'Christian' Tagged Posts
You Don’t Clean Up Before a Shower
We don’t wash our hands before washing our hands. We don’t scrub the dirt off before stepping into the shower. We bring the mess with us—that’s the point. Too often, people think baptism is for those who have “got it all together.” They feel they need to stop sinning, clean themselves up, prove they’re good enough, and then step into the water. But that’s not what Scripture teaches. Romans 6:4 says, “We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into How COVID has affected us
The Power and Practice of Prayer
Have you ever felt like your prayers were bouncing off the ceiling? Maybe you’ve wondered if God was really listening, or if your words are even making a difference. Prayer is not just a religious thing you do—it’s a living, ongoing conversation with God. It’s how we bring our joys, struggles, and questions before Him, and how we hear His heart for us in return. The Bible gives us a clear foundation for prayer. Paul tells us, “Do not be anxious How COVID has affected us
“Say cheese”
When was the last time you took a “selfie?” Here are some “selfie” statistics: I am someone who enjoys a picture much more when someone I know is in the picture. I want to see what they are doing, not necessarily where they are. In a meeting just today, one of our staff members mentioned their daughter noticed how many “worship” songs we sing are about us and what God will do for us. That sounds somewhat like a musical How COVID has affected us
Tell The Story Anyway
There’s a strange tension that comes with sharing your story, especially the messy parts. Maybe you’ve felt it. That little voice that says, “No one needs to hear this.” Or worse, “If they knew, they’d walk away.” But the truth is, your story – your testimony – might be the very thing God wants to use to reach someone who’s hanging on by a thread. “They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of How COVID has affected us
Only God Knows
Israel has been in the news as it defends itself against outside forces. First, there was the attack from Hamas in 2023. And recently, Iran has decided to retaliate against Israel for the destruction Israel caused. Many see these attacks against Israel as signs that the end of the world is coming. Passages in Zechariah, Ezekiel, and Revelation are being used as Biblical proof that “Armageddon” is about to take place. I try not to feed into those beliefs, nor How COVID has affected us
The Catholic Pope
There is a new Pope of the Catholic Church. After the death of Pope Francis, a Conclave (or closed-door) was held to elect a new Pope. This practice was established in 1274 by a Pope who saw his election take 3 years and decided changes should be made. When a Pope is elected by 2/3rd’s majority of the Cardinals chosen by the previous Popes, he is asked whether he accepts the position. If he answers in the affirmative, he goes off to a quiet How COVID has affected us
Resurrection and the Life
This weekend, we celebrate the most important holiday in the history of Christendom. Easter. Or as some prefer to call it, Resurrection Sunday. This is the day we recognize that Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, rose from the borrowed tomb, conquering death, thwarting Satan’s plan, and ushering in a New Covenant and way to come to God. Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father except through me.” Even more directly, How COVID has affected us
Stoke the Flame
Do you remember when you felt God first working on your heart, convicting and letting you know how much He loves you? Maybe it was at church camp, VBS, CIY, De Colores, an Emmaeus walk, a random Sunday morning, or a walk you took in the woods. And you responded by surrendering your life to Him and becoming a Christian. The first days and weeks of our new faith walk are exciting. We are on fire! Which is ironic because How COVID has affected us
From Ink to iPhone: How Bible Study Evolved from Margins to Screens
Growing up, I remember my Youth Minister encouraging me to take notes on the sermon when I went to church. I would take my NIV Bible on Sunday mornings and underline significant passages in it and jot down points on my notepad with a pen. It was quite a paradigm shift to write in my Bible, but I was assured it was okay. Fast forward a few decades, and today I use a Bible app on my Apple iPhone X (Bible app How COVID has affected us
Don’t Wait for your Heart Attack to get Started
I had the pleasure of hanging out with some college friends last weekend. There were five of us and we rented a house in Nashville, IN. A beautiful part of Indiana with an awesome coffee shop. (Or so I’m told. I don’t drink coffee. But the owners are a nice Christian couple brewing “Julian’s Coffee,” another nice Christian man.) Anyway, one of my friends lives in Nashville, TN (not to be mistaken for Nashville as mentioned earlier). My friend was working out one day a few years How COVID has affected us