Colossians 1:13-14 Out of the pit

We were (still are) wallowing in the pit–repeatedly sinning with no possibility of perfection or purpose. But the beauty of it is, our God loved us enough to bring about the most glorious and important intervention. God himself (through the person of his Son) paid the penalty for the sins of any and all who… Read More

Sometimes worship resembles a pep rally

What does praise look like? I think it has many different faces, sounds, moods. No matter what style, praise always comes first. Praising first in any situation helps us to focus on the one who is in charge, who has the strength to overcome, and who loves us and shares his strength with us. Many times… Read More

Philippians 4:11-14 What does it take?

Do my circumstances determine my level of contentment? Or can I say, with Paul, that where I am, what I have, my state of health, … none of that really matters because God is with me? I can be on the mountain top or deep in the mucky shadows; I can experience feast or famine;… Read More

Philippians 2:17-18 Joy in adversity

I was reading Psalm 11 this morning and was struck by these words: “But the Lord is in his holy Temple; the Lord still rules from heaven.” David says this after he explains how everyone is telling him to run away so he won’t be blindsided, injured, or even killed because the foundations of law… Read More