I’m In Him…Selfless Serving

It was a Thursday and I was gearing up for an insane weekend. I texted some friends of mine, making sure they had a babysitter for Sunday night. I was sure they did, I just wanted to do the polite thing and make sure. They replied with a no, they did not have a babysitter. …

Preeminent Over All

Col. 1:15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all …

Hope For Sin

When I heard the question, I cringed. It was the Sunday morning sermon, dad was preaching, and his first question was, “Do You Avoid Sin?” (sermon on 1Jn. 1:5-2:2) I hate these type of questions. First, because I’d much rather be blissfully unaware of my sin. Second, who really wants to be convicted and confess …

The Dying Shepherd

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” Jn. 10:11 When Jesus had r.eceived the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. Jn. 19:30, Jesus is my shepherd. He carefully, intimately, and sovereignly cares for my soul and …

Do I Delight?

Pastor & songwriter, Pat Sczebel,spoke at our church this past Sunday. Pat is close friends with my boss and it was a joy to have him at SGC for the weekend. His sermon text was Psalm 84. It was an incredible sermon that left me thinking…Do I delight in God’s presence? Do I yearn, long, …

Words Matter

“The sheer number of words we speak, has a numbing affect on our souls…Every word matters…Are you assigning the same  importance to  words that Scripture assigns to them?” –C.J. Mahaney On Sunday morning, my local church had the privilege of hearing C.J. Mahaney preach. His sermon was titled “Encourage”. He taught from one very powerful …

Children of God

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying “Abba! Father!” …

Notes from Sunday’s Sermon

I do not typically put my notes on my blog. But, this Sunday’s sermon was killer, it was too good to not share… Be Joyful (vs. 4) be glad, attitude of joy in spite of persecution Be Reasonable (vs. 5a) no priority of personal right, fairness, humility, meekness, putting others ahead, patient, steadfastness, winsomeness Be …

Warning Signs

“Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh….” Philippians 3:2-3 “A ‘safe’ life of joy is in knowing Christ…Don’t find safety …

God Loves To Be A Slave, Do I?

There are things I just do not like to do. There is no good reason for my dislike, but please don’t ask me to do them. Logic doesn’t enter into the picture when it comes to jobs and serving (but should it?). I do not like to take out the trash. I do not like …

Anxiety: Anything & Everything

I attended the Sovereign Grace Church in Apex, NC, this Sunday. Mickey Conolly spoke on Anxiety from Philippians 4:6-7. …do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts …

True Worship Is About God

This Sunday’s sermon was on worship. Matt hit it out of the park! As I was reviewing the sermon, I was having a hard time focusing on one thing and applying it. Not because I’m amazing and godly (ha!), but because there were so many things to apply. So many ways that you could take …

What Is Your IFF?

IFF stands for, “Identification, friend or foe.” It is…“a cryptographic identification system designed for command and control. It is a system that enables military, and national (civilian-located ATC) interrogation systems to distinguish friendly aircraft, vehicles, or forces, and to determine their bearing and range from the interrogator.” Soldiers on the ground wear IFF transmitters in …

Difficult Love

1 Thessalonians 2:17 But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face, 18 because we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again—but Satan hindered us. 19 For what is …

Love Is The Result

Where God is the focus, love is the result. –Jim Britt God has to be the focus. Not my own reputation, comfort, or my own solutions. I cannot love others, if I do not first love God. If I love God, than I will be enamored with Him. And if I am enamored with Him, …