Some Thoughts on God’s Law, Grace, and Freedom in Christ
From time to time I get questions and if I think others might find it interesting, I post it to my blog post.  My goal in writing this is simple: to help us all stay on the same page biblically so we can love one another well and protect the purity of the gospel and walk in unity especially since we are doing a Seder dinner for Easter and that might confuse people not used to celebrating a feast day.  
First, words matter. I want to be on the same page so it’s not a problem of interpretation of terms.  Here are 3 of the main words (there’s more!) that I’m most concerned about what we understand when we say Torah:
Torah often refers to the first five books of the Bible (the Pentateuch), but in the Psalms and elsewhere it also means God’s entire revealed will and life-giving guidance. In Psalm 1 the blessed person delights in and meditates on Yahweh’s torah day and night…
Mitzvah / Mitzvot Direct, authoritative orders from God; specific prescriptions or injunctions (e.g., "do this" or "don't do that"). Often tied to explicit commands like those in the Ten Commandments.
Mishpat  Judgment or ordinances. God's righteous decisions, rulings, or verdicts; what the divine Judge declares right and just.

1. What does it mean that Jesus “fulfilled” the Law?
“Fulfill” (pleroo in Greek) means Jesus brought the Law and Prophets to their intended goal and completion (to complete its story). He did not throw them in the trash; He:
Perfectly obeyed them (where Israel and all of us failed).
Climatic Fulfillment: Completed their sacrificial and ceremonial system in His death. His once-for-all sacrifice ended the need for any further animal sacrifices or temple rituals (Hebrews 10:10–14)
Typological fulfillment: Brought into reality what they pointed to (temple, priesthood, festivals, sacrifices, clean/unclean, etc. all find their true meaning in Him and were “shadows” and He is the reality).
Moral and Ethic Fulfillment: Authoritatively interpreted God’s will, often intensifying the moral demands (anger as murder in the heart, lust as adultery in the heart, etc.).
Key passages:
Matthew 5:17–20 – Jesus fulfills, not abolishes, and then deepens the moral demands throughout the Sermon on the Mount.
Romans 10:4 – “Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.”
The word “end” can mean goal, culmination, and termination as a covenant of righteousness.
Galatians 3:24–25 – The law was a guardian to lead us to Christ, but now that faith has come, we are not under that guardian.
Colossians 2:16–17 – Food laws, festivals, and Sabbaths are described as shadows; Christ is the substance. Taken together, evangelical theology concludes: Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament law as a covenantal system. It still reveals God’s character and moral will, but it no longer functions as the binding covenant administration for God’s people. Our covenant is the New Covenant in Christ. The New Testament is very explicit that Christians (Jew and Gentile) are no longer “under the law” in the Mosaic, covenantal sense:
Romans 6:14 – “You are not under law but under grace.”
Romans 7:4–6 – We have “died to the law” through the body of Christ so that we may belong to another, Christ.
Galatians 5:18 – “If you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.”
These verses do not mean “no rules,” but they do mean:
The Mosaic Law is not your covenantal master, your way of being right with God, or your governing framework in the same way it was for Israel at Sinai.
 
2. What’s the role of Obedience to God’s word?  
We are called to obey God’s commands and The New Testament still calls believers to a life of obedience:
John 14:15 – “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”
1 John 2:3–4 – We know we know Him if we keep His commandments.
It's enabled by the Spirit: The law is written on believers' hearts (Jeremiah 31:33; Hebrews 8:10), and the Holy Spirit produces obedience (Romans 8:4)
It's not burdensome: "His commands are not burdensome" (1 John 5:3) when motivated by love and empowered by grace.
It's distinct from legalism: We obey because we're already accepted in Christ (not to earn acceptance). Gospel obedience is joyful and relational, not meritorious.
The question becomes: Which commandments describe God’s will for us under the New Covenant? Which leads to… Evangelicals have often distinguished the OT laws in three broad categories:
Moral law – rooted in God’s eternal character; universally binding (e.g., Ten Commandments, summarized by love for God and neighbor). The New Testament very explicitly reaffirms and intensifies the core moral content of the Old Testament:

• Idolatry – forbidden (1 Corinthians 10:14; 1 John 5:21).
• Murder / hatred – condemned (1 John 3:15; Matthew 5:21–22).
• Adultery / sexual immorality – prohibited (1 Corinthians 6:9–20; 1 Thessalonians 4:3–5).
• Stealing, lying, coveting – prohibited (Ephesians 4:25–28; Colossians 3:5–9).
• Honor parents – reaffirmed (Ephesians 6:1–3).
• Love your enemies, forgive, be generous, be truthful, reject greed, etc. – repeatedly commanded.

In other words, what we often call the moral law is absolutely binding, and in Christ it is intensified and internalized (written on the heart: Jeremiah 31:33; Hebrews 8:10).
Ceremonial law – dealing with sacrifices, priesthood, temple, clean/unclean, festivals, etc.; these pointed to Christ and are fulfilled in Him. (Hebrews 7–10). We do not bring animal sacrifices; we offer our bodies as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1). Circumcision – fulfilled in heart-circumcision (Romans 2:28–29; Philippians 3:3). Physical circumcision is not required for Gentile believers (Acts 15; Galatians 5:2–6). Clean / unclean food and ritual purity – fulfilled in Christ; the focus now is moral and spiritual purity, not dietary (Mark 7:18–23; Colossians 2:16–23).
Civil/judicial law – Israel’s national laws (penalties, land rules, theocratic regulations), specific to Israel’s life as a nation under that covenant. Stoning, civil penalties, and national regulations (e.g., land laws) applied to Israel as a theocratic nation and much of it was designed to make Israel Holy or Set apart and different from the practices of the Canaanites, so is not applicable today. Our holiness has different “Set Apart” practices that wouldn’t make sense back then! However, these laws are still good to know as they teach us about God’s hatred of sin and his concern for justice and are worth knowing and studying and are useful for teaching, reproof, correction and training in righteousness.  We have benefited as a nation as we have our own Civil/judicial law and much of it is based on Hebrew law.
Caution: This break down of law is implied in Scripture and is legitimately recognized even to the early church fathers, however, it must be used carefully. But it lines up reasonably well with how the New Testament treats different kinds of OT commands.

3. What about food and sabbath?
Mark 7:18–19 – Jesus declares all foods “clean” (Mark comments: “Thus he declared all foods clean.”).
Acts 10–11 – Peter’s vision: commanded to eat unclean animals as a sign that God now accepts Gentiles, not by dietary law but by faith in Christ.
Romans 14; 1 Corinthians 8–10 – Food choices become a matter of conscience and love, not covenant obligation. One may abstain, but must not bind others’ consciences.
Colossians 2:16–17 – “Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink…these are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.”
Conclusion:  You may voluntarily adopt certain practices (e.g., avoiding pork) as a personal discipline, cultural identification, or way of honoring God—but you must not present them as obligations for others or as making you more righteous.
Sabbath:
You are not to be judged or bound as unfaithful for how you handle Sabbath and special days (Romans 14:4–6; Colossians 2:16–17).  It is good and wise to embrace a rhythm of weekly rest and corporate worship. Whether you adopt a strict “Christian Sabbath” practice or a more flexible approach, it should be driven by love and freedom, not fear or compulsion. Additionally, we are celebrating the Passover with a Seder dinner, not out of obligation but rather as a teaching tool.
 
4. A Note on the Hebrew Roots Movement
You may hear teachings from what is called the Hebrew Roots Movement (or similar groups). These believers are often sincere and passionate about recovering the “Jewish roots” of our faith. They encourage observing Old Testament dietary laws, the biblical festivals, a Saturday Sabbath, Hebrew names for God and Jesus, and sometimes more. Their desire to take Scripture seriously and honor God’s Word is commendable. However, this movement revives the exact error the apostles confronted in the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15) and in Paul’s letter to the Galatians. It teaches that faith in Christ is good, but true maturity, full obedience, or right standing with God requires returning to large portions of the Mosaic Law; especially the ceremonial parts Jesus already fulfilled. The New Testament is very clear: those shadows (food laws, festivals, Sabbaths, circumcision) pointed to Christ and are now obsolete as covenant requirements (Colossians 2:16–17; Hebrews 8:13). When any teaching adds “Jesus plus Torah observance” as necessary for Gentile believers, it crosses the line into the very “different gospel” Paul warned against (Galatians 1:6–9; 5:2–4). The Holy Spirit does not lead us back under that old system. Personal conviction is one thing (Romans 14 gives freedom to choose), but requiring these practices for everyone else, or implying that those who don’t follow them are “incomplete Christians,” is exactly what the Judaizers did; and what the apostles rejected.

5. What Laws still apply to Evangelical Gentiles?
Some point to Acts 15:21 ('For the law of Moses has been preached in every city... and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath') to argue that Gentile believers were expected to attend synagogue and learn/obey the full Torah. However, the verse is James's explanation for why only four minimal requirements were needed: the Torah was already publicly taught everywhere, so Gentiles could access more teaching if they chose (e.g., to fellowship with or evangelize Jews). It is not a command to make full Torah observance mandatory, nor does it equate the early church with the synagogue. The council's clear decision was freedom from circumcision and ceremonial law burdens (Acts 15:10, 19, 28); salvation by grace alone.
Acts 15’s purpose was to give minimal concessions to promote unity and avoid offending Jewish believers. The decree made a low entry barrier for salvation (faith in Christ alone) while promoting harmony in mixed fellowships.
 
But there is a law that we are to obey:
 Paul speaks of believers being under the “law of Christ”:
1 Corinthians 9:20–21 – Paul says he is not “under the law” but is “under the law of Christ.”
Galatians 6:2 – “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
What is the Law of Christ?
Love for God and neighbor (Matthew 22:37–40; Romans 13:8–10).
The New Covenant ethic given by Jesus (e.g., Sermon on the Mount, Upper Room Discourse). The ethical instructions in the epistles (e.g., Romans 12–15, Ephesians 4–6, Colossians 3–4). The law of Christ is not a new set of rules to earn God’s favor; it is the Spirit-empowered life of love that actually fulfills the righteous requirement of the old law (Romans 8:3–4).
6. What about the idea of an “everlasting” ordinance and perpetual states like the priesthood or festivals?  
The Hebrew word OLAM can mean for a very long time/for it’s appointed time.  Or into the ages (often tied to the duration of a covenantal arrangement).  Not always “unchanged in the same form”. Circumcision is a good example.  In the OT it was the proper sign.  In the NT it’s not explicitly required for Gentiles and insisting on it is condemned! Gal. 5:2-4 says it’s a circumcision of the heart.  Even Abraham’s covenant came before circumcision.
 
