Ecclesia Outside the Auditorium

The auditorium is so bitter sweet. It is sweet because there is nothing like having that many Christians together (which is what ecclesia means – “assembly”) worshiping God. It is bitter because some equate the worship hour with what church is. How do we get people to drop the old facility mindset and take on [...]

Where We Exist vs. Where We Belong as Christians

“In the world but not of the world” is a popular phrase used by Christians to describe how we fit into the world around us. You often hear people say that we are citizens of another kingdom. And yet, here we are right in the middle of the world. There is a distinction in scripture [...]

Romans 9 – God’s Sovereignty

In light of the certainty of God’s promises as laid out in Romans 8:28-39 it must pain Paul tremendously to realize that some of God’s people are not coming to the result God has desired for them – that the law would lead them to Christ and be the perfect fulfillment of everything they have [...]

Romans 8:18-39 – There is More in Store

Have you ever wondered why the world has to be like this? God created this world, knowing it would get so messed up. He knew evil would happen. He knew suffering would happen. He knew rebellion and sin would happen. He even knew death would take place. And yet God still created. Romans 8:18-39 gives [...]

Them Bones, Them Bones, Them Dry Bones – A Plea for Christian Unity from Ezekiel 37

I love that song. How better to learn A&P than the Dry Bones song? That was the text of Gulfcoast Getaway 2009. Randy Harris and Paul Evans did an excellent job preaching that text and making it understandable and applicable for young people today. Harris preached the importance of a home and a place to [...]

A Couple of Blog Series to Enjoy

Michael Spenser (imonk) has been doing a series on the Gospel of Mark that is worth following. After 7 posts he is only through verse 15.

Why Study Mark?
The Beginning
The Forerunner
The Baptism
The Temptation
The Message (Part 1)
The Message (Part 2)

Also Jay Guin has been reviewing Scot McKnight’s new book Blue Parakeet: Rethinking How You Read the Bible [...]

The Government and Personal Responsibility

Rex and Mark had some very insightful words to say in discussing the post on being a good citizen of the world. I first wanted to say thanks to everyone in that discussion including Philip and Tammie for discussing it in such a loving and kind manner.
Here is what Rex had to say:
“Everybody wants to [...]

Do You Have to Be A Good Citizen of the World to Be A Good Christian?

I have tried to lay off politics since the election is over. I have had my say and that is the way the process works. I do want to point out one video because it is not so much a Republican vs. Democrat thing and I am interested to get your response to Obama’s comments. [...]

Studying Romans – 1:1-17

Paul is writing to the Roman Christians while on his way to Jerusalem with the collection and after having visited Macedonia and Achaia (Romans 15:25-27 and travel narratives of Acts 19:21, Acts 20, 21). Having never been to Rome he gives an introduction to the Roman Christians that is exceptionally long for a traditional Greek [...]

Balancing Rest and the Mission of God

When I am writing lessons I find myself often trying to motivate people to be more invested in the mission of God. As I was writing a lesson last week I began to wonder if we don’t often develop a culture of Christian business where people are faced with positive opportunity after opportunity and feel [...]