Understanding Love

When David attempted to bring the Ark of the Covenant back to Jerusalem, things didn’t go as planned. In 2 Samuel 6, the celebration turned to tragedy when Uzzah reached out to steady the Ark and was struck down. Shocked and afraid, David halted the procession and placed the Ark in the home of a man named Obed-edom the Gittite. And that’s when everything changed. Scripture tells us, “The Ark of the Lord remained in the house of Obed-edom the Gittite for…

I am a nature lover. I feel so much closer to God when I enjoy what he created, especially animals and birds. Birds of prey are my favorite. From the Peregrine falcon that inspired the B2 bomber, flying at speeds of 69 miles per hour chasing prey (and often straight down from the top of a high tower); to the Great Horned Owl who can catch a mouse under a foot of snow in total darkness; to the Osprey, aka fish-hawk, who soars over the ocean, lakes and even rivers worldwide…

In Psalm 139, David marvels at the closeness of God – that there’s nowhere he can go to be outside the Lord’s presence. Have you ever felt this way about God’s presence? When I was in elementary school, probably 1st or 2nd grade, I recall standing in a field near our playground – gazing into a blue sky filled with white billowing clouds – imagining the God of the universe was up there somewhere watching my every move. I created an image…

Imagine putting on shirts of compassion, patience and forgiveness. That might seem ridiculous, but Colossians 3:12 tells us to “clothe ourselves” in traits that match our identity in Christ. In other words, we need to cover ourselves in actions and attitudes that result in us looking more like Jesus every day. So, how do we do this? One way to get started is by thinking of the struggles that keep you from living more like Jesus, and then start to replace them…

When I was a child, I would often have visions and dreams and at times, believe I could hear God's voice inside of me directing my path. But as I grew older, I fell prisoner to the belief that God no longer speaks to us directly unless we are possessed or mentally ill. And so, I denied my experience for years. In my early 30s, I became dissatisfied with serving such a distant God when the bible was full of instances of God walking and talking with his people. So, I…

When I was a child, I would often have visions and dreams and at times, believe I could hear God's voice inside of me directing my path. But as I grew older, I fell prisoner to the belief that God no longer speaks to us directly unless we are possessed or mentally ill. And so, I denied my experience for years. In my early 30s, I became dissatisfied with serving such a distant God when the bible was full of instances of God walking and talking with his people. So, I…

Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?Job 12:12 Okay, so you can’t do a cartwheel anymore. Tree climbing, cliff diving, and disco dancing are not on your schedule this week. You also can’t remember the name of the dog owned by your best friend from high school. Or where you put your car keys this morning. Really, it’s okay.You may have lost some physical dexterity and your memory may need a reboot, but with age and…

On Sunday our Pastor tackled a difficult subject. Here’s how he put it. Who do you trust? Another contentious election season is upon us, and there will be a flurry of ads, debates, signs, billboards, commercials, and non-stop news coverage. Some of us will retreat, while others will fight. Many will experience anxiety, stress, and even fear. It’s a topic we must discuss as the body of Christ. Should we dig in and express ourselves in a way that brings clarity…

I watched from a distance as my 4-year-old sat on her new bike at the top of the driveway, taking off her helmet and trying to hang it on the handlebar. I shouted, “Put your helmet back on!” Her reply was that of what I imagined would come from a teenager…”ugh!”. She begrudgingly put it back on her head and snapped the buckle.How many times in life do we take a couple practice runs with God before we think we have it all figured out and don&rsquo…