Category: Life

Too many of us believe that life is supposed to be easy. We are surprised when it turns out to be hard and difficult. When bad things happen we are taken aback and we can't figure out why "bad things happen to good people." The sad reality of living in a world that is broken and marred by sin is that bad things do happen. There is trouble, there is pain, there is sadness. We live in a state of entropy. There is randomness and a decline into disorder. Because of this there will be trouble. I am grateful that the Scriptures do not sugar coat this life. They point us to reality and if we listen will be better prepared for when the heartbreak and sadness comes. Paul writes, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation, who consoles us in all our affliction, so that we may be...

Some words mean more than others. They point us to a truth or depth that is beyond what the words mean on the surface. "Lord Stanley's Cup" means something so profound to many people that they get a chill just thinking about it. I remember the first time that I was in the presence of "The Cup" and I stood there wondering if I should even touch it. It was awesome. In the Bible we learn that the name of God is "I AM." This little phrase was so significant that many tried to avoid using that construction in reference to themselves. Then Jesus comes along and embraces it as his own. In the gospel of John, Jesus self-identifies as "I AM" seven times. I am the bread of life. John 6:35 I am the light of the world. John 8:12 I am the gate the for the sheep. John 10:7 I am the good shepherd. John 10:11 I am the resurrection and the life. John 11:25 I am the...

Life is hard. Fact. We have seasons of life being "easy," but by and large, life is hard. Why? Because the reality is that we live in a world that is broken. It's a marvelous and beautiful world, but there is brokenness everywhere. In Christianity, we call this "sin." Because humanity has set aside it's identity as image bearer of the Creator we experience sin and brokenness. We were made for Eden. Deep down in the core of our being we are drawn to the beautiful and the good because that is who we are. Yet, as a result of our choosing idolatry and self over the worship of God, this world, within which we live, is no longer perfect. We long for a better world. In the face of struggle, strife, and toil it would be easy to lose heart. The Apostle Paul wrote, "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by...

How do we live the Christian life? What does it mean for us to be the "Church"? How do we experience continued spiritual growth? Jesus said this, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:5)." The stark reality for the Christian is that to live the Christian life we must stay deeply connected to Jesus. He uses this beautiful picture of the vine and the branches to paint this picture for us. Every spring I prune my landscaping. I cut back the branches. I cut down the old growth from the previous year that has withered over the winter. When I'm finished the landscape looks a bit empty. Yet, something amazing happens. In a few days there is new growth and it happens fast. The branches that have been removed dry out over night and become useless. We as people are just like...

I was walking along the sidewalk wrestling with my future and verbally processing, which is often the case. My friend Matt, the strong silent type, was walking alongside me. I rambled on and on about ideas for going to seminary and maybe becoming a pastor. He listened and asked questions. After weeks of this he finally let out a sigh and asked one final question, "Bro, what are you afraid of? You keep talking about this stuff but that's all you've been doing, talking. What are you afraid of? What are you afraid of happening if you go to seminary?" I don't really remember what I said in that moment. I do remember the feeling though. It was that feeling of someone seeing right through you. When you are called out so clearly and with such intensity that you can't help but come up short. My "wrestling with God" was more about my desire to avoid pain than it was about seeking...