Summary: We must gently point people to the finished work of Christ (Galatians 5:1–4);
Affirm that personal convictions (e.g., choosing to keep a feast or avoid pork) are allowed under Romans 14; as long as they are not made mandatory for everyone else and we must protect the weak in faith: Never let anyone bind consciences or imply that those who do not follow these practices are “less spiritual” or “incomplete Christians.” The Jerusalem Council (Acts 15) already settled this for Gentile believers: faith in Jesus plus nothing.
The overarching principle for NT Christians is liberty. WE have Romans 14 freedom in disputable matters.  Food and special days are particularly pointed out.  The Key is to do it unto the Lord, without judging others and causing others to stumble.  You have freedom, however, if your practice is treated as normative for all believers, it becomes a serious matter.  Dietary laws, circumcision, strict Sabbath (Saturday) observances, keeping festivals are all acceptable activities if it is not to earn salvation, forgiveness or to maintain our status with God or requiring others to also participate.  It is by faith alone, and Jesus alone that we are saved and is never Jesus plus…  If someone teaches that any of these Old Covenant practices (dietary laws, festivals, Saturday-only Sabbath, or circumcision) are required for all believers today in order to be fully pleasing to God or to stay in right standing with Him, that teaching crosses the line Paul confronted in Galatians.

Final Encouragement
Nowhere in 2,000 years of church history has the Holy Spirit ever led the Gentile church into greater adherence to the ceremonial and civil aspects of Old Testament law. From the apostles in Acts 15, through the early church fathers, the Reformation, the great awakenings, and every revival since, the consistent direction of the Spirit has been the same: deeper freedom in Christ, not a return to the old covenant shadows. In fact, the person who feels pulled to “go back to the law” for greater righteousness, acceptance, or maturity is, in the language of Romans 14, the weaker brother in faith. The stronger brother (the one resting fully in grace) is called to welcome that person with love and patience (Romans 14:1), but never to let their personal scruples become a new yoke for the whole church. Our freedom was purchased at the highest price; the blood of Jesus. Let us stand firm in that liberty (Galatians 5:1), walk by the Spirit, and extend the same grace to one another that we have received. Jesus plus nothing. Grace alone. Christ alone. That is the gospel we will protect and celebrate together.

My friend, Dr. Kevin Baird is a godly, mature man. He recently gave me permission to summarize his lengthy blog posts on tithing. Here is part two of principles 5-7.  Worth reading:    
Principle #5: The Tithe Breaks the Spirit of Mammon – It's Spiritual Warfare
The devil aims to steal, kill, and destroy, often manifesting as financial lack, evaporated resources, or wages that disappear like money in a "bag with holes" (Haggai 1:6). Just as God can stretch a dollar's value, the enemy can shrink it through the spirit of mammon—an idolized force of greed and rival to God (Matthew 6:24; Luke 16:13).  Withholding the tithe invites a curse (Malachi 3:9), exposing finances to this devouring influence as a natural consequence of breaking covenant with God. Returning the tithe, however, is an act of worship, honor, and acknowledgment that everything belongs to Him. This breaks mammon's grip, opening the windows of heaven for favor, unusual blessing, and rebuke of the devourer (Malachi 3:10–11).  In practice, tithing on the gross (before bills or obligations) positions the 90% for greater favor and extension than keeping 100%. After 40+ years in pastoral ministry, Dr. Kevin observed that faithful tithers rarely needed church financial aid; God consistently provided favor and blessing, even amid challenges like raising families. Tithing isn't dutiful obligation but joyful warfare that frees resources under God's covering.

Principle #6: Where Do We Tithe? To the Storehouse – The People Who Minister to You
Many redefine "tithe" loosely as any giving, but Scripture is clear: the tithe goes to the "storehouse" (Malachi 3:8–12). Tithing predates the Law (Abraham to Melchizedek), continues through it (to Levites and priests for their support—Numbers 18:21–28), is affirmed by Jesus (Matthew 23:23), and persists into the New Covenant (Hebrews 7).  Its unchanging purpose: support the work of ministry through people, not institutions or buildings. The tithe sustained those laboring in God's house; the Levites received from Israel, priests from Levites. Abraham tithed to Melchizedek in response to spiritual ministry. In the early church, offerings went to apostles (Acts 4:35–37); Paul taught that ministers deserve support (1 Corinthians 9:7–11; 1 Timothy 5:17–18).  Practically, return the tithe to the person/people who spiritually resource you—your local church elders/pastor who minister consistently and pray for you. They steward and distribute biblically (including to their own accountability), with separate alms for the poor and freewill offerings for other worthy causes. Buildings or operations may benefit indirectly, but the tithe prioritizes laborers in ministry, not bricks and mortar. This revelation shifted the author's practice toward faith-filled, person-centered giving.

Principle #7: The Tithe Is Not Designated – You Don't Control What Belongs to the Lord
The tithe is the Lord's—you return what's already His, with no strings attached (no designation or control). Freewill offerings can be directed (e.g., to specific ministries), but the tithe flows undesignated into the storehouse for elders to administer in financial order under God's authority.  Designating the tithe (e.g., to youth, choir, or specific programs) reflects American pragmatism and autonomy, not biblical precept—it's like doing "what was right in [our] own eyes." Releasing control liberates: you place it back in God's hands, trusting stewardship to leadership (who answer to Him if unfaithful).  Even if misuse occurs later (as the author experienced in some cases), giving as unto the Lord preserves faith and reward—He multiplies it regardless of human failure. Having served on all sides (congregant, elder, pastor, presbyter), the author tithes joyfully as obedience to God, praying for integrity in handling but resting in the transaction being to Him.  Overall, these principles transform tithing from obligation into joyful, millennial-old revelation—where God even "dares" us to test Him (Malachi 3:10) for blessing. It's heart-level obedience that reorients our view of resources entirely.  

To read the full transcripts, go to Drkevinbaird.com 

Tithing Reframed: Three Principles That Transform Giving from Obligation to Revelation
For many Christians, tithing is experienced as a necessary, but uninspiring, expense. It can feel like a spiritual tax, an HOA fee for church membership, or the price paid for programs, preaching, and pastoral care. When approached this way, tithing becomes transactional, mechanical, and easily resented. But Scripture, and lived experience, invite us to see tithing very differently. When understood through faith and revelation rather than obligation, tithing shifts from an economic exercise to a deeply spiritual practice. Here are three principles that reframe tithing from duty to discipleship.

Principle 1: Money Is Spiritual
Money is never neutral. Scripture consistently presents it as a spiritual force that reveals trust, allegiance, and worship.
Jesus warned that no one can serve both God and mammon (Matt. 6:24), identifying money not merely as a tool but as a rival master with spiritual influence. Paul echoed this when he taught that generosity releases “all grace” toward the believer (2 Cor. 9:8). Malachi went further, describing the tithe as opening the windows of heaven, rebuking the devourer, and breaking curses off one’s provision (Mal. 3:8–11).
When money is treated only as currency, tithing becomes an empty transaction. But when money is understood as spiritual, giving becomes an act of worship, trust, and alignment with God’s economy.
This is why gimmicks like “90-day tithe guarantees” miss the point. Tithing is not a financial experiment or a divine investment strategy. It is not a Ponzi scheme designed to generate returns. Without faith and revelation, it may feel disappointing. But when obedience is joined with trust, God often responds in ways that defy explanation. Tithing practiced through revelation changes everything; not because God is manipulated, but because the heart is aligned.

Principle 2: We Return the Tithe; We Don’t Give It
One of the most clarifying insights about tithing is this: the tithe was never ours to give—it already belongs to the Lord. Malachi’s accusation of robbery only makes sense if something belonging to God is being withheld. To “rob” someone is not to refuse generosity, but to keep what is rightfully theirs. This reframing removes both pride and pressure. The tithe is not a heroic act of generosity; it is a simple act of obedience. Returning it acknowledges God’s ownership over our lives, our provision, and our future.
This principle also exposes the gap between what we say and what we actually trust. Like the rich young ruler, many are willing to profess allegiance to Jesus, until obedience touches their security. The issue was never wealth itself, but trust.
Tithing becomes a mirror of the heart. It keeps our faith honest. It prevents us from singing songs of surrender while quietly retaining control. In this sense, tithing “keeps it real.”

Principle 3: Obedience Should Be Complete, Not Partial
Grace was never intended to eliminate obedience; it empowers it. While salvation is free and unearned, discipleship still involves surrender. When grace is used to avoid expectation, obedience is redefined as legalism, and spiritual disciplines, like tithing, are dismissed rather than embraced. Malachi instructs God’s people to bring all the tithe into the storehouse. The Hebrew word for “all” conveys completeness—whole, total, full.
For some, this revelation expands the understanding of income. God’s provision often comes through far more than a paycheck: bonuses, gifts, inheritances, investments, honorariums, interest, and even material blessings. Recognizing these as forms of God’s enlargement invites a fuller expression of obedience.
This is not about legalistic accounting or judgment of others. It is about responding to personal conviction with integrity and joy. Complete obedience is not a burden—it brings peace. It is an act of honor, not anxiety. Each believer must walk this out before the Lord, but the underlying question remains the same: Am I acknowledging God’s ownership fully, or selectively?

Final Thought
Tithing is not about funding a church, it’s about forming a heart. When money is seen as spiritual, the tithe as returned, and obedience as complete, giving becomes an act of faith rather than fear. And when that epiphany takes root, tithing stops being a struggle.
It becomes worship.
Summarized from Dr. Kevin Baird's facebook series post on tithing.  

