May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. — Ephesians 3:19 NLT Pipín Ferreras wants to go deep, deeper than any person has ever gone. You and I are content with 10 or 20 feet of water. Certain risktakers descend 40, maybe 50. Not Pipín. This legendary…
The Answer to Outrage
In 2014, Slate magazine released a series of essays collectively called “The Year of Outrage” and described, “From righteous fury to faux indignation, everything we got mad about… and how outrage has taken over our lives.” Essay titles included “The Outrage Project,” “The Life Cycle of Outrage,” “What ‘Outrage’ Means,” “Identity Outrage,” “The Cultural…
The New Commandment
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. — John 13:34 My high school chemistry teacher used to always talk about the “acid test.” The acid test is a sure-fire way to identify a substance. The Bible reveals that the…
Rhythms of Renewal OBS Week 3 — Restore
God invites us a wholeness that isn’t just mind, isn’t just body, and isn’t just spirit. But, it’s the culmination of all those things coming under submission to what God intends for us. Physically, mentally, and emotionally. Restoration brings us back to life. ~ Rebekah Lyons I’ll give you a full life in the emptiest…
The Lies We Believe: “God’s Love Must be Earned.”
“Diane,” I said, “why do you think you’ve never found your faith in God to be a source of comfort or joy?” “Would you if you always felt you were trying to measure up and never making it?” she challenged me. “No, I wouldn’t. You know, what you are describing is something a lot…
The Father’s Love
You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in Heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on…
Is Your Family Parenting Out of Faith, or Out of Fear?
For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. — 2 Timothy 1:7 By all accounts, Shiloh was the perfect teen. She earned excellent grades, avoided dating, and never missed youth group. She came from the perfect Christian family — two hard-working parents who set up their home…
Why God Allows Trial and Temptation
God allows temptation and trial because they can be good for us. Seriously? Yep. The same Greek and Hebrew words are used in Scripture for both temptation and trial. The distinction depends on intent and motivation. Is the difficult situation for the purpose of tearing down? It’s a temptation. Is it for the purpose of…
How Becoming a Parent Helps You Understand the Unconditional Love of God
Nearly five years ago, my wife, Lauren, and I became parents for the first time when our daughter, Ashlyn Alexandra, was born. Three years later, we welcomed her sister, Madison Amore, into the world and into our family. To say being a father has changed my life would be an understatement. To say being a…
Saving Grace
Jesus already knows the cost of grace. He already knows the price of forgiveness. But He offers it anyway. God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. – Romans 5:8 God didn’t look at our frazzled lives and say, “I’ll die for you when you…
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