Scripture: 1 Peter 1:2, 13-25 2 God the Father chose you because of what he knew beforehand. He chose you through the Holy Spirit’s work of making you holy and because of the faithful obedience and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. May God’s grace and peace be multiplied to you. 13 Therefore, once you have your minds ready... Continue Reading →
The Gift of χάρις (Grace)
Scripture: Romans 3:21-31 21 But now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been disclosed and is attested by the Law and the Prophets, 22 the righteousness of God through the faith of Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction, 23 since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of... Continue Reading →
Controlling Desires
Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:2b-16 Teach and urge these duties. 3 Whoever teaches otherwise and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that is in accordance with godliness 4 is conceited, understanding nothing, and has a morbid craving for controversy and for disputes about words. From these come envy, dissension,... Continue Reading →
A Fast for Justice
As I usually do in the run up to Ash Wednesday and Lent, I have been thinking about fasting and the purpose behind fasting. As I was meditating on Lenten practices I thought about how many people will give up things like chocolate, coffee, or social media for Lent. I do not want to discourage... Continue Reading →
Being Honest
Scripture: Ephesians 4:25-32 25 So then, putting away falsehood, let each of you speak the truth with your neighbor, for we are members of one another. 26 Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and do not make room for the devil. 28 Those who steal must give up... Continue Reading →
Are We Thieves?
Scripture: Romans 2:17-29 17 What about you? You call yourself a Jew. You trust in the law of Moses and brag that you are close to God. 18 You know what God wants you to do. And you know the things that are important because you have learned the law. 19 You think you are a guide for... Continue Reading →
Bringing Honor
Scripture: Matthew 15:1-9 Then Pharisees and legal experts came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, 2 “Why are your disciples breaking the elders’ rules handed down to us? They don’t ritually purify their hands by washing before they eat.” 3 Jesus replied, “Why do you break the command of God by keeping the rules handed down to... Continue Reading →
Text for the Week: Committing to Relationships
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:1-11 When someone in your assembly has a legal case against another member, do they dare to take it to court to be judged by people who aren’t just, instead of by God’s people? 2 Or don’t you know that God’s people will judge the world? If the world is to be judged... Continue Reading →
Text for the Week: Endorsing Life
Scripture: 1 John 3:11-18 11 This is the message you have heard from the beginning: Love one another. 12 Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the Evil One and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own works were evil, while those of his brother were righteous. 13 Do not be surprised,... Continue Reading →
Was There Only Room for Noah?
Meme theology is often so bad, and while I post my fair share of memes to social media (some might think I post too many) I try to stay in three categories: comic, Scripture, solid quotes. But memes that try to simplify theological statements like this often prove to simply be ignorant or false (this... Continue Reading →
Squinting in the Light 