With God’s Help We Will
Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. (Matthew 28:16–20) This past Sunday met outside as part of Creekside’s Baptism Celebration at Tolt McDonald...
Read MoreLife Changing Truth
The Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:26–28) Read the words of the passage from Roman’s above. Read them again. Sit with them. Does anything strike you or stand out to you? If not, read them again. Seriously, read...
Read More10 Tips for Liking The Bible (pt. 2)
I have had a blast sharing at Creekside these last couple weeks! Such a fun honor to be able to share with my “home” community. By way of a reminder – in case you weren’t feverishly taking notes 🙂 – here are the tips we unpacked: 1. Read “relationally” not informationally. 2. Set your expectations really high. 3. Read “prayerfully.” (Have a strategy for beating the defense!) 4. Watch the movie. (Read a whole book…or at least a big chunk.) 5. Raise your voice. (Read out loud.) 6. Learn from your shampoo bottle. (Repeat) 7. Read alone. (No notes at the beginning.) 8. Don’t read alone. (Have a...
Read MoreThe First Two Steps Toward Liking the Bible Are All In Your Head
Do you struggle with being consistent when it comes to reading your Bible? I did…for more than 20 years! I believed the Bible was true. I knew I “should” read it more and know it better. I even found value when I read it. And yet, I would go days, weeks, or even months with my Bible collecting dust on a shelf. The reason? I didn’t like it. How about you? It’s really, really hard to be consistent – and find value – in something we don’t like. (Think “exercise.” J) This past Sunday, we started having a conversation about HOW to like the Bible. Ever since I started to enjoy the Bible...
Read MoreThe End Of The World As We Know It
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have...
Read MoreGrace and Truth
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. … For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. John 1:14, 17 I’m so glad we live in a free country, and that we recently celebrated 237 years in our quest for independence. I’m even more glad that we have freedom in Christ, freedom to really live, assured that we are completely and unfailingly loved by God. Because we are loved by God, and because His Spirit lives within us, we can have a balance...
Read MoreStep Into Who You Are
Those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. Romans 8:14–17 The past couple of weeks at Creekside we have been talking about the Holy Spirit, who Paul...
Read MoreForgotten God
But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. John 16:7 You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. Romans 8:9 In his book, Organic Church, Neil Cole tells the story about a Korean pastor who made a tour of Churches in the United States. At the end of his visit, he summarized his observation with the comment, “It is amazing what you people can do without the Holy Spirit.” I remember reading that...
Read MoreIdentity and Arguments
On Sunday I preached about what is one of the hottest, most contested, divisive topics in American Christianity: Masculinity and the Church. The Church, since its inception, has always had issues to deal with, hot topics to address, moral and societal issues to take to task. In fact a large portion of the New Testament is the apostle Paul (and others) aiming their wisdom and leadership at prescriptively addressing these issues. Read Galatians… ‘nough said. For us, for Creekside, no matter what the issue at hand our response should always be the same: we should return to Scripture, pray for...
Read MoreSent
“Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves. But beware! For you will be handed over to the courts and will be flogged with whips in the synagogues.” (Matthew 10:16-17) In Matthew 10 Jesus spends most of a chapter describing to his disciples how difficult being sent to do Kingdom work is. He doesn’t sugar coat it much. According to Jesus following him will result in beatings and family betrayal. Jesus lays it all out, and then in essence says you will either follow me or you won’t. For most American young people that grow up going...
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