Thought For the Week

Dear Friends, It was, to say the least, a difficult weekend for many. My prayers go out for all, and for our nation, as we work through the events that took place, and dig out from the storm (literal and figurative). It's been one of those weeks where I felt we all needed a little upward gaze. I know that in difficult times it is hard to speak of God’s sovereignty. We ask: “How could God________.” Yet, whether we realize it or not, that question alone suggests we already believe he is sovereign. We ask because we believe God could have intervened and prevented something from happening but did not. The question would not even come to mind if we did not believe he could have made it turn out different. Of course, I will not even attempt to address all the ins and outs of God’s sovereignty. Not in one little thought, since this one subject involves so much it would take a lengthy book or series of books! Therefore, I simply offer a couple of short “thoughts” to get you sta...

Dear Friends, I called a friend today and he asked me if I would write a short message on why being involved in a church is important. He has a son who says he is a believer but sees no need to go to church. I told him I would put something together and send it along. (He’s a recipient of these weekly “thoughts” and will soon be reading this!) If you wrestle with that, or have spoken to people who do, maybe this could help you too. Enjoy. Why We Belong Together 1. God’s Design for Community From the beginning, God intended His people to gather together, not live in isolation. Scripture calls Jesus the “Cornerstone” and each believer a “living stone” being built into a spiritual house. In other words, we are the body of Christ with many members. No part was meant to go solo. We are not called to be “home Baptists” (if I might use that common term). God’s design was never to save and fill people with His Spirit and His gifts so that they alone could be the beneficiaries...

Dear Friends, Sitting in my office, my eyes scanned the bookshelves and fell upon one particular book: "Addiction and Grace" by Gerald G. May, M.D. I opened it, read the first chapter, and decided to pass along his testimony. Why? Because I’ve come to see that addiction is far more prevalent than we would like to think, limiting it (as we often do) to alcohol, drugs, porn, or sex addiction and occasionally throwing in workaholism. I found his testimony powerful and therefore share it with you! Enjoy.     “Wherever it is that your treasure lies, there you will find your heart also.” Matthew 6:21 "After many years of listening to the yearnings of people's hearts, I am convinced that all human beings have an inborn desire for God. Whether we are consciously religious or not, this desire is our deepest longing and our most precious treasure. It gives us meaning. Some of us have repressed this d...

Dear Friends, Today’s “thought” comes to you from J. I. Packer, and is taken from the book, “The Desert Experience – Personal Reflections on Finding God’s Presence and Promise in Hard Times.” This is a follow-up to my message this past Sunday, where I spoke on the need not to misinterpret God, His love, or our struggles and sufferings, by how we feel, or by looking at our circumstances. It is written by one of my favorite theologians. A man whose books have been like a soothing salve to my soul! Enjoy.   “What agenda does God have in leading His people into desert experiences? Paul declared that, "God causes all things to work together for good to those who love Him, to those who are called according to His purpose" (Rom. 8:28 NASB). The good referred to is to be understood in terms not of ease and comfort as such, but of the fulfillment of the goal stated by Paul in Ephesians 5:25-27, both for the church as a body and for every Christian as part of it: "Christ... l...