Key Lessons from the Transfiguration:
The Transfiguration of Jesus (Matthew 17:1-9; Mark 9:2-8; Luke 9:28-36) stands as one of the most breathtaking moments in the Gospels. On a high mountain, Jesus is dramatically changed before Peter, James, and John: His face shines like the sun, His clothes become dazzling white, Moses and Elijah appear to converse with Him about His coming death, and a voice from heaven declares, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him!" This wasn't just a spectacular display, it was a divine revelation meant to strengthen the disciples (and us) for the road ahead. Here are the most important practical and spiritual lessons we can carry from this event into our daily lives.

1. Jesus Is Infinitely More Glorious Than We Often Realize
In our everyday experience, we encounter Jesus in His humility; teaching crowds, washing feet, enduring suffering. But the Transfiguration peels back the veil to reveal the divine Son whose glory will one day fill the whole earth. It calls us to worship Him with fresh awe, remembering that the One we follow is the radiant King of kings.
2. Listen to Him Above All Else
Peter, overwhelmed, suggests building three shelters for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah; a well-meaning but misplaced impulse to prolong the moment. The Father's voice essentially tells him to zip it: "This is my beloved Son... listen to him!" The clear message? Jesus is supreme. The Law (Moses) and the Prophets (Elijah) point to Him and they are great, but we must prioritize His words and obey Him above every other voice, tradition, or even powerful spiritual experience.
3. We Must Come Down the Mountain
Mountain-top moments: times of intense joy, clarity, or closeness to God are real and precious. Yet they are not the destination. The disciples had to descend into the valley of ordinary life, service, suffering, and mission. Jesus leads us back down to love people, carry our cross, and follow faithfully through trials. True glory emerges not from escaping life, but from surrendering to it in obedience.
4. Faith Grows Through Cumulative Exposure to Christ, Not Just One Event
The Transfiguration didn't instantly perfect the disciples; they still stumbled, doubted, and fled. Real transformation comes from ongoing relationship with Jesus: daily prayer, immersion in Scripture, fellowship in community, and consistent obedience. These steady disciplines sustain us through dark seasons and deepen our trust.
5. Suffering and Glory Are Inextricably Linked
Moses and Elijah spoke with Jesus about His "departure" (exodus/death) in Jerusalem. The path to resurrection glory always passes through the cross. For us, trials refine faith, shape character, and prepare us for future glory. As Peter later writes, suffering precedes glory—both for Christ and for those who follow Him.
6. We Have Something Even More Sure Than Experiences
Peter was an eyewitness to this glory, yet in 2 Peter 1:19 he calls the prophetic word of Scripture "more fully confirmed" and reliable. Personal experiences can fade or be questioned, but God's Word shines like a lamp in a dark place until the day dawns and the morning star (Christ) rises fully in our hearts.  

It invites us to behold Jesus' majesty, listen to Him obediently, and follow Him faithfully back into real life; trusting that the glory glimpsed on the mountain is our certain future inheritance.

These two books by Philip Yancey form a pastoral theology of pain, disappointment, and faith. I’ll summarize each individually, then give a combined overview, maybe like a cliff notes. Both of these books have helped me to minister and be ministered to. I first discovered Yancey through a missionary who lost his 5 year old son while serving in Africa.  This book made all the difference in the world to him. I highlight my books and then I summarize them into a document for easy reference later (and as a reminder of what I learned), here are some of my observations.  I feel like it is a privilege to introduce our church family to his books, you’ll recognize some of these thoughts in previous messages I have done, he had a huge influence in my life. I have a ton of his books, feel free to borrow (then return!)
Disappointment with God — Philip Yancey
Core Question: Why does God often seem silent, absent, or unresponsive—especially when He could intervene?
Central Thesis
We are disappointed with God not because He fails, but because our expectations of how God should act are often unbiblical, immature, or shaped by cultural assumptions rather than Scripture.
Three Major Sources of Disappointment
1. God is Silent
People expect God to speak clearly, audibly, and immediately.
In Scripture, God often speaks rarely, quietly, or indirectly.
Silence is not absence; it is often an invitation to trust rather than control.
“The same God who parted the Red Sea also went silent for 400 years.”
Key insight: Silence forces faith to mature.
2. God is Invisible
We expect God to be obvious and undeniable.
Instead, God hides Himself just enough to preserve human freedom.
Overwhelming visibility would coerce belief, not invite love.
Illustration Yancey uses:
If God were as obvious as gravity, faith would be unnecessary—and love would be impossible.
3. God Seems Unfair
We expect justice now, not eventually.
We compare outcomes instead of trusting God’s larger redemptive plan.
Scripture consistently postpones final justice to the end of the story, not the middle.
“God’s justice is certain—but it is not always speedy.”
The Big Takeaway from Disappointment with God
God refuses to operate as a vending machine, genie, or cosmic micromanager.
Faith matures when we move from: “God serves my agenda” to “I trust God’s character even when I don’t understand His actions”
 
Where Is God When It Hurts? — Philip Yancey
Core Question: If God is good and powerful, why does He allow suffering?
Central Thesis
God does not eliminate suffering in this world; instead, He enters into it, redeems it, and uses it to form Christlike character.
Three Types of Suffering
1. Pain as Warning
Physical pain functions like a fire alarm.
Without pain, we destroy ourselves (Yancey uses the example of leprosy).
Pain reveals that something is wrong—not that God is cruel.
Key idea:
A painless world would be far more dangerous than a painful one.
2. Pain as Consequence
Many forms of suffering result from human freedom (sin, poor choices, injustice).
God allows consequences because freedom without consequences is meaningless.
Love requires freedom. Freedom includes the possibility of pain.
3. Pain as Mystery
Some suffering has no clear explanation this side of eternity.
The Bible does not offer tidy answers—Job never gets an explanation.
God gives His presence, not a spreadsheet.
God’s Greatest Answer to Pain: The Incarnation
God does not stand distant; He suffers with us. Jesus experiences:
Betrayal
Physical pain
Emotional abandonment
Injustice
Death
“Christianity is the only religion where God Himself bears the cost of suffering.”
The Cross as the Lens for All Suffering
The worst evil (the crucifixion) became the greatest good (redemption).
Therefore, present pain is not proof of God’s absence, but often the context of His deepest work.
Which one is right for me to start with reading:  

Disappointment with God	Where Is God When It Hurts?
Focuses on unmet expectations	Focuses on unavoidable suffering
Asks why God seems absent	Asks why God allows pain
Corrects false assumptions	Offers theological grounding
Emphasizes trust	Emphasizes incarnation

Together they teach this:
God may not meet our expectations—but He has met our deepest need.

As we approach the new year, many of us feel a deep calling to draw closer to God, seek His guidance, and intercede powerfully for our lives, families, church, and world. That's why we're inviting our entire church family to join in a 21-day Daniel Fast, beginning on January 1, 2026, and concluding on January 22, 2025—just in time to launch us into our intensive 24-hour weekend prayer retreat starting the 23rd evening. This fast isn't about dieting or willpower alone; it's a biblical act of humility, consecration, and focused prayer. By setting aside certain foods, we deny our flesh to sharpen our spiritual senses, hear God's voice more clearly, and prepare our hearts for a breakthrough encounter with Him during the retreat.
What Is the Daniel Fast? The Daniel Fast is a partial fast inspired by the prophet Daniel in the Bible. In Daniel 1:8-16, Daniel and his friends refused the king's rich foods and wine, choosing instead vegetables and water to honor God. After 10 days, they appeared healthier and wiser than others. Later, in Daniel 10:2-3, Daniel mourned and sought God for three weeks (21 days): "I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips." During this time, he received profound revelation and angelic visitation. Modern Daniel Fasts typically last 21 days and follow a plant-based eating plan, avoiding animal products, processed foods, sugars, and more. The goal is spiritual: to restrict "pleasures" as an act of worship, while increasing prayer and Bible reading.
 
Daniel Fast Guidelines: 
Foods to Eat and Avoid 
Focus on whole, natural foods God created. Drink plenty of water!
Foods to Enjoy:

• All fruits (fresh, frozen, dried without added sugar—e.g., apples, bananas, berries, avocados)
• All vegetables (fresh, frozen—e.g., broccoli, spinach, potatoes, carrots)
• Whole grains (brown rice, quinoa, oats, barley—unsweetened)
• Legumes (beans, lentils, peas)
• Nuts and seeds (unsalted)
• Healthy oils (olive, coconut, avocado—in moderation)
• Herbs, spices, salt, pepper
• Beverages: Water (primary), unsweetened herbal teas (some allow sparingly), 100% fruit/vegetable juices (limited)

Foods to Avoid:

• Meat and animal products 
• Sweeteners (sugar, honey, artificial sweeteners)
• Processed foods, refined grains (white rice, white flour)
• Fried foods, solid fats
• Caffeine (coffee, black tea), alcohol
• Sugary drinks, sodas

Tip: Read labels carefully. If you're pregnant, nursing, or have health concerns, use common sense and consult your doctor and modify as needed—the heart of fasting matters most.
Why Fast for 21 Days Before Our Prayer Retreat? (Still do it even if you aren't going)
Our 24-hour prayer retreat on January 23-24 will be a sacred time of united intercession, worship, and seeking God's direction for the year ahead. The preceding Daniel Fast will:

• Humble us before God (as Daniel did)
• Heighten our spiritual sensitivity
• Build discipline and dependence on Him
• Unite us as a church body in sacrifice and prayer

By the time we gather for the retreat, we'll arrive with softened hearts, free from distractions, ready for God to move powerfully.
Practical Tips to Succeed

1. Pray First: Ask the Holy Spirit to guide and strengthen you.
2. Plan Meals: Stock up on approved foods. Simple ideas: Oatmeal with fruit for breakfast; salads, stir-fries, or soups for lunch/dinner; smoothies or nuts for snacks.
3. Increase Prayer & Scripture: Replace meal prep time with Bible reading and prayer. Journal what God speaks.
4. Stay Hydrated: Aim for half your body weight in ounces of water daily. Make sure you take a mineral supplement with potassium and sodium, it helps!
5. Community Support: Get some accountability and even share recipes and encouragements or better yet, do a few meals together.  
6. Grace Over Perfection: If you slip, repent and continue—God honors your heart.

