Look UpRecently I was out running late one afternoon. It had been a rough day, and I was probably plodding more than running. Face down, discouraged, simply going through the motions, trying to keep putting one foot in front of the other. Out of nowhere the thought went through my head “Look up!” As Iooked up I was immediately taken aback by the jaw-dropping sunset above my head. I assume it had b...  Read More

Qualifications of an ElderWith the exception of the qualification that elders be able to teach God’s word, all of the other qualifications can be found at different places in the Bible as characteristics that all followers of Christ are encouraged to be characterized by. Spend some time this week reading over the list of qualifications handed out in Sunday’s worship guide (or click HERE to view on...  Read More

A Practice of Racial ReconciliationI learn best by reading, but I also realize there are many people who learn in other ways. So, although I read a ton of things to prepare for my sermons on racial reconciliation, I have only listed below some of the things that I watched or listened to in my preparation. All of the sermons, interviews, podcasts, talks, etc. listed below helped me in some way, sha...  Read More

A Theology of Racial ReconciliationWhen tackling an issue like racial reconciliation, which carries with it a number of perspectives and considerations on a human level, it is helpful for me to go back and try to identify what is known and unchanging from God’s word. As I attempted to do this in my study for this sermon, I found a great comfort in realizing that the Lord was thinking about race an...  Read More

Remember That God RemembersIn Psalm 78 we are provided a recounting of Israel’s history with God: despite their faithlessness, God was faithful, and the psalm stresses again and again the importance of remembering this. In reading this psalm recently one phrase from v.39 struck me with great force: “He remembered that they were but flesh.” Though divine discipline was needed at times, God never ab...  Read More

Sermon SynopsisII Corinthians 1:3-7Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians contains a plethora of verses for us during seasons of suffering. Time after time in this letter, Paul encourages the struggling Corinthians by reminding them of what Christ has accomplished on their behalf through his death and resurrection. The following is my top ten list of truths from 2 Corinthians, with the chapter an...  Read More