Blog (Page 8)

Blog (Page 8)

Quarantined: Extra – Word-Centered

Word-Centered Life: Living the life-giving message The Evangelical Tradition encompasses much more than simply converting people. The evangel – the “good news” – is God’s great message to humanity: that all can be redeemed and restored to its intended design. This is the message embodied in Jesus himself, rooted in the word of God, and ultimately expressed through the lives of those who follow Christ. It is a living tale of grace spoken in and through word and action. “This…

Quarantined: Day 25

Almighty God, When there was nothing good within me, you loved me and gave yourself for me. You have set me apart and called me to know and follow you. This calling is not to a set of rules and regulations or even a new religion but to you. To seek you. To follow you. To allow you to shape and form my heart into a pattern that looks more and more like Jesus every day. Shine your light in…

Quarantined: Day 24

That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.”  Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped.  Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” He got up,…

Quarantined: Day 23

It’s hard to believe sometimes that we are going to see the other side of everything that is happening in the world around us. When I still hear the negative things still going on, it’s difficult to see the good in what’s happening. Scripture gives us an account of when the Israelites were wandering in the wilderness and the promise that God has for them in the Promised Land but they needed to travel on the journey to get there.…

New Normal

Life can be overwhelming, and finding your footing in this new normal is a challenge. But remember, you are not alone in your struggles.  Join us as we talk about real issues we’re all dealing with as we adjust to the new world we live in: Coping & Addiction (View Message) Marriage & Family (View Message) Mental  Health (View Message) Healthy Spiritual Rhythms (View Message) Through all 4 messages of this powerful series we interview experts in each of these areas to…

Quarantined: Day 22

ShineArtist: Suki Joseph Premnath Artist Statement: Have you ever felt hopeless that the light you shine in the dark world isn’t enough? We live in unprecedented times and we see so many people hurting in so many ways. The need is so huge, but here we are, carrying our flickering candle, holding it out for the world living in hopelessness and darkness. What is the point? Does it even matter that we shine? In Matthew 5:15, Jesus tells us to let…

Quarantined: Extra – Compassion

Social Justice continues to be a buzz word in our culture. How does the compassion of Christ fit in with a social justice society? Compassionate Life: Extending compassion in every sphere of lifeThe Social Justice Tradition expresses the themes of justice, compassion, and peace. It emphasizes wisdom and lovingkindness to bring relationships into harmony, unity, and balance, even within our relationship to nature. Compassionate Life takes place in all arenas of life, from personal to social to global. As with…

Quarantined: Day 20

A Prayer for a Fresh Filling of the Holy Spirit  Are you weary and longing for more in this season? Working out of your own strength, striving, and running on spiritual fumes? I find myself and so many others in that place, so today I want us to pray for a fresh filling of the Holy Spirit!  “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that…

Quarantined: Day 19

But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.  1 Peter 2:9 We often think of ourselves as God’s children, beloved by our heavenly father. But we are also told in this verse that we are a “royal priesthood, a holy nation…” Not…

Quarantined: Day 18

As followers of Jesus, we know the truths of Romans 8:31-39, but at times it is hard to believe them.  Life happens to all of us, and we are told lies that go against the things God says we are.  I’ve held on to so many of those comments and things so long that I start to believe the lies.  Those lies keep us away from who God has called us to be. 1 Peter 2:9 says, “But you are a…

Quarantined: Day 17

Resurrection of the DeadArtist: Suki Joseph PremnathArtist Statement: I painted this based on a vision I had several months back. In the vision, I saw several open tombs. Lavenders in the foreground were swaying gently in the breeze. The sun was shining and the day was bright. It was a happy place.  The Holy Spirit revealed to me that the tombs are open, just as Jesus’ tomb was open on the resurrection morning. While the Spirit of God will literally…