Let's commit together: For 21 days, we'll say no to certain foods so we can say yes to more of God. Imagine the breakthroughs awaiting us at the retreat! Are you in? Sign up here to join this journey. May the Lord meet us powerfully as we seek Him.“When you seek me with all your heart, I will be found by you.” (Jeremiah 29:13-14) 

I’ve been reading Erik Larson’s The Splendid and the Vile, the story of Churchill’s first year as Prime Minister. One passage stopped me cold: Hitler, in speech after speech, insisted the war was entirely Churchill’s fault. Britain could have peace tomorrow, he claimed, if only that one warmongering drunk in London would step aside. Germany, Hitler said, had no interest in the British Empire at all. Sound familiar? Hitler’s propaganda minister, Joseph Goebbels, perfected techniques that feel eerily current:

• Pick one villain and blame everything on him (or her).
• Repeat simple slogans (lies) until they feel like common sense.
• Accuse your opponents of the very things you are doing (call others “fascists” while crushing dissent).
• Flood every channel with the same message until truth itself feels exhausted (or until people don’t know what the truth is so they give up trying to discern).
• Portray your side as the real victim, no matter how much power you hold.

In the 1940s those lies came by radio and newsreel. Today they arrive in our pockets every few seconds, tailored to what the algorithm already knows we’ll click. As Christians, we’re called to be people of truth. Jesus said the truth sets us free (John 8:32), and Paul warned that in the last days people would gather teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear (2 Tim 4:3-4). We don’t fix lies with better lies. We fix them with clearer truth, spoken in love. So the next time you see a headline, a meme, or a pastor-turned-pundit blaming everything on one party, one billionaire, one “woke” agenda, or one “fascist” leader—pause. Ask:

• Is this the whole story?
• Who benefits if I’m afraid and angry?
• Would this claim survive the light of Scripture and the fruit of the Spirit?

Churchill refused to trade truth for a quiet life. May we, in our own noisy moment, do the same. “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.” – John 17:17

Have you ever wondered how people in the Old Testament were saved—how they were declared righteous before a holy God? It can appear that it was through their own personal righteousness and law keeping, however, the same gospel that saves us today was at work even then, by faith.
 
1. It Was Always About Faith-  The Bible makes it crystal clear: Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness (Genesis 15:6). This happened before the Law, before circumcision, before the temple. Abraham simply trusted God’s promise; and God declared him right with Him. That’s the heartbeat of the gospel: faith alone.
2. The Law Showed the Need, It Didn’t Save- God gave Israel the Law through Moses to reveal His holiness and our sin. But no one was saved by keeping it perfectly; because no one could. As Paul later wrote, “by the works of the law no one will be justified” (Galatians 2:16). The Law was like a mirror; it showed the dirt, but it couldn’t clean us.
3. Sacrifices Pointed to Jesus- The blood of bulls and goats could never take away sin (Hebrews 10:4). So why all the sacrifices? They were shadows; aids pointing to the Lamb of God who would take away the sin of the world. Every altar, every drop of blood, every Day of Atonement was a signpost saying: “One day, the final sacrifice is coming.”
4. Jesus Fulfilled the Law; So is It Still Binding? Jesus said, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them” (Matthew 5:17). He perfectly obeyed every command, bore the curse for our failure (Galatians 3:13), and became the final sacrifice. So is the Law still binding on us?

• Ceremonial laws (sacrifices, feasts, priesthood) are fulfilled; Jesus is our Passover Lamb, our High Priest, our Sabbath rest. We don’t repeat the shadows now that the Reality has come.
• Civil laws for ancient Israel aren’t our national code, but their underlying principles of justice still teach us God’s heart (and wisely, our nation has built many of our laws on the Jewish civil law).
• Moral law (the Ten Commandments, love God and neighbor) remains; not to save us, but because it reflects God’s unchanging character. Jesus summed it up: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15). We obey from salvation, not for it. We obey out of gratitude and love for a good Savior.

5. Repentance, Faith, and God’s Mercy- Think of David after his great sin. He didn’t run to more sacrifices; he ran to God in repentance: “Create in me a clean heart, O God” (Psalm 51:10) and then he says: “you do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it, but my sacrifice is a broken and contrite heart”... Or Habakkuk’s famous line: “The righteous shall live by his faith” (Habakkuk 2:4). Old Testament saints were saved the same way we are; by grace through faith, looking forward to the Messiah we now see clearly in Jesus.
So What Does This Mean for Us?

1. The gospel isn’t Plan B. God didn’t scramble after the Old Testament failed. The promise of a Savior runs from Genesis 3:15 all the way to Revelation. This is actually our December series!
2. We’re part of the same story. Noah, Abraham, Rahab, David—they’re not distant heroes. They’re family (and some of them were as jacked up as us). Saved by the same blood, the same grace.
3. So should I ignore 75% of the Bible (the Old Testament- Tenach)? No, because Jesus says the Old Testament is about him.  John 5:39. We skip that, we miss the backstory of our Savior.  It’s the foundation.  Secondly, Paul says that all scripture is God breathed and useful for teaching, rebuking, correction and training in righteousness (2 Tim. 3:16) and that includes Leviticus! (teaches that sin is serious).  So, our practice of doing a Seder is valuable, because it is a teaching tool about Jesus. 

Let's blow our minds on God’s Foreknowledge:
When we read in 1 Peter 1:1-2 that believers are “elect…according to the foreknowledge of God,” we might wonder how God’s choosing and our free choices fit together. Quantum mechanics offers a mind-bending analogy to challenge our simplistic views. Imagine every object in the universe having a “wave function,” a kind of blueprint describing its state. When objects share a connection—like a mutual origin—they can become “entangled,” instantly affecting each other across vast distances (non-locality), like two people holding hands across light-years.
Stranger still, experiments suggest entanglement can link past and future, meaning events in the future can influence the past in ways we can’t fully grasp. If God, at creation, knows every wave function and how they’re shaped by every free decision across time, His foreknowledge could encompass all history in a single moment—without negating our free will.
This isn’t to explain how God works but to show our human minds can’t fully contain His ways. We often assume we should understand everything about God, but a God we could fully explain would be too small. The real God, who knows us as His elect through His infinite foreknowledge, is far greater than our limited minds can fathom—inviting awe, not answers.
check out this great post from a super smart dude who has this stuff figured out:  https://www.kirkdurston.com/blog/foreknow

Weaponized Empathy and Compassion: A Biblical Christian Perspective
We live in a world increasingly shaped by emotion.  I often see well-meaning and “good” people go sideways in what they stand for and I can’t help but think what a brilliant deception it is to weaponize empathy and compassion.  Especially amongst my “tribe”. However, Christians are called to discern the difference between genuine compassion rooted in God’s love and a distorted version wielded as a tool for manipulation. Scripture warns us to "test the spirits to see whether they are from God" (1 John 4:1), and today, we see a troubling trend: the left has weaponized empathy and compassion to control narratives, silence dissent, and push agendas that often stray from biblical truth. As followers of Christ, we must recognize this tactic, understand its workings, and combat it with the wisdom and grace of the Holy Spirit.  As I reflected on it this morning, I decided to put my thoughts into a blog post, mostly for my own thought process but maybe there is one or two who might find it useful.
What Weaponized Empathy Looks Like

1. Moral Framing & Narrative Control 
   • Definition: Issues are framed as a stark battle between good and evil, leaving little room for godly nuance.
   • Tactic: One group’s suffering is elevated into a universal moral crisis, tugging at heartstrings to override reason.
   • Effect: Questioning this narrative risks being branded as "heartless" or "unloving," a label that echoes the Pharisees’ judgment of Jesus (John 7:24: "Stop judging by mere appearances but instead judge correctly"). Debate is stifled, and truth is sidelined.
2. Selective Storytelling 
   • Definition: Vivid personal stories—viral videos or tearful testimonials—become the sole basis of an argument.
   • Tactic: A few emotionally charged anecdotes are amplified, while counter-examples or data are ignored.
   • Effect: Our God-given empathy locks onto these tales, but we must not be like the person in Proverbs 14:15 "The simple believe anything, but the prudent give thought to their steps." Analytical scrutiny is crowded out by sentiment.
3. Shaming & Social Pressure
   • Definition: Dissent is cast as a moral failing, you see it in the crowd’s condemnation of the accused in Jesus’ time.
   • Tactic: Individuals or institutions are publicly shamed or labeled "bigoted" or "complicit" for questioning the dominant narrative or they simple become the loudest voice.
   • Effect: Fear of reputational ruin silences voices, much like the fear that kept many from confessing Christ (John 12:42-43). Conformity becomes the path of least resistance.
4. Emotional Contagion via Social Media
   • Definition: Emotionally charged content—memes, videos, hashtags—spreads rapidly through algorithms.
   • Tactic: Outrage or pity is stoked, keeping the collective mood inflamed.
   • Effect: Calm reflection, a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), is drowned out by a relentless emotional tide.

The Biblical Antidote: Building Resilient Faith
As Christians, we are called to love our neighbors as ourselves (Mark 12:31), but this love must be grounded in truth (Ephesians 4:15). Here’s how to recognize and neutralize weaponized empathy:

1. Cultivate Critical Empathy
   • Pray for discernment to see when empathy is being steered toward a single narrative. Ask, “Whose stories aren’t being told? What does Scripture say?” Seek the full counsel of God’s Word.
2. Practice Clear Collaborative Thinking
   • Embrace the wisdom to hold two truths: acknowledge real suffering while scrutinizing solutions. As Ecclesiastes 7:18 teaches, “The man who fears God will avoid all extremes.” Use “Both/And” thinking rather than divisive “Either/Or” frames.
3. Fact-Check & Contextualize
   • Before reacting, verify facts with a Berean-like spirit (Acts 17:11), examining evidence against Scripture. Distinguish systemic issues from moral indictments that lack godly foundation.
4. Limit Exposure to Emotional Echo Chambers
   • Rotate your media intake across perspectives, seeking wisdom from godly counsel (Proverbs 15:22). I stopped listening to legacy media years ago as the bias is so blatant.  In fact, for a season, I watched Al Jazeera because at least they admitted their bias.  X is a great source of info as long as you don't fall into the echo chamber that is on that platform through curated input.  Take “inquiry breaks” to pray, journal, or discuss with believers of differing views, fostering unity in Christ.  
5. Develop Emotional Self-Regulation
   • Use spiritual disciplines—prayer, pausing before responding—to guard your heart (Proverbs 4:23). Name your emotions honestly (“I feel anger”) rather than succumbing to unrighteous judgment (“They’re evil”).
6. Foster Open Dialogue
   • Engage others with humility and questions, as Jesus did (Luke 2:46), asking, “What led you to this view?” This diffuses shaming and invites the Holy Spirit to guide the conversation.

