Making the Most of Every Opportunity

Some things in life have felt impossible to me lately. Like having all our needs met. Being able to own a home. Healing my sick baby. So as things feel impossible, I'm fighting the feelings by remembering just how possible everything is through Christ. What was impossible??? It was impossible for death to keep hold of Him. THAT is what's impossible. Everything else seems so very possible to me when I hang on this truth. Jesus who beat death now gives his own salvation and every good thing. Amazing! "But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him" Wow! It was impossible for death to keep its hold on Him. Amen:) I love this JC Ryle reflection on Christ's suffering and resurrection: "We must not be content with a vague belief that Christ’s sufferings on the cross were vicarious.  We are intended to see this truth in every part of His passion.  We may follow Him all through...

I LOVE this post by Dane Ortlund about reading the Old Testament. Check it out here . Here's a glimpse: What are other ways we might read the Bible? The Gold Mine Approach  – reading the Bible as a vast, cavernous, dark mine, in which one occasionally stumbles upon a nugget of inspiration. Result: confused reading.  The Hero Approach  – reading the Bible as a moral hall of fame that gives us one example after another of heroic spiritual giants to emulate. Result: despairing reading.  The Rules Approach  – reading the Bible on the lookout for commands to obey to subtly reinforce a sense of personal superiority. Result: Pharisaical reading.  The Artifact Approach  – reading the Bible as an ancient document about events in the Middle East a few thousand years ago that are irrelevant to my life today. Result: bored reading.  The Guidebook Approach  – reading the Bible as a roadmap to tell me where to work, whom to marry, and what shampo...

Here's a roundup of some of my thoughts I've posted in the past on Easter . Follow the Easter link to see posts on: - our traditions to teach our kids and stay our hearts (including a playdough tomb , resurrection eggs , and a empty/full basket switch ) -good books/dvds - a link to the Lenton Lights devotional we use -my thoughts as I reflected on my sin , Christ's suffering ,  death , and His resurrection

I'm not sure if this post is me processing, confessing, or just sharing things I'm learning. Please forgive the awkward writing style that reflects the confusion. Today I was in Luke 8. I've been praying and processing through some circumstances and my heart in them. As I read Jesus calming the storm, I was struck by 2 things: 1- there was real danger. Luke didn't say it was perceived that the storm was sinking the boat. He says the boat was filling and the disciples were in danger and they knew it. That's how I've been feeling. One circumstance I often grapple through is our finances. We aren't in trouble, but our daily needs are met through churches and individuals that give to our ministry, and at times, they give less than they committed to. Some even have to stop giving for various reasons and seasons which means we need to leave the studio to go meet with more churches and individuals. Since we set our salary based on needs, I'm always trying to...

I've been sharing some of my thoughts on Jesus' command for us in Matthew 28. I've looked at the promise , the call to go , making disciples , and baptism . Today, I'll share my thoughts on teaching: And Jesus came and said to them,   “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.   Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,   teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you . And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Ah... teaching. There is value in bringing people in our lives to hear the Word preached at church and sending them to conferences or websites of national teachers. We are certainly not all gifted teachers. BUT- Jesus called all of us to teach, not just the gifted. He didn't challenge us to do anything more than teach them to observe all that He commanded us. Teach them wha...

I've been going through Jesus' command for us in Matthew 28 and shared first the promise as we obey, then that it starts when we go and engage others, and that discipleship involves pouring Christ through pouring our our lives into others over time. Today, I'll look at baptizing: And Jesus came and said to them,   “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.   Go therefore and make disciples of all nations,  baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit ,   teaching them to observe all that  have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” There's an obvious application here- physical baptism. It's an incredible joy to see someone you love receive Christ's salvation. Water baptism is a public profession of that faith and a tangible showing of their death to sin and life in Christ. Sweet memory- My first 'disciples b...