Consider this

   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 ...

 Our transition from lost to found is a gift of God. It is because of God’s grace and Jesus’ sacrifice.  However, our growth in that new life is at least partially our responsibility. So, what needs evaluation?  Where should this growth begin? What does it look like to walk in the light? Colossians 1 highlights three starting spots.  https://youtu.be/1nWWWj4awh8  

    Peter was probably not surprised when he learned that Jesus wanted to talk to him.   Someone had to take charge of the followers when Jesus went back to heaven.   Perhaps Peter thought this was his big promotion. If so, he was quickly disappointed.   Jesus’ message to Peter was, “Feed my sheep!” (John 21:15-20).   Not “lead my sheep” but feed them.   Typically, this was a job given to the youngest, most insignificant member of the family.   You may recall that years before, when Samuel came to anoint a new king, David was not present, because, as the youngest, he was out with the sheep.   “Feed my sheep” was not a high-level assignment.   In essence, Peter was being asked to humble himself and serve everyone els Jesus consistently taught that we ought to serve one another.   Several times he stated that, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and servant of all” (Mark 9:35).   His own example was that ...

 Why hope is so important, where it comes from and why we MUST guard it.  https://youtu.be/pTdDmkMDKzk    

I like car shows, but perhaps not for the reason you might expect.   I like looking at and working on old cars.  I have one myself.  However, my favourite part about car shows is walking up to people and asking, “Is this your car?  Where did you find it?  What shape was it in when you bought it?  Did you drive it to the show?”  If you take the time to be curious and listen, you will not only learn something, but you will also hear some of the most amazing stories and meet some of the nicest people.   Stories are powerful.  They allow us to discover truths and help us understand the world around us.  There is a reason we read our children bedtime stories instead of the instruction manual from the microwave.  The instruction manual contains facts.  Stories teach life lessons.  It should not surprise us then that the Bible is full of stories.  From the story of creation, David and Goliath, the parting of the Re...

 Forget your big ideas and vision statements. Jesus has another plan.  https://youtu.be/9z_vnTUNMo0  

 A carpenter friend of mine and I walked into a new restaurant.  While I was “oohing” and “awing”, he noted the crooked countertop, the misaligned floor tiles and the drywall that had not been sanded well enough.  He was not trying to be overly critical.  It is just that builders see buildings differently. I have a musical friend.  When I would listen to songs with him, he would say things like, “Did you hear that bass line?” and I would say, “Nope!”  It was there.  However, I did not notice it because I had not trained myself to hear music in the way my buddy did. Sara loves painting.  Often, she will look at a sunset and say something to me like, “Do you see that magenta colour on that cloud?”  I do not even know what magenta is, much less where to find it.  I see a sunset while she, as an artist, sees colours. This happens in all areas of life.  Cattle people see cows differently than I do.  I do not know a good cow from an ...

 The Feeding of the 5000 tells us three things about Jesus and one really important thing about ourselves.  https://youtu.be/dJSBHJiqyGs  

  About 1000 years before Christ, God’s people wanted to be like the people around them. They wanted a king! Saul was chosen, and he reigned for 40 years (1 Samuel 10). Eventually, Saul became disobedient, and God rejected him. David was chosen as Saul’s replacement (1 Samuel 16:1-13), but he had to wait approximately 16 years to take the throne. During those years, Saul became increasingly jealous of David. Soon, Saul felt so threatened by David’s popularity that he determined that David must die. In the palace one night, Saul threw a spear at David (1 Samuel 18:7-11). Next, he sent David into battle, hoping that he would not return (1 Samuel 18:25). When that did not work, Saul commanded his army to go to David’s house and kill him, but David escaped (1 Samuel 19:1). Saul then threw another spear at David but missed again (1 Samuel 19:8-10). Saul then sent more men to get David, but he eluded them (1 Samuel 19:11). Finally, Saul announced openly that David must die (1 Sa...

 No lesson I have done in months has received this much IMMEDIATE reaction.  https://youtu.be/A8e2kQi7RT8  

If you were to drive by our house, you would see that Sara loves plants.  Our yard is full of flowers, and Sara lovingly tends every one of them. Which is why I was so afraid when she left town and put me in charge of keeping things alive. She must have been a little concerned, too, because she sent me two videos with specific instructions on how to water, when to water, and what to do.  Honestly, those first two videos helped, but the third one she sent was the one I liked most.  In that one, she said, “Please do your best. I want the yard to look good for the family reunion in two weeks.  However, if something dies, we will dig it out and pretend that it never existed!” That is what grace looks like!  Try your best, do what you can, but if it goes wrong, it will be ok. Sometimes we talk as though grace and effort are opposites.  That is not true.  They are partners. In one place, scripture asks, “What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone c...

