The Gospel and the "Other"

The Apostle Peter was reluctant to believe that God had the same regard for believers who differed in race or ethnicity. (Acts 10) God provided a unique vision to Peter and then demonstrated how loved the "others" are. As Christians, we are called to understand this and embrace and support those who do not look like us. How are you carrying the good news to those who seem "other?"

Are you guilty?

One of the cornerstones of the Christian faith is the acknowledgement of our wrong-doing. Psalm 41 gives us an excellent example. The Psalmist admits his sin and seeks God's forgiveness. Until we admit our wrong-doing, we cannot expect forgiveness. What wrongs are you willing to own?

God's judgement is OK, as long as it's not on me...

While it's easy to understand, accept, and even embrace the mercy of God, we often stumble at His judgement - until we are affronted by sin that is so out alignment with our values that we cry out to God ask Him why has He not yet judged the perpetrators. Passages such as Revelation 6, remind us that God will send punishment, such as the four horsemen, but even in this, there is His mercy.

Pslam 42

 Even Jesus felt the loneliness of God's distance, as demonstrated by his words on the cross (Matt 27:46).  When we feel like God has abandoned us, Psalm 42 gives us words to express our pain. How have you felt abandoned by God, and have you been able to pray something as honest as Psalm 42 in those times? While we don't know why God is sometimes distant, we do know that we can trust He will return.

Memorial Day 2020

This year we recognize the sacrifice our front-line medical and other essential workers have made. By stepping into situations that could compromise their health, or result in death, these heroes join the ranks of police, fire-fighters, military, and all the others who willing put themselves in harm's way for us. John 15:13. How can you best honor our living heroes, before they paid the ultimate price? 

He knows you, do you know HIM?

Most people who believe in God, believe that he already knows all about us. What might be surprised that God invites us to know Him too. In Psalm 86, David declares how good God is, based on David's personal experiences with and on the written history about God. Is it possible that your history is actually God revealing himself to you? Can you compare your story with the story of God's people in the Bible?

God knows your name

We consider it a great honor when someone we think highly of knows us by name. In Exodus 3, God calls Moses with a miraculous sign (a bush on fire but not burnt) - but maybe more significant than the miracle of the burning bush, was that God knew Moses by name. The gospel is that God knows you by name, He knows everything about you and He loves you.