Leader || Preacher || Teacher
It’s been a great week for sports. Tiger Wood’s comeback victory to win the Masters after an 11 -year hiatus from major victories was amazing. Most people thought his career was finished. Many thought that he would never win a major event again.
How do you know when something or someone is finished?
Continue reading “It is Finished but it’s Not Over”
I had made up my mind that I wanted to try out for the 7th-grade basketball team. I stood up in class in response to the directions heard over the intercom that all who were interested were to meet in the gym. A guy in my class, I’ll call him “Tom”, pointed his finger at me and laughed saying, “You think you are good enough to make the team?” I was embarrassed. I went to tryouts but
“Are you ready? Let’s Go!” You can hear these words echo through our suburban home each morning as we are desperately trying to leave the house to get to school on time. “Did you brush your teeth? Did you get your snacks? Did you fill your water bottle? Did you get your lunchbox, your eye glasses, your folders, your homework, your project? Don’t forget your jacket!” When are my kids ready to leave? When they are equipped for everything their day at school requires.
Continue reading “Live a Life of Love: This is How We Fight Our Battles”
“He’s been dead for 45 minutes.” These were the words given to Joyce Smith when she saw her son John for the first time after he had been retrieved from the frozen waters of Lake Saint Louise. Doctors and medical staff worked diligently to try and bring life to his lifeless body. Joyce worked continually in prayer for her son. What happened next defies explanation.
Continue reading “Live a Life of Love: There is No Try”
Do you want to know Jesus better? You need the Spirit of wisdom and revelation.
Continue reading “Live a Life of Love: Know Jesus Better”
In college I accepted an invitation to attend a small church with some friends I had recently met. Everyone there was doing something I hadn’t seen before. They followed along with preacher’s sermon using their Bible. So as to not feel out of place I went out and bought my own Bible from a Book’s a Million in Mobile, Alabama. I was ready for the next time I went to that church.
Continue reading “Live a Life of Love: Worship God”
The book of Ephesians contains two major themes: power and identity. Which leads to two other major themes: worship and prayer. In fact, a good portion of the letter is worship and prayer. Some believe the author, Paul prays through the first three chapters. What would give Paul a heart for worship and prayer?
Continue reading “Live a Life of Love: See How Much God Loves You”
The birth of Jesus drew some unexpected guests from a faraway land, Magi or magicians, from the East. These wise men are not Jewish in ethnicity, they were Gentiles. In Matthew’s rendition of Jesus’ birth narrative, he wants you to know that Jesus is for everyone. And everyone can learn from the Magi how to honor and worship Jesus, the better gift.
I remember the first time a purchased a motorcycle. I saw an ad in the local paper and I decided to go take a look at a v-twin roadster from a private seller. I ended up buying the bike. Problem is I didn’t know how to ride it. The seller drove it home for me that day. Within a week I wrecked it.
There is a reason why there is not a Bigger Barns church of Christ (if you know of one, let me know). With Jesus as the head of the church and we as the bride. He gave himself up for her (us) to present her (us) radiant and spotless. As Jesus’ bride, we are to be as generous as Jesus. We share not only the gospel but our very lives. Sharing our lives means sharing our possessions. We don’t store up treasures for ourselves, we store up treasures for God.
Continue reading “The Better Gift: Bigger Barns church of Christ”