Learning to love others the way Jesus loves us
MISUNDERSTOOD VERSES #4 Upon first read, this one seems to promise that if parents check all the right boxes for raising happy, productive, and godly offspring, then by golly, it's a sure-fired guarantee that their adult children will be pillars of Christian society. No pressure. This verse turns into ammunition for judgement. Christian parent with… Continue reading Proverbs 22:6
Defaulting to Grace is going to be a book! To celebrate, I've decided to share bonus content to subscribers only. You may already follow me through WordPress, but I invite you to subscribe (free), too. As a subscriber, you'll be first to know about the publication process and timeline along with some sneak peeks at… Continue reading Subscribe for bonus content
"Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near" (Hebrews 10:24-25). The COVID-19 pandemic added to a building cultural sense that regular church attendance… Continue reading Going missing
Why does God allow suffering? Certainly He could have created everyone to be good and moral and kind. But doing so would mean humans would have no free will or independent spirits. If people are allowed choices, there will always be consequences. And humans don’t like to feel conformed to or constrained by another. In… Continue reading Someday we will see the “why”
There is a tree on one of my running paths that I just love. A large branch covers the boardwalk and every year it gets just a little lower, a little heavier, and a little broader. I have dozens of pictures as the tree transforms through all four seasons. It is a little different every… Continue reading The Transformational nature of grace
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through… Continue reading Love, grace, and testimony
Real talk here. Total transparency. I am writing about the need for grace, but I'm not always good about extending it. Fast food chaos When I'm not writing I work at a fast food restaurant. It's a perfect side gig: I love my teammates, the managers are fantastic (and patient), the hours are flexible, and… Continue reading Let’s talk about grace in real life
I heard a song for the first time the other day and was moved by the message and the music. I appreciated the nod to old familiar hymns woven through. Mostly, though, I was struck by the focus on the blood of Jesus as the master key of salvation. We don't sing about the blood… Continue reading Nothing but the blood of Jesus
How to please the Lord 101: Love God, love people. There is nothing complicated about what God wants his children to do. He says it over and over in every book of the Bible. Jesus himself summed up the commandments in two sentences: Love the Lord your God will your heart, soul, mind, and strength,… Continue reading How to please the Lord 101
Inspired by a sermon By Pastor Jason Cook at Fellowship Bible Church, Roswell, GA 4/18/2021
Defaulting to Grace 