There was little surprise when Russian President Vladimir Putin decided to invade Ukraine. Nonetheless, my heart sank when I saw the news early on the morning of Thursday, February 24, 2022 reporting that the invasion had officially begun. Days into this war, I pray that I am wrong about the trajectory of this conflict. Deep in my soul, I sense the stage is set for a widespread conflict in Europe which could possibly spread into other parts of the world.

My wife Michelle and I recently made a huge error in judgment. We bought our son a new bed. I know that sounds simple enough. Foolishly, we believed the project would be nothing more than switching out a place where our son sleeps each night. This seemingly uncomplicated purchase, however, led to a major remodel of our upstairs.

And here we are – 2022 has arrived! Somehow another twelve months has passed us by. I do not know about you, but I refuse to waste much time worrying about what has been. Amazingly 2021, with all of its blessings and trials, is past history. None of us can go back and erase, correct, or choose a different path. What is behind us is past history.

All of us will worship something this Christmas because you are, by nature, a worshipper. But will we choose to worship the Creator or the creation?

The church is to be a place where people are taught the Scriptures so they increasingly become more like Jesus. Programs facilitate this process, but they cannot replace it.

Over the last two months, we have been discussing David’s profound words in Psalm 142. As we read through this psalm, we find some key insights into David’s thought process.

We all understand that there will be people in our lives from time to time who seek to cause us difficulty. Most of us have probably known at least one person who particularly enjoys creating havoc for others. It can be discouraging when someone is seemingly laying a trap for us. In those times when it appears someone is out to get us, we must remember that the Lord knows our way.

Most of us are not hiding in a physical cave, but we may very well be trapped in a spiritual or emotional cave carefully constructed by our fears, insecurities, and false assumptions.

Despite all of the uncertainty and tension in the United States at this point in time, it’s comforting to remember that our Creator is still the sovereign King over this world.

It’s been suggested that a first impression is made in as little as seven seconds. Assuming this time frame is correct – or at least close to correct – this means that the average guest who steps foot on our campus for the first time has developed an impression of our church within a few short seconds.

Even though we live in a culture that has drifted away from God, we as followers of Christ are called to live lives of holiness and Christ-like integrity. While churches in the United States of America are facing many challenges, we are called as followers of Christ to be men and women who consistently display a godly character. 

Each and every one of us understand the emotion of fear because we have all experienced it to some degree. When we are afraid, our bodies react physiologically. Our heartbeat increases, we breathe faster, we tremble, get weak in the knees, get goosebumps, and adrenalin begins to course through our veins (e.g., the fight or flight response). But if we’re honest, we would have to admit that the concept of fear in the Bible seems a bit confusing and even contradictory.

A Christian view of work is an interesting topic to study. As a result, many good books have been written on the topic. And the Scriptures are filled with passages from which we can develop a practical theology of work. In Ecclesiastes 9:10, for instance, Solomon puts it this way: “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might.” As people created in the image of God, we are called to be productive, creative, hardworking, and responsible so that humanity can flourish.

Are you good with being you? Or do you demand more from God than what He’s graciously allotted?