Do Moral Rules Really Protect Us? What History Says About Sex, Culture, and Collapse
I read this fascinating paper based on a massive book written back in the 1930s.  An Oxford anthropologist named J.D. Unwin studied 86 different civilizations and asked a simple but profound question: Does sexual freedom affect how cultures rise and fall? His book Sex and Culture is over 600 pages, but his findings are surprisingly clear—and eerily relevant for us today.
What Unwin Found

• Sexual restraint → thriving cultures. Every time a society valued sexual self-control (especially waiting until marriage and keeping lifelong commitments), that culture grew in creativity, strength, and prosperity.
• Sexual freedom → cultural collapse. Whenever a society abandoned sexual restraint, within three generations that culture slid into decline—losing its energy, rational thinking, belief in God, and eventually collapsing.
• The strongest combination. The cultures that flourished most required premarital chastity and lifelong monogamy. Only three societies in history ever achieved this, but they led the way in art, science, architecture, and more.
• The time lag. Change didn’t happen overnight. It usually took about 100 years (three generations) for the effects—good or bad—to fully show.

How This Relates to Us
Western society experienced its own sexual revolution starting in the late 1960s. By the early 2000s, waiting until marriage had become the exception rather than the rule, divorce and cohabitation were widely accepted, and lifelong marriage was no longer the cultural norm.
According to Unwin’s timeline, we are now entering the generations where decline should be most visible—and many trends fit the prediction:

• Decline of lifelong marriage. Modified monogamy (serial relationships) is now the norm.
• Decline of faith. Belief in God has dropped sharply, while superstition and “post-truth” thinking are rising.
• Decline of reason. Rationalism is being replaced by relativism and emotion-driven “truth.”

Why It Matters
Unwin didn’t claim to know why this pattern repeats, but he noticed that when sexual energy is restrained, it seems to be redirected into building families, communities, and civilizations. When it isn’t, cultures turn inward, focusing only on personal pleasure until they eventually lose their vitality.
Modern researcher Mary Eberstadt adds another layer: the breakdown of the family has left people without a strong sense of identity, fueling loneliness, mental health struggles, and social division. In her view, the unraveling of family life—sparked by the sexual revolution—is at the root of many of today’s cultural crises.
A Takeaway for Today
What if moral laws, especially around sexuality, aren’t about restricting joy but about protecting it? Just like operating instructions for a machine, they may look limiting on the surface but are actually designed for our long-term good.
Unwin’s research shows that history repeats itself with “monotonous regularity.” Every culture that loosened its sexual restraints eventually collapsed. If that pattern holds, we’re on a dangerous path. But if we take these lessons seriously, perhaps we can choose a better road.

Picture this: God sets a divine calendar with seven spectacular feasts, each a dazzling rehearsal for His grand redemptive story. In fact, these “appointed times” literally mean “dress rehearsals”. So, in a sense, in a premillennial dispensational view, these Feasts of the Lord (Leviticus 23) are like cosmic Post-it notes, reminding us of His perfect plan.
Imagine the Feasts of the Lord as a divine playbook, each step perfectly timed to God’s rhythm. The Spring Feasts? Oh, Jesus nailed it!

• Passover: He stepped in as the spotless Lamb, sacrificed right on cue (1 Corinthians 5:7).
• Unleavened Bread: His sinless life and burial show he is the bread of life (1 Corinthians 5:8).
• Firstfruits: He arose up from the grave like the first ripe barley, right on schedule (1 Corinthians 15:20).
• Pentecost: The Holy Spirit arrived with a fiery flourish in Acts 2.

This dazzling sequence suggests God loves a good pattern. If the Spring Feasts were fulfilled with such pizzazz, why not expect the Fall Feasts to also “fall” into place for the Rapture and Second Coming? Yom Teruah, with its trumpet fanfare, feels like the perfect moment for the Church to take flight. Yom Teruah, the Feast of Trumpets, is like the ultimate cosmic surprise party, and here’s why it’s a match for the Rapture:

• This feast kicks off with a blast of the shofar, a ram’s horn that sounds like heaven’s own signal (Leviticus 23:24). The Rapture? It’s got its own trumpet solo: “The Lord Himself will descend with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). It seems likely that those shofar blasts are the signal for believers to meet Jesus in the clouds?
• Yom Teruah starts when the new moon is spotted, earning it the nickname “the feast no one knows the day or hour.” Sound familiar? Jesus teased, “Of that day and hour no one knows” (Matthew 24:36). It’s like God’s winking at us, saying, “Keep your eyes peeled for a sneaky Rapture!”
• Yom Teruah is a day of shouting and celebration, perfect for a heavenly gathering where the Church waltzes off to meet the Bridegroom.

The other Fall Feasts—Yom Kippur and Sukkot—might star in later acts, like Israel’s big “aha” moment or Jesus setting up His millennial reign. But Yom Teruah’s trumpet vibe steals the spotlight for a Rapture. Some suggest Jesus already fulfilled all seven feasts spiritually. They propose His Second Coming might skip the Fall Feasts and land on, say, Nisan 10, echoing His Triumphal Entry like a nostalgic encore. But the pushback is that the Spring Feasts weren’t just spiritually fulfilled; they happened in real-time, step-by-step, like a divine game plan. Passover? Nailed it. Firstfruits? Right on cue. If God loves a good sequence, why wouldn’t He save the Fall Feasts for a literal encore? Plus, Zechariah 14:16 hints we’ll be celebrating these feasts in the Millennium. The feasts can be fulfilled spiritually now and literally later.
Regardless, here’s the conclusion:  This might be our conviction but hold it lightly, but that doesn’t mean we don’t do anything.  There’s enough mystery to keep the Devil in the dark, but enough revelation that keeps us on our toes, ready.  I’m just sayin’, I’m putting off major dental work till after the fall festivals… Jesus is coming back, and it feels like He’s just around the corner! So, let’s live like we are ready and waiting for the best party ever, with our lamps lit (Matthew 25:1-13), ready for the Bridegroom whenever He calls.

So here is how I start:
Immerse in the Text
Sunday night, I read the passage (e.g., Proverbs 4:1-7) multiple times without a goal, just to let it sink in and feel familiar.
Pray for Guidance
Early Monday or Wednesday, I pray in the sanctuary, asking the Holy Spirit what He wants to teach His people through the text. This aligns my heart with God’s.
Analyze the Passage
Reread with purpose to grasp context, tone, and flow. Context is king: Understand the book’s theme (e.g., 1 Peter’s hope in suffering), audience, and its place in Scripture. In IBS (inductive Bible study) it is the observation portion with the goal of answering: Who? What? Where? When? Why? How?  Who is speaking, why and to whom? etc.
Note impressions: What stands out? Look for patterns (e.g., repeated words like “listen” in Proverbs).
Exegete the text first without commentaries, then consult resources (e.g., I like David Guzik with Enduring Word) to ensure accuracy. This is the Interpretation phase of IBS. What does the text mean?  What is the authors intent to its original readers. What's the plain reading understanding? Is there symbolism used?
Distill the Big Idea
Craft a single, memorable truth that bridges the text to today’s audience (e.g., “Pursuing wisdom through discipleship honors God”).
Test it: Is it biblical? Applicable? Christ-centered? Does it reflect the gospel’s redemptive arc? Doug excels at pointing to Jesus, especially in Old Testament texts.
Take a Break
After 3-5 hours of study and prep, let the Big Idea and outline marinate for a day or two. I work mornings when my mind is clearest.
Build the Sermon Outline
Organize for clarity:
Introduction: Start with a hook (e.g., a story about all of us needing affirmation, like my “Power of Appreciation” sermon, tying to Jesus’ being affirmed in Matthew 3:17). Connect to a felt need to engage hearts.
Main Application Points: Develop 2-4 application points from the text, each with exegesis, application, and a gospel connection and how it points to Jesus. This is how it impacts my life today. This is a super important stage to really pray about.  
Conclusion: End with a call to action challenge or vivid illustration (e.g., my Proverbs 3:5-6 rope analogy).

Now that the bones are developed, you need to put the connecting tissue and "skin" on so spend time thinking about how to deliver it in a way that will be received.  The best theology can be delivered dryly!  Put your personality in it because you are preaching God's word! Use SHARPS (Story, Humor, Anecdotes, Rhyme, Pictures, Symbols) to make it sticky and relatable.
Apply for Transformation
Move listeners from understanding to action, addressing heart, mind, and behavior. As Billy Graham advised (per Doug), preach to the heart, mind, and back to the heart.
Refine and Practice
My friend Andy suggests manuscripting early on, but I use a hybrid of bullet points and written sections.
As an auditory learner, I preach the sermon aloud Saturday night at church to test flow and rewrite if needed. Let your personality shine—don’t mimic Alistair Begg or MacArthur or whoever resonates with you.
Keep it simple: People remember 1-2 points only usually. Make them sticky with SHARPS.
Be purposeful about getting rid of filler words (Um’s) and learn to pause for dramatic impact.  I tend to run through instead of letting people ruminate on a point.
Trust the Spirit- Once you've been a workman approved, it's Jesus' job to convict people so the burden is removed from your shoulders! So enjoy the delivery.
Warning:  be faithful to the scripture, context and intent. Too many preachers "isogete", meaning they take a premise and find a text to prove it.  Exegesis means we extract the meaning and apply it.  Oh, remember your audience too.  You'd approach teens differently than adults, etc. 

