It’s easy to read stories about the great Old Testament characters in a way that doesn’t really connect with my world – after all these amazing things happened over 2,000 years ago.  That is a big mistake.  The story we’re going to visit today is your story – it is my story.  The story of Abraham’s call to sacrifice his son is the same call we have on our lives – the very same call.  God is calling each of us to a relationship, a faith, that gives him everything. Read the rest of this entry »

James 5:13-20, “publicly confessing sin” [Listen]

Our culture today is desperately looking for real meaning, purpose, hope and relationship. This is GOOD NEWS for us here today – we have that to share. We have that to share in the person of Jesus and we should have that to share in our fellowship. God’s design is that we live meaning, purpose, hope and relationship! The problem is that much of what passes for Christianity today is nothing more than a different version of the world’s priorities and values. In the end it’s about the money, it’s about the “club”, it’s about self – how can we spin the Bible so that we can live for this world’s priorities and still talk like my loyalty is to Jesus and the Kingdom. Read the rest of this entry »

I “pulled” this from The Purple Cellar (a blog for Christian women zealous for God’s glory)

1) God ordained everything that happened to him for a loving purpose (Eph. 2:10).

2) His real life wasn’t here on this earth. It was with Christ in God’s kingdom (Phil 3:20).

3) Every weakness was an opportunity to experience Christ’s strength (2 Cor. 12:9).

4) Every loss was an opportunity to know God’s comfort (2 Cor. 1:4).

5) Death was okay because it meant being in Christ’s presence (Phil 1:21).

6) All his bad stuff was working together for his good (Rom. 8:28).

7) His deprivations were opportunities to receive love and provision from fellow believers (1 Thess. 1:2-3).

8) Sin had less and less power to enslave him (Rom. 7:24-25).

9) Anxiety just wasn’t necessary (Phil. 4:6-7).

10) He was part of a family that would never abandon him (Rom. 8:15).

Tullian Tchividjian shares his thoughts on books to read for those who want to grow. These are books that all should read.

Christian Basics by John Stott

Do I Know God? by (I’m almost ashamed to say it but here it goes) Tullian Tchividjian

The Holiness of God by R.C. Sproul

Knowing God by J.I. Packer

The Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges

The Contemporary Christian by John Stott

Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis

Designed for Dignity by Richard Pratt

Living the Cross-Centered Life by C.J. Mahaney

Engaging God’s World by Cornelius Plantinga

Total Truth by Nancy Pearcey

Desiring God by John Piper