Consider this

  It is easy to become distracted talking about a whole bunch of things. However, the church only has one message. If we lose that, we lose our effectiveness.  https://youtu.be/LJWmvHuHayQ  

   Michael Lewis, the author of “Moneyball” and “The Blind Side”, once said, “Unless you have a story, you don't have a way to persuade people”.  Stories are powerful.  They help us see and understand what we previously missed.  Sadly, some take the beautiful story of scripture and turn it into lists to memorize and rules to follow.  Fortunately, Colossians 1:21-23 corrects that mistake by retelling the gospel story. As many good stories do, this one starts with a big problem: “Once you were alienated from God” (verse 21).  Alienated means to be separated or to lose connection.  That is what sin does.  It comes between us and God and destroys the relationship.  Our incorrect thinking and actions cause us to run away from God (also verse 21).  Left to our own devices, our story ends here.  We have no way home. Fortunately, the next phrase is, “But now”.  Something has changed.  “But now, He (God) has reconciled you” (v...

There are many misconceptions about what the Christian life is all about. if we are going to understand who we are and what we are here for, we must put the proper foundations in place.  https://youtu.be/3993VgcHmi0    

  If you want to start a commotion these days, all you need to do is state an opinion.   Someone is sure to believe differently, and they are usually not shy about telling you why.   Especially online, it is common for people to have arguments with strangers over things that really do not matter.   If you have the time and inclination, I guess there is nothing wrong with kicking around theories and ideas.   However, when it comes to Jesus, certain teachings are not up for debate. For example, Colossians 1 states that Jesus is “the image of the invisible God” (verse 15).   Some teachers attempt to separate God and Jesus.   This passage makes clear that you cannot have one without the other.   If you want to know God at all, you must get to know Jesus.   As he said, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9). Secondly, Jesus is “the head of the body, the church” (verse 18).   It is tempting to believe that the way I see thi...

Thanksgiving is a cornerstone of a life of faith. Remembering and sharing this story will help us celebrate our blessings. https://youtu.be/lAzOpTEDRhs   

  When going through challenging times, people often receive one of two pieces of advice: “Try harder,” or “Quit!”  Unfortunately, most of the time, those answers are unrealistic, unhelpful or both.  So, what should we do when we do not know what to do?  Colossians 1 gives us some good advice. The chapter begins with Paul mentioning two qualities that indicate his readers are on the right track: they have faith in God, and they love one another (Colossians 1:3-4).  You may remember that someone asked Jesus what the greatest command of God was, and he replied, “’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength’. The second is this: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself’.  There is no commandment greater than these” (Mark 12:30-31).  Success starts here, but how do we get to that point?  The next verse gives us a surprising answer. “[This] faith and love spring up from the ...