Archive for Blog

New Creatures

Either the old you has passed away, or it has not.

What comes to your mind when you think of the glory of God? His great works? His excellencies and perfections? His revelation of Himself in Jesus Christ? Certainly, God’s glory is displayed in these ways. But that is not all that the Bible means when it speaks of the glory of God.
The Old Testament word [...]

Cows, Totem Poles, and Narcissism

When people love themselves above all else, they prize their own will and desires above all else. That will manifest itself as simple, greedy materialism or as prideful self-edification or as seemingly honorable devotion to one’s spouse/family above all else (including God) or as a thousand other things. When we decide that what we want is more important than what God wants, we create idols. To God, this is no different than molding gold into the shape of a cow or carving a statue from wood and bowing before it in worship.

Where the Heart is

Materialistic idols are bad and they keep us from pursuing the deep riches of a committed life to Christ. My desire is to proclaim truth so that people can experience a life full of worship and devotion to our King.

Portrait of a Lady

God leaves His imprint on women. This imprint is one of a nurturing, gentle, and compassionate heart. Our mothers also leave lasting impressions on us. Having recently become a mother to a daughter, I have realized that it is my responsibility to model to our daughter what it is like to be a godly woman. The thought of being a model for my daughter is both frightening and thrilling. I pray that God gives me wisdom, patience and discernment to accomplish this sacred task.

We Are Called to be Active Apostles

All Christians in every generation are called to bring the good news of the kingdom into a spiritual encounter with the aspirations and challenges of that culture where it resides. Believers are on a mission from God. To engage today’s world with the good news requires the formation of a gospel community – the church of Jesus Christ – to be a visible representation, witness and instrument of the sovereign outreaching hand of God in our culture. For many Christians this may require a new vision, new ways of thinking, and new patterns of behavior (different styles of worship, life groups, etc.).

How Sewing Can Change Your life

This past Sunday night, we started knitting, or shall I say, God started knitting. Not to think poorly of what had taken place at the Journey up until now, but the beginning of our Life Groups signifies the beginning of real depth in relationships at the Journey. It signifies the beginning of really knowing each other. Not just knowing about each other, but knowing each other like we know family.

The God of Anger

You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him.

How Your Insecurities Can Hurt Others

In the Breaking Free from Insecurity message in two parts, I did not mention one of the most serious effects of insecurity that leaks out on others. It takes place when our insecurities cause us to tear someone else down so that we feel better about us. This is the presentation problem at least. People [...]

Is Jesus Boring?

As a pastor… no as a Christian, there is nothing that excites me more than to think about the salvation that has been graciously afforded me through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior. It is the standard by which all other joys are measured with none surpassing. It doesn’t require much prodding for me to reflect upon the true sense of happiness that accompanies the thought of knowing Christ chose to pay the debt for my sins, saving me from condemnation and hell.

What is Insecurity Really?

Insecurity stems from placing belief in yourself and your own abilities when that faith should be placed in God. What is insecurity but doubt in your own abilities and skills? If you stood on the promises of the unchanging Architect and Sustainer of the universe, how could you justify this kind of worry? [...]

In Lust We Trust or In Lust We Bust?

Unfortunately this image displayed above says a lot about our society today both within and outside the church. Lust is a stronghold that sees its way into most relationships as a normal course of action. Our cultures policy is everything is alright as long as I have permission from my significant other, or it [...]

Little Pharaohs

But here’s the problem: each of us in our hearts has a little Pharaoh who says “I won’t let go of my sin.” Each of us has a little Israelite who says, I want to go back and be a slave to sin because it’s so much fun. The Israelites wanted to go back to Egypt and be slaves for pizza and beer.

Community is a Biblical Theme

Community is a theme that runs throughout scripture. God has always been calling out a people for Himself, beginning with Israel and continuing with the church. Even when the Jews were dispersed among enemy nations during times of captivity, they organized themselves into groups and ultimately formed synagogues (Jewish communities of worship and teaching) where [...]

Which Kingdom Comes?

Wherever there is idolatry, there is a false god, and so a false religion arises, and the devotees of that false religion are working to bring about the kingdom of that god.

Taxes a Grace Gift

This is the time of the year when people are either groaning the loudest because they didn’t pay enough taxes in or squealing with surprise and excitement cause they got a good chunk of change back. I want to encourage everyone to recognize something about this time of the year, and the refunds some of [...]

A Legacy of Faith

Sometimes we move through our lives with such a fluid motion that we fail to realize the significant contributions that others make to our spiritual and emotional development.
This past Sunday at the Journey, we slowed down to take a look at the contributions that have been made by a group of people who are [...]

The Soul in Despair

Psalm 43 – (5) Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.
The despair of the soul is hard to put into words. The fact is, that the soul may be in despair [...]

Thankful for…

When I think of giving thanks this year, one theme dominates my mind. My new family at the Journey causes emotions to swell inside my chest. I do not deserve the opportunity and privilege of leading you, but God has chosen, nontheless, to saddle you with a leader like me,.
The Journey began as a dream [...]

When only Christ will Do

Psalm 42 – (1) As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants for You, O God. (2) My soul thirsts for God, for the living God; when shall I come and appear before God?
Can you say this? I guess I mean more than if you are able to verbalize it. Do you identify [...]