At Christmas we celebrate the birth of Jesus, to be sure. But, as Martin Luther says: "We see here how Christ, as it were, takes our birth from us and absorbs it in his birth, and grants us his, that in it we might become pure and holy, as if it were our own, so that every Christian may rejoice and glory in Christ’s birth as much as if we were born of Mary as was Jesus.” So, Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday!
There are many connections between the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus. The shepherds get it first!
Promises of Advent Week Three: A Promise Each of Us Is Invited Into Each day is an opportunity to be slightly less terrible living between the expectations we have and the hope things will get better. We are called into a life of tiny little steps where we compare ourselves to who we were yesterday not who someone else is today. Living in the Kingdom of God isn’t as much about being a monk or a spiritual pilgrim as much as it is you being you under the power of the Holy Spirit through the ordina...
The Promises of Advent: A Promise So Ordinary It's Easy To Miss Second in a four part series (attrib. David Lose) for the season on Advent. Based on Luke 3:1-6 A Battle Royal of the seven rulers of the known world of the first century Holy Land vs. John the Nobody…and Jesus It’s the same today, no matter what is happening in our lives, putting us down for the count, we will overcome because we have the champion of the universe fighting for us…Jeeeessssuuusss!
First in a four part series (attrib. David Lose) for the season on Advent. Based on Luke 21:25-36 The risk we take when we live out, “I believe…” Is this real or just a fantasy…Find out
The message of the Good News of Father, Son and Holy Spirit is about being clear, not about trying to persuade. The persuading is done freely by the Holy Spirit.
When you drive away from church Sunday morning- Jesus has left the building...
An overview of the Holy Spirit from the Old and New Testament...Today, he comes to us in the same power
When you make yourself available to the Holy Spirit, he will supernaturally connect you to others in a natural way...All ages...All hands on deck...
Jesus invites us to go with him and bring his compassion to a world of need...
My neighbor, those who are nearest me, can come from a variety of places. Likely this will be arenas of common focus. Common Family- immediate household and extended family Common Community- the neighborhood I live in Common Interests- work, school, gym- anywhere that connects me to the same people on a regular basis God shows up in a variety of ways in these venues…
Jesus has a plan for his people to move out of building-focused faith. As a Christian, when you move out in the world around you, you are dealing with people that might not share your values, but get to see your values in action. When you bring God's presence working through you in neighborhoods, school, work, and other locations as a natural part of the rhythm of life, there is a much greater chance of sharing the compassion of Jesus with everyone and sharing the Gospel with those who are recep...
In the Bible, salt is a metaphor for friendship and faithfulness. When Jesus calls us "the salt of the world" he invites us to share the compassion and joy of God within us with our neighbors. Everyone needs a little salt in their lives!
Christians filled with the power of the Holy Spirit loving their neighbors as themselves...This is the hope of the world
Pastor Lynn Cory, author and founder of Neighborhood Initiative, is our guest preacher as we launch a six week series based on his work. We are learning how to practically connect with our neighbors, and through prayer and acts of compassion, be a blessing right where we live.
We welcome Rebecca Leinhard, CEO of Tierra del Sol (tierradelsol.org), who gives a compelling view of what it means to be created in the image of God. Using Genesis 1 and 2, Psalm 139, and her own experiences, we gain solid insights about how we all need support in our lives in a variety of ways, and how we are stronger together as we provide that support, like gardeners of a well-tended garden. “We are only as good as the supports we need to function across multiple environments…”
When Jesus says, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” what does it mean to “love yourself?”
I want what God wants...a recipe for abundant life
We don't need to seek new wisdom about how people can live in healthy and thriving community. We do need to try what God has already handed down in teachings like the ten commandments. Relationships with parents, spouse, family, friends, work, community...it's all here
The first commandments address our relationship with God. How do you love God? Here is what it looks like.
First in a four week series on the Ten Commandments. Exodus 19 speaks of God establishing a covenant, a promise, with his people; his sons and daughters. That's relationship. Our identity is given to us freely by God. Then in Exodus 20 God gives us the Ten Commandments. Only after he has established the relationship does he call out our obedience. In other words, (coined by David Lose) "19 comes before 20"...
Gideon says he is the least of these and who could argue with that? God could... Why you have every reason to hope for the best
Prayer is so much more than we think. Direct connection with the creator of the universe and an ongoing relationship of trust, wisdom, direction, and power available to those who call out...amazing
Just what do we mean by a Christian marriage? Starts with the vows...
What do ancient baptismal fonts, pickles and two year olds have to do with living life God’s way? Have a listen...from Colossians 3:12-17
I am already a new creation. I am putting my life in the hands of Jesus who gives me my identity. Jesus lives in me and I do not recognize my identity as coming from anywhere else. Jesus means everything to me and I reject any other attempt to try to collectively label me with an identity. I know who I am. His…
What does it mean that the things of heaven are available on earth? Christ’s resurrection is your resurrection, too. So, what is true of Jesus is true of you. This changes everything… Example? Problem: Unkindness grows as we are too rushed to get things done Solution: Accessing the heavenly dimension and discovering Jesus’ better way Sermon on Colossians 3:1-4
Week Eight of The Gospel Primer Series: Gospel Rhythm Discipleship and mission does not need to be a big, long, new list of activities that we need to jam into our already busy schedules, it’s really a matter of noticing the rhythms of life that we already live in and shifting from thinking “additional” to being more “intentional” with all of life.
Week 7 of The Gospel Primer: Gospel Identity Created in God’s own image (three in one), our Gospel Identity is: We are a family of missionary servants, sent as disciples who make disciples. This has great implications for our lives and ministry as we live out of our true identity.
Week six of The Gospel Primer Series: Two Lenses... It is when we grasp and wrestle with the Two Lenses of Gospel Power and Gospel Purpose that we have a gospel that places our salvation squarely on the work of Jesus on the Cross and sends us out to be his body, his family of rescue and restoration in the world.
