How often do we examine the roots of our values? Why do we really care about the things we care about? How did we decide what our vision for the Good Life is? Christians in Pergamum had the same problem we do – they assumed the values of their culture were compatible with Jesus’ vision for their lives. Jesus warns them – and us – that’s not the case. How can we know what Jesus wants for us?
Continue readingChristians have always had a reputation for being a little weird. But how exactly are we supposed to be different from the culture around us? And what does that cost us?
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If we think about it for a minute or two, we realize church isn’t a building, but an organization. But what kind of organization? The Church is a body of ministers, a whole group of servants. How does that work? And what does it look like when we do it well?
Continue readingTradition often gets a bad rap – especially in the church. But Paul’s letter to the Corinthian church insists that three virtues are eternal – they’re traditions that should characterize us all, for all time. How do faith, hope and love mark us as God’s people and shape how we live in the world?
Continue readingWhat does it mean to get saved? It’s more than just a one-time experience. Salvation is a process that’s on-going, one where we’re learning how to live as God’s children. What does that process look like? How can we be sure we’re “working out our salvation”?
Continue readingWhat does it mean to be #blessed? We have a sense that it’s not material prosperity, but it’s hard to put our finger on exactly what it IS. Jesus shows us that blessing is about experiencing God’s presence, a presence available to us regardless of what we do. God shows us grace – being with us whether we deserve God’s presence or not!
Continue readingIs God angry at us? Did Jesus pacify a raging deity? Why did God kill his son rather than us? This week, we’re diving into God’s Wrath and the Atonement because we’ve got it all wrong. God’s wrath is about love (yes, really) and the cross isn’t about Jesus vs God, but Jesus vs. us.
Continue readingJesus claims to be God, but so have a lot of people throughout history. What sets Jesus apart? What proves he is God? It’s not his miracles, or his birth. It’s his death that proves what kind of God he is.
Continue readingWho is God? The vast majority of Americans say they believe in God, but that word is so generic, it doesn’t actually tell us very much. That’s why the Church holds the doctrine of the Trinity as a core doctrine – Trinity tells us who God is – and what that means for us.
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It’s time for resolutions! Wouldn’t it be amazing if we could summon a montage and instantly become great at that thing we’ve resolved to do in the new year? Unfortunately, spiritual formation isn’t the work of a moment. Simeon’s encounter with Jesus illustrates for us why remaining committed to spiritual formation is a worthy task, and a good reminder as we enter this new year!
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