amazon.com/dp/167281233X My spiritual journey. I will always love this story. Maybe it will inspire you.

bible.com/bible/1713/psa.136… I noticed about Psalm 136 this morning is that God‘s power and his love are intertwined. The Psalmist celebrates the love of God for mighty things done in creation. #Hisfaithfulloveenduresforever

In John 6, Jesus confronts the crowds who have been following him with that truth. He says, in summary, "You are pursuing me out of a selfish motive, in the hopes that I will meet your physical needs. You're excited about me, but for the wrong reasons." But our Savior is a Savior, not a genie. Life today can be good. It's not wrong to have physical blessings shower down on you, nor is it sinful to desire comfort. Are you following King Christ because you hope he'll deliver you the good life? Are you asking him to only provide you with blessings in the here and now? Let's open our ears and listen to how we speak, aloud and internally. May what we hear convict us and mold us more into the likeness of Christ!

This is absolutely brilliant. ♥️ 🎶🎻

RT @DianeLangberg: Every time we treat someone with dignity rather than shame, respect rather than disregard, concern rather than exploitat…

When I'm with someone, there's one question I try to ask (internally) before I open my mouth: "Lord, what do you want this person to see or know about you in the current situation, location, or relationship of life where you have placed them? That's our mission in conversation: how can I be used to accurately and beautifully depict Christ in the specific context of another person's life?

Happy Reformation Day! #OTD October 31, 1517: Martin Luther posts his Ninety-Five Theses on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, challenging the sale of indulgences and calling for debate. The document spreads rapidly, sparking the Protestant Reformation and renewing the church's commitment to the truth that salvation comes by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone (Sola Gratia, Sola Fide, Solus Christus), according to Scripture alone (Sola Scriptura), to the glory of God alone (Soli Deo Gloria).

Preach the gospel at all times. If necessary, use a hammer and nail. #ReformationDay

Happy Reformation Day!

When I was a boy, my mother told me to never forget these words. More than 50 years later, clearly I haven't: "There isn't anything that comes out of the mouth of a drunk that wasn't there in the first place." We were at a family reunion, and an uncle had consumed too much alcohol and began saying sexually perverse things. Knowing the excuses that would follow, my mom took the opportunity to disciple us with street-level theology by sharing what the Lord said: "The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” (Luke 6:45, ESV) This may be difficult to accept, and it will require a humble and honest examination: You and I are more like my uncle than unlike him. Maybe we have a little more decency and don't get drunk and speak perversion in public, but we do share three things in common: Our hearts are not completely free from evil We speak evil more regularly than we think We blame that evil speech on outside triggers (annoying people, stressful situations, alcoholic beverages, etc) Have you ever said, "I didn't mean what I said" after realizing you said something ungodly? The more biblical response would be to say, "Please forgive me for saying what I meant!" You see, if we are going to understand our trouble with words and find a solution, we must begin with the heart. What we say with our loose lips reveals what we desire with our sinful hearts. James 4:1 summarizes it best: "What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?" Friends, it would be much easier to pick up a book entitled "101 Ways To Fix Your Talk," filled with strategies and techniques to help select and implement the right vocabulary. But that wouldn't solve any root issues. That's why God wrote a better Book. It's the only Book that provides ultimate hope and lasting change. James says in this book, "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil ... Purify your hearts." (4:7-8) The gospel promises nothing less than a new heart, one that is no longer enslaved to the passions and desires of the sinful nature. And with that new heart comes good treasure, from which better words come.

“Grace that makes sin seem trivial is not true grace. No sin is small that crucified Christ.”-@randyalcorn

Makes all the difference.

“Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports.” --- from George Washington's farewell address

If theology didn’t matter, the Bible wouldn’t be filled with it.

Pastor @CliffLea provided the best explanation for 1 Pet 4:6 "..the Good News was preached to those who are now dead.." Made sense to me. Gospel was preached some 30 years prior to some who were saved then, but they are now dead. Thx Pastor Cliff!

"Sin always hides the price tag." @CliffLea from Sunday's sermon.

One reason to believe Christianity is true is that no one could have thought it up.

Looks like we seniors will be getting $90 checks from the government. Remember March 2020 when we got $1200 each? If you truly don't need it, consider giving it to someone who does need it. It might become a new habit!

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8 With so much changing so rapidly, doesn't this bring comfort?

There are no obstacles between you and the Son which can be overcome by praying to the Lady of Lourdes. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, — 1 Timothy 2:5 Jesus is the only mediator and inserting other mediators, no matter how matronly they seem, is an affront to the person and work of Jesus. It fabricates obstacles between you and Jesus that diminish your awareness of the incarnation and sacrifice of Jesus. Draw near through Jesus. Come to Father through Jesus. No one loves you more. No one is more accessible or able to intercede for you better. Come in Jesus’ name, not in the name of another who you hope will accept you more quickly than Jesus and incline Christ’s heart toward you. He’s already told you “come to me you who are weary and heavy laden.”

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought! My sin, not in part but the whole Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, o my soul!