There can be a tendency to view holiness by our business. If we are busy learning, doing, serving, etc. then we are are just like Jesus. But, is this true? Or is this simply a "can do" attitude, a "pull yourself up by your bootstraps" focus that is then imported onto the Christian faith? Meditation, … Continue reading Don’t Forget to Slow Down
We Were Made For Relationship
It wasn’t good? In Genesis 2, we have strange language. We have repeated language in Genesis 1 about things being good, and then in Genesis 2:18, we have the phrase "it is not good." This change should give us pause. The difference between the language here and the language in the first chapter is profound. … Continue reading We Were Made For Relationship
The Life of a Growing Christian
Read Psalm 1 Christians Are Already Blessed In Christ From the language in Psalm 1, it becomes clear that Jesus is the blessed one. This Psalm points forward to one who is to come. The grammar requires full obedience, something we could never do. In light of Jesus being the blessed one, we need to … Continue reading The Life of a Growing Christian
Last Youth Group Lesson Before Corona
A Hope-Filled Kingdom Psalm 72 Youth Group - Spring 2020 We have discussed various types of Psalms so far. Some of them are clear because of their structure - like Lament and Praise Psalms, and others are distinguished because of their content - like wisdom and royal Psalms. Tonight we are going to look at … Continue reading Last Youth Group Lesson Before Corona
God Knows You and Is With You
Psalm 139:1-12 To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. 1 O Lord, you have searched me and known me! 2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. 3 You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. 4 … Continue reading God Knows You and Is With You
No, Your Pastor Didn’t Turn Into a TV Preacher
Things often don't go as planned. I wanted to have a blog to encourage people. To comfort and challenge them spiritually during this uncertain time. The plan was simple, write new posts, and use excerpts from old material. By doing it this way, I could push out a lot of content that had been researched … Continue reading No, Your Pastor Didn’t Turn Into a TV Preacher
A Grounded Love – Part 2
Psalm 116 12 What shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits to me? 13 I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord, 14 I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people. 15 Precious in the sight of … Continue reading A Grounded Love – Part 2
A Grounded Love
Psalm 116:1-11 I love the Lord, because he has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy. 2 Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live. 3 The snares of death encompassed me; the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me; I suffered distress and … Continue reading A Grounded Love
God Created You
Psalm 139:13-16 13 For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. 14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. 15 My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven … Continue reading God Created You
They’re Watching
Ongoing Impact Just this morning, my son was watching cartoons. Something must have happened with a cat because he turned to me and said: "that's why you should never get a cat, right dad?" Full disclosure, we are not a cat family. My wife and daughter are both allergic, and even if they weren't, seriously, … Continue reading They’re Watching
Boonstra Babble 