Blog (Page 21)
Day 10: No Pain, No Gain
James 1:2-4 We all avoid painful situations. Things that hurt, that make us uncomfortable, that cause us to struggle. We when see a potentially trying situation coming at us, we run, avoid, and do just about anything we can to protect ourselves. It’s human nature, really. But what if there’s something significant in those painful situations we avoid and dread? James seems to think so. He tells us in this passage not only to not avoid or protect ourselves from…
Day 9: Famous Goodbyes
Casablanca, The Breakfast Club, Titanic – a famous goodbye scene is what turns a movie into a classic. The final farewell is where all the emotion of the main characters’ journey together comes to a climax and us, the audience, are left in tears. I imagine many tears were shed during Jesus’s final night with his disciples before his crucifixion on a cross. In John 14, we read about this climax of emotion between Jesus and his traveling companions of…
Days 6 & 7: Reflect
Take this weekend to reflect on what God is showing you through the reading of his word. I know it can be hard to find a time of quiet and solitude, but see if you can find some time to sit and meditate on what God has shown you and wants to tell you. Questions to Consider: Look back at the key verses. Is there one you should commit to memory? Where do you need to repent of sin and…
Day 5: Humility Exemplified
Studies show that most people, when asked to evaluate themselves, rate themselves more highly than they really should. It’s human nature to believe that we are right in our decisions, sure of our actions, and more capable than most people around us. And the reason it’s human nature is because it’s sin – the deadly disease all of us are afflicted with. The problem with this sin is that if we all feel more important than those around us, then…
Day 4: A Roller Coaster Life
Reading Psalm 30, you feel a little bit like you are on a roller coaster. Praise and pit. Healing and hurt. Weeping and joy. Wailing and dancing. We could almost recommend a good counselor or medication for David’s up and downs. That is until we remember we function much the same. As David remembers the ups and downs of his life, what ties everything together is God. When life has been great, God was there. When he was in despair,…
Day 3: Fixer-Upers
Early in our marriage, Kerri and I wanted to buy a house. Being the poor newlyweds, the only houses we could afford were “fixer-upers.” They required time, energy, and money to repair and remodel. It wasn’t an easy process, but we always loved the final result. When new flooring was installed. When a new coat of paint went on. When the avocado green appliances were replaced! In Romans 12, Paul talks about a transformation of a different kind. This is…
Day 2: Living by the Spirit
Galatians 5 is such good news to anybody who wants to know how to be with God. You don’t need to follow a bunch of steps. You don’t need to be circumcised. You don’t need to be perfect. None of that matters. Instead, all you need is faith in Jesus Christ who died on the cross to set you free from sin. Granted, Paul immediately follows that statement up with a warning not to use your freedom to sin,…
Join Us on a 21 Day Bible Reading Plan
In yesterday’s message, we challenged everyone who calls Ashworth Road “home” to join us in reading the Bible together for the next 21 days. Our hope is that each of us wants to be more like Jesus at the end of 2015 than we are right now. And the only way for us to become more like Jesus is to spend time with him. Thoughtfully reading one select chapter of the Bible each day is one of the best ways to connect…
Do You Believe?
Years ago, a young girl wrote a letter to The New York Sun newspaper with one simple question; Is there a Santa Claus? Virginia O’Hanlon wrote to The Sun these words: “Dear Editor: I am 8 years old. Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus. Papa says ‘If you see it in The Sun, it’s so.’ Please tell me the truth; Is there a Santa Claus” Many of us are familiar with the story. One of…
How to Find the Right Church
Coming out of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, it’s a wild time of the year for shoppers to find the best gifts for our families (and sometimes ourselves) at the best prices possible. We search the internet for deals at multiple stores and then run from location to location trying to gather the best of what is being offered by the retailers this year. Some of us love trying to find the best deals while others grow weary of this…
Thanksgiving Recipe Time
Does Thanksgiving stress you out? Do you find yourself searching for ideas and new recipes to refresh your Thanksgiving menu from last year? Relax…I know how you feel. Thanksgiving is a wonderful time with friends and family but we put a lot of pressure on ourselves to plan the best Thanksgiving menu for that special moment each year. We want it to be warm, filling, pleasing to the eye, and all together perfect! After all, it only comes once a…
Thanksgiving Fun Facts
How much do you know about Thanksgiving? I’ve put together a list of fun facts that you can share around the table to impress your friends and family with on Thanksgiving Day! Turkeys originated in North and Central America, and evidence indicates that they have been around for over 10 million years Until 1863, Thanksgiving Day has not been celebrated annually since the first feast in 1621. This changed in 1863 when Sarah Josepha Hale encouraged Abraham Lincoln to set…