Spiritual Growth (Page 2)
Is the Bible Boring?
As a pastor, I shouldn’t be admitting this, but yes, the Bible is boring in some parts. On January 1, I began a reading plan to read through the Bible in a year. That means over the past 3 months I have read countless boring parts: genealogies, numerous censuses (or is it censii?), hundreds of verses of odd rules and regulations, and various boundary markers and travel routes. It’s at this point in trying to read the Bible that many…
Unity in a Nation of Disunity
As I was reading though my journal this morning, reflecting on yesterday’s message calling us to unity, I ran across my entry from November 9, 2016, the day after the election. While the election may be over, the divisiveness and division is not. I share this now because it seems as appropriate today as it did 9 months ago when I originally wrote it. The Day After an Election November 9, 2016 Congratulations, America. You’ve survived another election. But are…
Remix: Unexpected Power
Introduction I have a family of four sons. As a foster family, our conversations around the dinner table can be a bit different than the typical family. A lot of learning takes place around our dinner table, and sometimes we find ourselves in some really funny moments. For instance, this week, one of my sons asked me about water baptism. So I was explaining that water baptism is an outward sign to others of the inward change that happens when a person…
More Thoughts on Doubt
A few weeks ago, we looked at how doubt can sneak up on us as Christians. Often, because we are unprepared, it can throw us for a loop, making us feel like something is wrong with us or that we aren’t good Christians. But as we discussed, often doubt isn’t what derails our faith but is actually what strengthens it. Recently, I ran across a podcast that death with this issue. As I listened, I was encouraged by the speaker…
Villains of the Bible – Satan – Real Attacks but Real Victory
Sermon Podcast Audio Your browser does not support the audio element. A Real Attack Have you ever watched the National Geographic channel and seen the videos of the gazelles or zebras on the African plain? The camera cuts to the lion who is laying in wait, just ready to pounce on its prey. The lion is patient and waits to see one zebra pull away from the heard and then he makes his move. Then he pounces and absolutely destroys the…
Top 3 Bible Reading Apps
Technology: For Good or Evil Technology is a double-edged sword. It devours hours of our teenagers time, and yet it put important information at your finger tips whenever and wherever you need it. Some people lament how the prevalence of tiny screens everywhere has damaged community while others couldn’t imagine a world without the conveniences technology offers us. The same tension exists when considering how technology affects Christians. How ironic it is that the same tiny screen can offer a…
Jesus Changes Everything – Zac’s Story
At Ashworth Road, we believe that Jesus changes everything. Zac Siefkas recently shared his story of coming to faith in Jesus and why he wanted to be baptized. Check out Zac’s story here:
Jesus Changes Everything – Lizbeth’s Story
At Ashworth Road, we believe that Jesus changes everything. Lizbeth Clark recently shared her story of coming to faith in Jesus and why she wanted to be baptized. Check out Lizbeth’s story here:
What’s Stopping You from Inviting?
Easter is less that 40 days away. In the church world, Easter and Christmas are the two times of the year where those who don’t usually attend church are most open to attending a church service. What usually prevents them from coming? No one asks! A recent article by Relevant Magazine lists several reasons why we don’t invite our friends to church. These reasons include worlds colliding, feeling ill-equipped to answer their questions,risking the relationship, and church not being relevant…
Making and Keeping the Right Friends
Most of us have friends we like and friends we don’t (and I’m not even talking about social media). Wait – friends we don’t like? Yup. In fact, this phenomena is so common, it has a name – “Frenemies.” These are the people who are your friends by association, who you actually don’t like because they do things behind closed doors that only your enemy would do to you. So the question is, why would you keep a friend who…
It’s Back to School Time!
How many of these first day of school pictures did you see all over Facebook the past few weeks! I saw tons of them and even though it’s fun to see everyone’s children growing up, it also hits home that it’s the turn of a new school year. With that comes change in the household. Some are ready and some are still dragging their feet, holding on to summer. My household seemed ready this year and are off to a…