Hey church!  Here's all the news fit to print at FSC..  I try to make it skimmable.  

Worth watching:  I was sent this conversation with Grok Ai. Grok 4 now works at a higher level than any PHD on the planet (genius) and spoiler alert: it concluded that evolution is about as likely as a chocolate teapot and that Christianity checks all the boxes for an Intelligent Designer. Boom!
 
As well, if you are interested in eschatology (study of end times) Jimmy Evans lays out a “possible” rapture window as soon as September 25 (yes, this year!). Before we all start marking our calendars in disappearing ink, remember—Jesus told us to stay ready, not to play hide-and-seek with prophecy dates. So pack your spiritual snack bag, keep your eyes peeled for His return, look but hold loosely to videos like this and let’s journey together with excitement.
Worth reading: Parents, this page needs to be bookmarked!  It gives parents guides to all kinds of conversations with your kids like Hearing God’s voice, Dealing with anxiety or Pornography.
Worth Listening to: An excellent Billy Graham message
Missions vision:
Each year we launch our Major Missions Project—our way of obeying Acts 1:8 by sending God’s love in ever-widening circles: from our own “Jerusalem,” to our “Judea,” on through “Samaria,” and out to the unreached 10/40 Window (the “uttermost parts” between 10 degrees and 40 latitude on the globe). We’ve “adopted” the Kurdish people as our heart’s focus—please pray for our small teaching team heading to the Middle East next month! Last year we stayed close to home with the Chrome Project in Marianna (our Judea), but in 2025 we’re all in on the new Sound Discipleship Program and launching in a fresh location (our Jerusalem). Next year, we’ll return full steam to our unreached Kurdish outreach (.1% Christian).
For this year’s MMP, our goals are twofold: pay down the $237K mortgage on our new facility and buy a used box truck (with a lift gate!) for our food pantry—which already feeds 300 families each week but is bursting at the seams. Please prayerfully consider how you can join in advancing our mission. It truly is a joy to serve together—especially because, if Jesus does show up on September 25th, what good would a big bank balance have been? ?If God puts it on your heart, put on the memo line: mortgage or MMP.
Speaking of Generosity: I read that the narrative by which we filter our world determines how we react. If we think this world is all we have, then we’ll tend to attempt to squeeze everything out of it. If it is a blip in advance of an eternity in paradise, we’ll act accordingly, especially when it comes to our “treasure”.  Thanks for your faithful giving! Here is a PSA:  We have new out of the box giving links
Crypto: https://platform.engiven.com/give/17158/widget/31558
Stocks: https://platform.engiven.com/give/17158/widget/31559

Up and Coming:
Mini Missions trip at Camp Impact.  As a pastor, I have been blessed to do several retreats at low or no cost. I would like to repay the favor forward to other pastors and their families.   I asked my brother-in-law who owns camp impact if I could host a retreat for pastors and he said yes. So we are going to do a mini missions trip Oct. 19-21 (two nights) where we travel Sunday from here and return Tuesday afternoon.  I need volunteers to clean up, check in families, act as monitors for the swim area and to put together a couple of family-friendly games. There will be a lot of free time.  If you are interested in this no cost missions trip, please email me and we can serve these families together.    

1 Peter:  in September we are diving deep into 1 Peter.  Here is a blog post entry to see what’s ahead and get ready!
Marriage class: For my most important horizontal relationship, I want great. Not just settle for good. That means intentionality.  I read books on being a better husband and I try to attend a marriage conference and a retreat every year with Robin.  At the end of August we have our Adventures in Marriage conference which is designed to give the tools to learn how to communicate (the #1 indicator of a vibrant marriage).  It’s free and if you complete it, you get $50! Win! Or Oct.3-5 Weekend to remember.
Prayer Opportunities:  Check out Phyllis’s blog post on upcoming opportunities. The Tabernacle experiences is amazing.  My favorite ministry opportunity is praying at 8am Sundays and during the services.
 
What goes through a pastor’s head:
Worth Considering: 10% post pandemic still ONLY watch online. In fact, 25 million Americans primarily watch only online! Now, I am not against online experiences, but you do miss out on elements of community. Check out this article though on the real purpose of online church.  But also consider this…  A study by Crossroads Church also found that there are 73 million people in America who are interested in a conversation about Jesus and would simultaneously not come to a church building on Sunday morning to have that conversation. This new perspective changes the initial invitation. Instead of inviting people to an event on Sunday morning, they can invite them into content and community first. Don’t underestimate this. It’s a game-changer, and it’s giving churches a new sense of reach and impact.  This means sharing a particularly impactful message on your social media feed can be incredibly helpful.  I read books and watch messages all the time that others suggest on their posts, saying what impact it made, so if something about your faith experience impacts you (a message, a post and event), post and comment. Also, EVERYONE I talk to says they looked at the google reviews, then watched online first before coming to the church.  Our online presence matters, so please give a google 5-star review and post messages to your feeds! It’s just the way the world operates now.
 
Friendly Reminder: Along the same lines, there is a growing trend across our nation: church attendance has fallen to its lowest ebb in decades, with fewer than half of believers gathering weekly. Yet Scripture reminds us to “not neglect to meet together” (Hebrews 10:25). It is not optional but essential—for encouragement, accountability, and the deepening of our faith. When we choose convenience over community, we rob ourselves of the strength, hope, and wisdom God provides through worship and fellowship. I challenge each of us: for your own spiritual health and the flourishing of our church family, let’s reclaim the habit of faithfully gathering, not out of obligation, but because our hearts truly need the life and light of Christ among His people. Check out this interesting article on weekly church attendance.

I was observing my new community of Christian friends listening to everyone’s God stories at a team BBQ shortly after we returned from a mission trip. Serving and praying together had drawn us all closer to the Lord and each other. Though I knew the importance of prayer, I often struggled to be disciplined in prayer. So, I prayed “Lord, how do I keep this deeper relationship with you going?” He then gave me a picture in my head of bicycle racers. They can increase their pace when riding in the pack because the group produces a draft.
Then He said to me “keep pedaling”. Whether I am alone or am with fellow Christians I needed to persevere in prayer. I have come to love praying with others, I do not neglect my own prayer time, but praying with others has many benefits including how the time speeds by and the joy and relief found in praying for others and sharing my burdens.
I have been told one objection to corporate prayer is that it was a personal time with God. While this is true it is also very much a part of Christian community. When we pray together, we know from Matthew 18:19, He is right there with us. We see He wants us to pray together as the disciples did in Acts 1:14. James 5:16 shows being vulnerable in prayer breaks strong holds, and we become one as described in John 17:21.
Feather Sound Church has many prayer opportunities including personal and corporate prayer. Visit Feather Sound Church - Prayer for events, monthly and weekly prayer times.
Since community is so important, we have scheduled three prayer adventures. Two Day Trips, The Tabernacle in the Wilderness; The Bible Museum in Tarpon Springs this Fall and The Jesus Film Project in Orlando in the Spring. Full details will be available soon on the FSC website.
The third adventure is on January 23-24, 2026, we are having a 24hr Prayer Retreat at Lakewood Retreat in Brooksville. It will be a time to focus your heart, renew your spirit, and restore your vision for all God has in store for 2026. The cost is $95/person includes lodging and meals. Registration and full details will be posted soon.
At the beginning of this article, I mentioned how a mission trip can draw us closer to the Lord through prayer and serving. Serving is another important part of growing as a Christian. Will you please consider joining us in prayer on Sudays once or twice a month? We pray over the message and congregation in the prayer room during the 1st and 2 nd service. Charles Spurgeon said the secret of his ministry was “My people pray for me.”
Every week hundreds of people prayed in his church basement which he called his “boiler room”. Pastor Art would love for our prayer room to overflow with people praying for him like Spurgeon’s boiler room during each service.
In closing, have you downloaded the FSC app? In the app sign up for ”Prayer Requests”, this is where you can leave your prayer needs and pray for others. Thank you for helping the prayer culture at FSC grow!

Discovering Hope in Hard Times: An Introduction to 1 Peter
Imagine you’re a first-century Christian, far from home, facing suspicion from neighbors, and maybe even persecution for your faith. Life feels heavy, uncertain, and isolating. Yet, in the midst of this, a letter arrives from Peter—the fisherman-turned-apostle—bursting with encouragement, purpose, and a call to stand firm. That’s the heartbeat of 1 Peter, a short but powerful book in the New Testament that speaks just as vividly to us today as it did to its original readers.
First Peter is a letter penned by the apostle Peter, one of Jesus’ closest disciples, likely written in the early 60s AD from Rome (referred to as “Babylon” in 5:13). Peter writes to believers scattered across Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey), many of whom were Gentiles converted to Christianity. These “exiles” (1:1) were living as outsiders in a world that often misunderstood or outright opposed their faith. Sound familiar? Whether it’s navigating cultural tensions, workplace challenges, or personal struggles, Peter’s words resonate in our own moments of feeling out of place. Peter’s purpose is clear: to inspire hope and steadfastness in the face of suffering. He doesn’t sugarcoat the trials his readers face, but he points them to a living hope rooted in Jesus’ resurrection (1:3). This letter isn’t just a survival guide—it’s a celebration of God’s grace and a roadmap for living faithfully in a world that doesn’t always get it.
What’s the Big Idea? At its core, 1 Peter is about living as God’s people in a world that’s not our ultimate home. Peter weaves together three key themes that make this letter both practical and profound:
1. Hope in Suffering- Life might be tough, but Jesus’ victory over death guarantees an imperishable inheritance (1:4). Suffering isn’t the end of the story—it refines faith and points to God’s glory (1:6–7).
2. Identity as God’s People- Christians are “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation” (2:9). This identity shapes how we live, love, and engage with the world, even when it’s hostile.
3. Holiness in Action- Peter calls believers to live differently—honoring God in relationships, work, and even persecution (2:11–3:12). Our lives should reflect Jesus’ example, who suffered yet entrusted Himself to God (2:21–23).
Why It Matters Today In a world that often feels divided or uncertain, 1 Peter is like a warm conversation with a wise friend. It reminds us that our hope isn’t tied to our circumstances but to Christ’s unshakeable victory. Whether you’re facing big trials or small frustrations, Peter’s words challenge you to live with courage, love with sincerity, and trust God’s bigger plan. Take, for example, Peter’s call to “always be prepared to give an answer for the hope that you have” (3:15). It’s not just about defending your faith—it’s about living in a way that makes people curious about the hope you carry. That’s a winsome invitation for us today, whether we’re navigating tough conversations at work or showing kindness in our communities.
Reading 1 Peter is like sitting by a fire on a cold night—it warms your soul and strengthens your resolve. It’s a reminder that no matter where you are or what you face, you’re part of God’s bigger story. 1 Peter invites us to live out that hope in every corner of our lives. So, grab a coffee, open your Bible to 1 Peter, and let Peter’s words sink in. You might just find the courage to shine a little brighter in your own “exile.”

