The phrase “rolling with the punches” originates as a boxing analogy. To literally roll with the punches as a boxer, the fighter moves their body in the same direction as an opponent’s punches, not to avoid the punches, but to lessen their impact.
As followers of Jesus, we are called often to “roll with the punches” of life. I don’t mean literal punches and physical impacts, but rather, unexpected blows to the plans and expectations that we have. Read more…
When I was younger, I used to get hung up on the significance my Christian service in a couple ways.
I would sometimes wonder if the lowly service I was involved in mattered and along with that thought I would often wish that I had some “big” or “important” service to do.
Then I heard a corny little story from a preacher that went something like this: Read more…
This week I’ve been following the tragedy that happened in Nepal. If you’re not aware, a giant piece of a glacier collapsed and fell over four thousand feet into a very steep valley where a small river flowed that separated the countries of Nepal and China.
Contained inside of the glacier was a great mass of water; like a lake housed inside of the glacier itself. When the glacier collapsed into the valley, the water inside was released in a great rush, averaging 120 miles per hour down the valley destroying an immigration station, a damn that was under construction, and several villages were swept away completely and buried under several feet of mud, rock and ice. Read more…
When you hear the phrase, “working out,” what comes to your mind first?
For me, the first thing that comes to mind is physical exercise, and that is a meaning of the phrase, but what did the Apostle Paul mean when he said it in Philippians 2:12? Read more…
Sometimes we can get away with forgetting things. At one time in my life, I could locate and write the name and capital city of every state in the United States (In 7th grade). Today, I am fairly confident I could get at least 90% correct, but I have forgotten some of that information. Read more…
I love big surprises. No, not the traditional idea of a big surprise, like a party or an extravagant present, those are nice as well, but just not what I mean. I love it when God surprises me because He does it in the most unexpected ways.
For instance, at a time in my life when I was living in sin, struggling with addictions, I just knew that if I confessed my sin and sought help, that it would ruin my life. You see, that’s just how satanic influence works in this world. Satanic influences whisper in your ear to not do what will help you, but to continue in secrecy doing what will only harm you Read more…
Sometimes I experience an overwhelming feeling that I am not where I should be. I don’t mean being some place that I feel morally compromised, though, in my younger years I was often guilty of being places I had no business being.
I mean geographically. It’s a strange feeling, and one that I can’t really understand. For instance, I have often felt this feeling when I was in another state or country, far from home. Read more…
Arguably the best quote from author J.K. Rowling’s, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, her fourth book in the series, is a quote from Albus Dumbledore, which says,
“Dark and difficult times lie ahead. Soon we must all face the choice between what is right and what is easy.” Read more…
As we continue to study the Book of Romans, we will continue to examine passages that are difficult to fully understand, but just because we may not be able to fully grip a text, doesn’t mean that we should neglect it.
So how should we approach such passages? Sometimes it’s easier to begin with the things to not do, so let’s start there. Read more…
Have you ever wanted to grow more spiritually, but didn’t know quite where to begin? Jesus can help!
In John 17:17, in the midst of Jesus’ prayer to the Father, in reference to His followers, He says: Read more…