 We need to hear one truth from Esther's life. A truth that will change how we experience everything else.  https://youtu.be/CCqlHrF8s28  

 Ever notice that the harder you try, the more discouraged you become?  That is by design! It is actually for our good. Here is why…..   https://youtu.be/LjBrE2mjiQw  

  Consider This:  Press the Button! My favourite TV game show is Jeopardy.  I used to like it even more when my kids were younger, because I could easily beat them and look smart.  These days, after they have grown up and gone to university, it is much more difficult.  However, Jeopardy is still the only game show I will watch. In a book I read, a contestant who did very well on the show shared the secret to his success.  He said (and I am paraphrasing here), “You must press the button before you know the answer.  Everyone on Jeopardy is smart. Everyone knows the answer. The key to winning is to act.  You must jump in and press the button, assuming that your brain will catch up and supply the answer.  If you wait until you are sure, you will be too late!” Press the button! Too often, we hesitate, not because we do not know what to do, but because we do not want to do it.  Sometimes, we fail to act because we are not sure how the situatio...

 What we focus on in life matters. Here are some scriptural reminders that will help us see correctly.  https://youtu.be/Rn76tV0ZH8s    

    Consider This: Feelings Are For…???? Complete this sentence, “If I could go back in time, I would…”. Or this one, “I wish I had not…”. One more, “I wish I had…”. Regrets. Sadness. Mistakes. We cannot get through life without them. Therefore, we need to learn how to deal with negative experiences. Here are three choices. First, we can believe that feelings are to be ignored. Take all your hurts, stuff them down, and never admit how you really feel. This is not a good long-term strategy because those ignored feelings come out badly in other places. In addition, ignoring our feelings causes us to live a delusional life that is disconnected from reality. This does not help anyone. A second option is to decide that feelings are for feeling. In other words, feelings are the ultimate guide, and we ought to feel everything to its extreme. Do whatever makes you feel good. When you feel bad, wallow in it. Living this way is not only chaotic but also destructive. It...

 Dreams are good. Plans and expectations are fine. However, only by focusing on the process do we find progress.   1 Peter 1:13 tells us what to do to get to where we want to go (point 3 is my favourite!)   https://youtu.be/qyGwN_OOmCQ  

In a time when everyone has a vocal opinion on everything and judgment is everywhere, maybe we need to reconsider the words of Jesus. “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?  How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye” (Matthew 7:3-5).  Here are two observations to consider. First, when we look for what others are doing wrong, we are starting in the wrong place.  “Take the log out of your eye” is the first move.  Start with yourself!  It is easy to judge others and make excuses for ourselves.  Yet, that is completely backwards! If we are honest, we never get past making ourselves better.  There is always more to do.  This, then, leaves very little time to point out...

 From the start, God wanted his people to celebrate. At the end of time, celebration is the theme in heaven. Why would it not be necessary now?  Some thoughts on why we must celebrate and what we lose when we don't. https://youtu.be/sPiN0X0_T_U    

  Let’s play a quick game.  Take 10 seconds and list 5 or 6 words to describe God.  Got your words?  Good!   Here comes the game part.  I will list twenty-three ways that David describes God in Psalm 145, and we will see how many of his words match yours.   David says that God is, the king, great, majestic, wonderful, powerful, awesome, abundant in goodness, righteous, gracious, compassionate, slow to anger, rich in love, good to all, glorious, mighty, trustworthy, faithful, supporting, generous, providing, near, saving and watching.     How did you do? This is not a useless exercise.  The words we use to describe God not only indicate something about how we see him, but they also influence how we interact with him.  For example, if I know that God is “Gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love” (verse 8), I will not fear him, and I will not assume that he is against me.  When I remember that...

 This short, 20 minute lesson can have a huge impact on how we deal with one another.   https://youtu.be/sejLXF4Anj4  

 If you have the wrong information to begin with, you will come to the wrong conclusion.  On this Father’s Day, a lesson to make sure we see our heavenly Father correctly…. and how that changes everything else.  https://youtu.be/p1hIX_toBXo  

                 “1N73LLIG3NC3 15 7H3 4BILI7Y 70 4D4P4P7 70 CH4NG3.” Isn’t that something?   You can read that phrase even though there is not one English word in it.   Your brain is trained to look for patterns, and because it knows what English words and syntax look like, it adapts what you see to make it make sense.   Your brain does not see what is there.   Rather, your brain sees what you have trained it to see and reacts accordingly.   The same rainstorm that makes a farmer happy makes a golfer mad.   Therefore, it is important to train our brains well.   Here are two truths that will help. First, God is in control.   While life may feel chaotic and random, scripture reminds us that this is untrue.   “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged” (Deuteronomy 31:8...