Okay, so I came across something in a podcast that I thought was fascinating since it relates so much to Christian growth.  You’ve heard me say that Paul says to put off things like anger but if I just think about putting off, I’ll never long-term change. I need to concentrate on the corresponding “put on” gentleness, etc.  Or put off lying, and put on the truth.  I need to focus on truth telling, not lying.  Well, let me introduce to you the Reticular Activating System (RAS). It’s a network of neurons located in the brainstem that acts as a filter for the vast amount of sensory information we receive. Its primary function is to alert the rest of the brain to important stimuli and to filter out the unimportant, essentially controlling our focus and attention.  The RAS processes what you focus on and what you deem important.
Here's how it relates to Paul's advice of “putting off” bad behavior and “putting on” good (godly) behavior:
When you tell your RAS to "stop lying," the primary object of your focus is still "lying." The RAS interprets this as, "Hey, 'lying' is important! Pay attention to it!". It doesn't understand "stop" as a command to delete or ignore the concept. Instead, it highlights the very thing you're trying to avoid. This is why simply saying "Don't be nervous" often makes you more nervous, or "Don't think of a pink elephant" makes you immediately think of one. Your RAS is efficiently bringing the "forbidden" thought to the forefront of your awareness because you've identified it as significant. This can lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy, where your brain constantly alerts you to the behavior you're trying to eliminate, making it harder to break the habit. So what do I do then? 
Focus on a Desired Behavior (Positive Framing):
When you tell your RAS to "tell the truth," the primary object of your focus is "telling the truth." The RAS interprets this as, "Hey, 'telling the truth' is important! Look for opportunities to do this!" This "hacks" the RAS because it starts to actively seek out and highlight information, experiences, and opportunities related to your desired positive behavior. It becomes a kind of internal GPS. If your goal is to "be honest," your RAS will make you more aware of situations where honesty is required, or where you can practice it. It also filters out distractions that aren't relevant to "being honest." This proactive focus helps to reinforce the desired neural pathways associated with the positive behavior, making it easier and more natural over time.
Consider these examples:
Ephesians 4:22-24: "You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness."
Paul isn't just saying "stop being corrupt." He's saying replace it with "new self, created to be like God."
Ephesians 4:25-32:
"Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor..." (Don't lie, instead speak truth)
"...and if you are angry do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. Anyone who has been stealing must no longer steal, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need." (Don't stay angry, don't steal, instead work and share)
"Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." (Don't use unwholesome talk, instead build others up)
Colossians 3:5-10: " Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature... rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator."
He tells them what to get rid of, and then focuses on the "new self" and being "renewed in knowledge."
It’s fascinating to me that Paul intuitively understood this principle. Simply telling people not to do something leaves a void and keeps the negative behavior in focus. By providing a positive, replacement behavior, he:
Directs Focus: Gives the "RAS" a clear, positive target. Instead of focusing on the absence of bad behavior, it focuses on the presence of good behavior.
Creates New Pathways: Encourages the formation of new habits and neural connections, actively building righteousness rather than just trying to suppress sin.
Empowers Action: It's much more empowering to strive towards something positive than to constantly struggle against something negative. It shifts the mindset from avoidance to active pursuit.
Connects to Identity: Paul's advice is always rooted in the new identity believers have in Christ. You "put on the new self" because you are a new creation. This reinforces the positive, desired behavior as an expression of who they truly are now.
In essence, Paul's "put off, put on" framework is a spiritual and psychological masterclass, perfectly aligning with how our brains (specifically the RAS) can be leveraged to cultivate godly character by intentionally focusing on and practicing righteous alternatives. Boom!

Stewardship of God’s Creation
At the heart of Christian stewardship is the call to care for the earth, as outlined in Genesis 2:15, where humanity is tasked with tending and keeping the garden. Solar energy is a clean, renewable resource that reduces reliance on fossil fuels and cutting greenhouse gas emissions. For example, a church like Trinity Presbyterian in Hendersonville, NC, reduced its carbon emissions by 90% after installing solar panels. We should care about such things.  But let's say you are more of a pragmatist, on to point 2!
Financial Stewardship: Strong Return on Investment
Investing in solar panels with battery backup is a financially prudent decision that delivers long-term savings. The average solar system lasts over 30 years, providing decades of reduced electricity bills. Depending on local electricity rates and system size, the payback period typically ranges from 5-7 years, after which the church enjoys virtually free electricity for the system’s remaining lifespan. I am a year away from breaking even on my home and that isn't even including the fact that I charge two electric cars (no gas bill!).
The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022 makes this investment even more compelling through the 30% Investment Tax Credit (ITC), now accessible to nonprofits via the direct pay provision. Unlike for-profit entities, tax-exempt organizations like churches historically couldn’t benefit from tax credits. —Additional 10% bonus credits may apply if the system uses domestic components.  That's why I am suddenly interested.
Energy Resilience: A Lifeline During Power Outages
Power outages, whether caused by storms, grid failures, or disasters, are increasingly common. A solar-plus-battery system ensures a church remains operational during these disruptions, providing a reliable backup power source. For example, battery storage allows a church to keep lights on, refrigerate food for community meals, or power heating and cooling systems, creating a safe haven during emergencies. This resilience is not just practical—it’s a ministry opportunity.
During outages, a solar-powered church with battery backup can serve as a community hub, offering shelter, charging stations, or a place to distribute essentials like food and water. This aligns with the church’s mission to love and serve its neighbors. Such outreach strengthens community ties, attracts new members, and showcases the church’s commitment to practical compassion, turning a crisis into a moment of witness.

These are just a couple of the reasons.  I think it is a great idea and my last two houses also had solar, so it's worked out great for me!

Let’s be honest—some Sundays, getting to church feels like running a marathon with no warm-up. The kids are melting down, the dog threw up on the carpet, and the coffee tastes like burnt hope.  And when online church is just a click away—while you're still in your PJs, pancakes in hand—why should you bother with physically showing up?
Well, as someone who’s spent a fair amount of time on both sides of the pulpit, let me speak from the heart: regular church attendance isn’t just a spiritual suggestion—it’s a spiritual survival strategy.
“But I Can Watch Online…”
Yep, you can. And thank God for that option—especially for the sick, the traveling, the newborn-navigating, or the “I-just-had-surgery-and-look-like-a-cyborg” crowd. Online church is a gift. But it’s not a replacement for the real thing any more than watching a campfire on YouTube will warm your hands. The early church gives us a picture of what real community looks like:
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”
— Acts 2:42

Let’s break that down real quick:

• Teaching — Sure, you can get that online.
• Fellowship — Hard to do when you're yelling “Amen” at a screen alone.
• Breaking of Bread — That’s Communion, not brunch.
• Prayer (together) — Yep, needs people.

Online is a window into the church. But attending in person is walking through the front door.
So Why Is Regular Church Attendance Important?
Glad you asked.
1. Because You Need More Than a Spiritual Snack
Sunday worship isn’t a checkbox—it’s a feast. It feeds your soul with truth, reminds you of grace, and aligns your heart with God’s mission. You can’t run on spiritual fumes forever. Trust me—I’ve tried. (Spoiler alert: it ends with burnout and an alarming dependence on sugar.)
2. Because You’re a Body Part
Weird analogy? Not mine. Paul’s.
“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.”
— 1 Corinthians 12:27
The ear doesn’t do well disconnected from the head. You were made to belong to a spiritual family. Church isn’t a show you watch. It’s a family you live with.
3. Because the World is Loud, and You Need to Hear God’s Voice
Culture shouts at you all week long: Buy this. Be that. Do more. Be better. Sunday is when you recalibrate and remember who you really are in Christ. It’s like spiritual chiropractic work—getting your soul snapped back into alignment.
4. Because Isolation is a Terrible Teacher
When we drift from the church, we start to listen to ourselves more than God. And let’s be honest: some of our ideas aren't that great. Community gives you accountability, encouragement, and—yes—loving correction when needed.
What Happens If I Don’t Go?
I'm not saying you lose your salvation or your hairline (though one of those is certainly more likely). But slowly, subtly, the drift happens:

• Your faith feels more like a memory than a mission.
• Temptation grows louder.
• Discouragement lingers longer.
• Spiritual apathy becomes easier to justify.

The enemy doesn’t need to destroy your faith outright—he just needs to isolate you. Lions don’t attack the herd. They look for the one that wandered.
So What’s in It for Me?
Let me tell you what I’ve seen in people who prioritize church:

• Stronger marriages (because iron sharpens iron).
• Wiser parenting (kids see faith modeled).
• Real friendships (the kind that show up with soup and Scripture when life falls apart).
• A deeper walk with Jesus (because Sundays aren’t just about sermons—they’re about surrender).
• You actually live longer (verifiable fact baby!- Science!)

And on the hard days? The church becomes a hospital for the broken, not a museum for the perfect. You’ll find healing, hope, and hands to hold when life hurts.
Come as You Are (But Don’t Stay That Way)
Church isn’t about pretending you’ve got it all together. It’s about showing up with your mess and watching Jesus work miracles. No one’s checking attendance like a school principal. But someone is watching your soul. (And that Someone cares deeply.)
So yes, wear your PJs if you must—but wear them to the building next Sunday. Bring your burdens, bring your doubts, bring your kids and their snack explosions. Just show up.
Because when you do, God shows up too.
See you Sunday.

