blood” Jesus offers so that we can all abide in him?
- Aug 19, 2018Is Eternal Life in You?
Is Eternal Life in You?
Jesus is our food. Life’s challenges make us grow. We are part of the whole. We pass on life to others. Together we live forever. - Aug 12, 2018How Did You Get Here?
How Did You Get Here?
On life’s journey, we may ask ourselves “how did I get here?” Let us remember that the God who started us on our journey will see us through to its final destination. If we open ourselves to God’s leading, God will “draw” us to the left and to the right along the way, whichever direction we need to go. God will even “draw” us back on track if we seem to be a bit lost. Let us be thankful for the journey, and for God’s leading along the way. - Aug 5, 2018Is Your Bread Perishable?
Is Your Bread Perishable?
God is our life-giver. Our life-sustainer. Our creator. Our eternal rest. Let us place our trust in God for our eternal life. Let us do our part, our “work,” not for our own gain but for the joy of doing what God created us to do. - Jul 29, 2018What is Paul’s Prayer for You?
What is Paul’s Prayer for You?
God wants what is best for us. Specifically, a deep and growing relationship with Him. The Apostle Paul was moved by the the Holy Spirit to share this message with the early church. And this message is just as relevant for us today. Let us do our best to make his prayer a reality in our lives. And let it be our prayer for one another. - Jul 22, 2018How Does Shepherd Jesus Tie it All Together?
How Does Shepherd Jesus Tie it All Together?
Isn’t it wonderful how Jesus ties it all together for us. How God works in the lives of people generation after generation from the beginning. How God has a plan for rest and peace for us. How God’s word guides us. How God shepherds us. How God is Father and King to us, offering covenant relationship. And dwelling with us and in us.
