What About Jesus? 5 Questions from Our Youth Group
Did Jesus really exist? I'm not sure. Did Jesus really come back to life? Or is it like a metaphor? Is Jesus the only way to God? What does it mean to have Jesus in your heart? What does a relationship with Jesus look like and feel like in my everyday life? These great classic questions from the youth in our church go back to the heart of what we believe. Off the top of my head, the only other question that ranks with these is,
Holy Week – Day 5: Maundy Thursday: This Is Love
This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. -1 John 4:10–12 The word “Maundy” comes from the Latin “mandatum,” meaning commandment. This is in reference to the new
Hosanna in the Highest
Through Christ’s sacrifice and suffering, we are awed by the abundant gifts the Father grants us through Jesus’ physical resurrection—a lavish, abundant, beyond-all-expectations life that never ends. That’s the life-giving, hopeful, joy-bringing message of the Gospel. He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? ( Romans 8:32) This above passage cuts right to the heart of the New Testament. It puts us in
Holy Week – Day 1: Palm Sunday – What’s the Buzz?
An Introduction Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” –John 11:25–26 Most of us are familiar with the verses above, but think about the last part of the Scripture—do you believe this? This is the heart of our discussions about our faith and something we should continue to ask ourselves daily. Do we really
From the Pastor: Discouraged, Disheartened, Emotionally Drained? Hope in God!
Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God. -Psalm 43:5 Beginning with Palm Sunday, lies, false witness, denial, slander, scheming, injustice, rejection of truth, hypocrisy—human sin and daily life are played out vividly in the events of Holy Week For many, it has been that and even more. It has been a year since we embarked on a journey that
Ash Wednesday
With Ash Wednesday, we begin the season of Lent. Generally, it is considered a time of confession and contrition—acknowledging that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. We pledge ourselves anew to live unto God’s Word in Jesus Christ, the eternal Word that remains forever. But Lent is more than that. It is also a time of joy looking forward to celebrating the astounding and guaranteed promise of earthly rescues and everlasting life—resurrection. So this Lent, if you
Hope for the New Year
Charles Dickens said in A Tale of Two Cities: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times….” I think I can speak for our family in saying that 2021 was both the worst year of our lives, and the best. It was a year of challenges, but it was crowned with the love and care of God's family all around the world and with a Christmas miracle. We turn our eyes to the only One who
Staying Positive in a Negative, Despair-ridden World
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. -Romans 8:28 The astonishing truth of the apostle Paul’s life-changing words powerfully helps us navigate through our most significant problems and trials without fear or complaint. Think about it: Everything in life that happens to us (everything!) is the raw material God uses for our good. God doesn’t smile benignly upon the evil that is happening around
From the Pastor: Real Love
This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. -1 John 4:10-12 We love because God loved us first. It’s not that we loved God, searched him out, and
The World Is Falling Apart?
Are you worried that the world as we know it is falling apart? Can you recall a time in history—even in your long or short lifespan—when things appeared so out of control? If you really are a worrier and concerned about what is going on around you, then know this: whatever happens to our world, the Kingdom of God remains the same—forever. The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever." -Isaiah 40:8 So consider the following
