Joshua is a difficult book to read. Yes, it contains wonderful verses for us to memorize. Verses like Joshua 1:9, "Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go" and Joshua 24:15, "...but as for me and my household, we will serve the … Continue reading Thursday Thought: Joshua →

He will not grow faint or be crushed until he has established justice in the earth -Isaiah 42:4 In chapter 12 of his Gospel, Matthew uses Isaiah 42 to describe Jesus. This morning as I read Matthew 12, I was greatly encouraged. Quoting Isaiah 42, Jesus is the servant, loved and upheld, chosen, in whom … Continue reading Thursday Thoughts: Jesus and Justice →

Recently, I've had a pastor friend recommend listening to the artist Will Reagan. Since the recommendation, his music has filled my office. One piece of the song "No Better Time" from the album "Live at the Banks House" struck me. Some key lyrics: "Help me find my own flame Help me find my own fire … Continue reading Thursday Thoughts: Why Wait? →

Last night in our "Tattoos on the Heart" book study, we enjoyed and discussed Greg Boyle's idea of 'marinating' in God's love. It's a funny thought, and one that he discovered from one of the homies at Homeboy Industries. It's the idea of allowing oneself to simply be and rest in and meditate on the … Continue reading Thursday Thoughts: Marinating →

One of my favorite moments between the disciples and Jesus is documented in Luke 11:1, "He [Jesus] was praying in a certain place, and after he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” I love the simplicity and humility of it. I'm sure … Continue reading Thursday Thoughts: Teach us to Pray →

Sometimes these posts draw on themes from upcoming sermons, but sometimes they're just personal. This is one of those posts. Just over a week ago, Cassie and I adopted a three-legged dog. According to the adoption agency, she's a 3-year-old chocolate lab mix. According to a vet in Alabama (where she's from), she's 6-years-old. According … Continue reading Thursday Thoughts: Ruth →

This week, we'll explore the word love. 1 John 4:7-21, which will be Sunday's text, states that God is love and God loves us. Therefore, we are called to love one another. In the Gospels, Jesus pushes us to not just love one another, but to love even our enemies. Personally, I have not encountered … Continue reading Thursday Thoughts: Love from MLK →

"I'm spiritual but not religious." I've heard this phrase often. Anecdotally, I usually hear this from religiously unaffiliated people (atheists, agnostics, etc.). In some ways, this makes me sad, as I believe religion and religious activities are necessary for one's spirituality. But, as a pastor, I'm more concerned about my fellow Christians living out this … Continue reading Thursday Thoughts: Spiritual, but not religious? →