That is what so many of us experienced at our Friday Night Worship and Dedication. This is what so many of us experience week after week. This past week, I read and taught through a number of passages about PLACE. Jacob wrestled with the angel of the Lord and called that place Peniel, because he […]
On Sunday, the message began with a biblical teaching on discerning the times (1 Chronicles 12:32; Jeremiah 6:16; Isaiah 43:18-19). To discern the times means we actually know what is going on, what people are thinking, how they are acting, what motivates them, etc. But most of us go on our own personal experience and just […]
This past Friday we experienced an incredible evening of worship, prayer, celebration, and community as we gathered for Night of Worship. The highlight of the night was a special prayer and dedication led by Pastor Brian, which you can read below. As you read this post we hope you feel inspired by the images, prayer, and […]
The church has a vital role in the world. While the core of our ministry is the Gospel message of salvation by grace through faith, and the lifelong transformation by grace so we become mature followers of Jesus, we then go out into the world to address all the hurt, brokenness, and messiness of the […]
We’ve recently introduced a new song to our church family called “Crowns.” When I first heard this song, I was at once convicted, humbled, and motivated to invite Jesus Christ again onto the throne of my heart. Soon after, I felt the Lord telling my spirit that this was a song we needed to sing […]
Of all the many excellent insights and encouragements in The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work, there is one strong foundation Gottman says must be in place: At the heart of the Seven Principles approach is the simple truth that happy marriages are based on a deep friendship. By this I mean a mutual respect […]
The beautiful paragraph below is from Old Testament scholar John Goldingay (Old Testament Theology, vol. 3, p. 706). I hope it speaks to you as it spoke to me. (Note: It was all one paragraph in his book. I broke it up for easier reading.) ******** Parents passionately want their children to grow into people […]
All of us live out of a social base, as it is called in some leadership development circles. Your social base is how you are supported in your work and life in general. Who is your closest inner circle that provides spiritual and emotional support? For many, it is a spouse, siblings, and children or other […]
Have you ever been asked, “What really makes you tick?” Sometimes I deflect the question by making a joke: “Well, my heart makes me tick. That’s why we call it a ticker! But then I get serious and truly consider the question, because it is an important one. Maybe the most important one. So here […]
As you are reading this post, Brian Newman is in Europe at a conference on the refugee migration taking place in recent years and how the church can respond to these displaced Muslim people, many of whom are wide open to the Good News of Jesus. I asked Brian to share a few thoughts with […]