The central problem with many seeker-friendly, "light gospel" churches that focus on practical advice while avoiding deep engagement with God's Word is that they may offer behavior modification without true spiritual transformation. Here’s a breakdown of the key issues:

1. Superficiality over Substance:
   • Instead of deeply exploring biblical theology, hermeneutics, and historical context, these churches often present moralistic lessons or self-help principles drawn loosely from Scripture
   • While practical advice can be helpful, it remains surface-level without addressing the root issues of the heart—sin, repentance, faith, and the need for regeneration.
2. Man-Centered vs. God-Centered:
   • The focus shifts from God's glory, holiness, and sovereignty to human needs, happiness, and self-improvement.
   • This can turn the gospel into a tool for achieving personal goals rather than a revelation of God's character and plan of redemption
3. Lack of Doctrinal Depth:
   • Doctrinal issues that are deemed controversial are avoided, which can lead to a diluted or distorted understanding of the Christian faith. People remain biblically illiterate, unable to defend their faith or discern false teachings.
   • Sound doctrine is essential for spiritual health, as it provides the framework for understanding God's character, plan, and our response to Him (Titus 1:9).
4. Inadequate Addressing of Sin:
   • While these churches may offer advice on improving relationships or managing stress, they often shy away from directly addressing sin, repentance, and the need for God's grace.
   • By minimizing the seriousness of sin, they diminish the need for Christ's atoning sacrifice and the power of the Holy Spirit to transform lives.
5. Entertainment Over Encounter:
   • These churches tend to prioritize entertainment, emotional experiences, or culturally relevant programs over authentic worship, prayer, and engagement with God's Word.
   • While creativity and relevance are valuable, they should not replace the foundational elements of a genuine encounter with God.
6. Discipleship Deficit:
   • Because of the emphasis on attracting and keeping people comfortable, these churches often lack robust discipleship programs that challenge believers to grow in spiritual maturity, obedience, and service.
   • True discipleship involves a commitment to lifelong learning, accountability, and transformation into the likeness of Christ.

Summary:
In short, the problem is that while good advice can be helpful, it cannot save, transform, or sustain a person's faith. By neglecting in-depth engagement with God’s Word, these churches risk producing moral, comfortable, but ultimately unconverted people who are ill-equipped to follow Christ in a challenging world

People often ask about salvation for those who have never heard. What about the person living on an island or in the jungle who haven’t had access to the Bible? What happens to them?  Here are a few things to keep in mind.  I’ve bullet pointed them for ease of reading.    
1. Salvation through Christ Alone

• Acts 4:12 – "And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
• 
  
  • This verse explicitly states that salvation is found only in Jesus, affirming the exclusivity of the gospel. Jesus is the only way to reconcile with God, which extends universally to all humanity.
• John 14:6 – "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
• 
  
  • Jesus identifies Himself as the exclusive path to God, which implies that no alternative belief or moral path leads to salvation.

So, this seems clear that an understanding of Jesus and his sacrifice on the cross is necessary knowledge for salvation.  As a result, we make it a priority to get the gospel into people’s hands!
2. Accountability According to Revelation Received

• Romans 1:18-20 – “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth... For his invisible attributes… have been clearly perceived… so they are without excuse."
• 
  
  • This passage teaches that creation reveals God’s nature and divine power to all people, holding them accountable for acknowledging His existence and holiness, even if they haven’t received the gospel explicitly. No one can ever stand before God and say, “I had no idea a loving, knowable God existed”.  It’s plain and obvious.  Atheists are willfully rejecting the evidence. 
• Romans 2:14-15 – “For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires… They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts..."
• 
  
  • This suggests that God’s moral law is known through conscience, indicating that people are responsible for responding to this revelation even if they have not received Scripture.

3. Greater Revelation, Greater Accountability

• Luke 12:47-48 – "And that servant who knew his master's will but did not get ready or act according to his will, will receive a severe beating. But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating."
• 
  
  • Jesus points out a principle of proportionate judgment: greater knowledge (revelation) brings greater responsibility. This implies that those who receive less revelation may receive a different level of judgment than those who reject a fuller revelation of Christ.
• Matthew 11:20-24 – Jesus condemns towns that witnessed His miracles yet did not repent, noting it will be "more tolerable" for less-privileged places in the final judgment.
• 
  
  • This reinforces that knowledge increases accountability; those who explicitly hear and reject the gospel face greater condemnation.

4. Implicit Faith and God’s Justice

• Genesis 18:25 – "Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?"
• 
  
  • While Scripture does not detail an explicit plan for those who have never heard, it affirms that God is just, and His judgment will be fair and righteous. This is reassuring to me as I can trust God to do what He sees as the most just thing, regardless of my opinion or feelings. 
• Acts 17:27 – “That they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us..."
• 
  
  • God’s desire is that all would seek Him, and His proximity to all people suggests that He’s capable of revealing Himself through various means.

I’ve seen person after person “find” Jesus when they earnestly sought him because of the revelation that they’ve had. Even from very remote places.  Extraordinary really.  In this framework, those without direct access to the gospel are still accountable for acknowledging God as revealed in creation and conscience, yet they may experience judgment differently from those who explicitly reject Jesus. With this understanding that salvation is only found in Jesus and no one can hear with out ultimately having a “goer” (Romans 10:13-15), we must really pursue evangelism and mission as a priority, as we have the life altering good news.  1 Timothy 2:3-4 says it is God’s desire for all to come to the knowledge of the truth.  However, he’s chosen and commissioned us as his ambassadors (2 Cor. 5 and Mt. 28:19-20) and empowered us to do it in Acts 1:8. We are plan A. 

Titus: Character That Transforms Culture
After we celebrate Resurrection Sunday, our journey verse by verse continues through the book of Titus which takes us to the island of Crete, where Paul left his trusted colleague Titus to organize newly established churches. The assignment wasn't easy - Cretan culture was notorious for its corruption. In fact, lying was so common that "to be a Cretan" became synonymous with being a liar. The island was known for violence, sexual immorality, and mercenary attitudes. Hmmm... I'm beginning to see some parallels  to modern culture.

Yet Paul saw this challenging environment as the perfect place to establish churches. Why? Because the island's strategic harbors connected to cities across the Mediterranean, making it an ideal launch point for the gospel.
The letter divides into three powerful chapters that speak directly to our modern challenges:
Chapter 1: Leadership That Makes a Difference. Paul emphasizes the critical importance of godly leadership, calling for elders who stand in stark contrast to their surrounding culture. These leaders must be marked by integrity, complete devotion to Jesus, self-control, and generosity in both their families and communities.
Chapter 2: Households That Display God's Glory.  Paul paints a picture of what Christian homes should look like in a pagan world:

• Elderly members displaying integrity and self-control as models for others
• Young women building faithful marriages and stable families
• Young men developing into productive, healthy citizens

Chapter 3: Citizens That Transform Society Christians should be model citizens - peaceful, generous, and focused on the common good. But how is this possible in a corrupt culture? Paul's answer is clear: through God's transforming love. Through the Holy Spirit, God washes, rebirths, and renews His people.
Why This Matters Today Paul's message is surprisingly relevant. The answer isn't waging culture wars or simply blending in with society. Instead, we're called to wisely participate in our culture - rejecting what's corrupt while embracing what's good. When we live peacefully and devote ourselves to Jesus and the common good, we "show the beauty of the message about our saving God."  I read about a missionary in Asia and how it seemed impossible to reach the culture, yet slowly people came to Christ because of how Christians treated each other.  It was so different that the culture in general. 
As we prepare to dive deep into this powerful letter, ask yourself: How can your character, your home, and your citizenship display the transforming power of the gospel in our community?

As we seek to grow closer to God and one another, there’s a practice that Scripture urges us to embrace: confession. James 5:16 says, “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” Confession isn’t just a private whisper to God—it’s a biblical call to honesty, healing, and community. But it’s also a practice that can go wrong without care. Public confession of sin holds potential for great good or great harm, so let’s explore its benefits and how to do it wisely, guided by God’s Word and timeless principles.
Why Confession Matters
Confession is more than unloading guilt—it’s a pathway to freedom. When we name our sins before God and, when appropriate, others, we break their power over us. It invites healing—spiritually, emotionally, and even physically (James 5:16). It keeps us real, preventing us from becoming “let’s pretend Christians” who hide struggles behind a smile. Historically, every great revival—from Ephesus (Acts 19:17-20) to the awakenings of the past 250 years—has been marked by honest confession. When believers got right with God and each other, the Spirit moved mightily. Confession prepares our hearts for that same renewal.
The Practice of Confession: Guiding Principles (Largely borrowed from J. Edwin Orr and Dave Guzik's Enduring word)
To confess biblically, we need wisdom. Here’s how to approach it, based on Scripture and sound advice:

1. Confess to the One You’ve Sinned Against
   Too often, we settle for secret confession to God, even when our sin involves others. J. Edwin Orr notes, “To confess to God seems the easiest way out,” but Jesus teaches otherwise. In Matthew 5:23-24, He says if you’ve wronged someone, go reconcile with them before offering your gift to God. If your sin has hurt a specific person, confess to them humbly—seek forgiveness and make it right. This isn’t easy, but it’s real contact with God, not just communing with ourselves.  So maybe, consider going to someone this week before church and getting wrong things right.
2. Public Confession Can Be Powerful
   James 5:16 implies group confession—“ones to others,” as A.T. Robertson points out. There’s strength in admitting our struggles together. It builds accountability and invites prayer. But it can be discreet—say enough to enlist help, like, “Pray for me; I’m battling a recurring sin,” without oversharing. We’re not airing dirty laundry; we’re seeking God’s grace through His people.
3. Distinguish Between Secret and Open Sins
   Orr offers a simple rule: “If you sin secretly, confess secretly, admitting publicly that you need victory but keeping details private. If you sin openly, confess openly to remove stumbling blocks.” If your struggle is private (like lust or envy), confess to God and a trusted friend or an accountability group (we have a men's group called Proven Men). If it’s public (like harsh words that hurt the church), own it before those affected. This keeps our confession honest without causing harm.
4. Confess Before Others, but to God
   Interestingly, confession to others isn’t just overheard by them—it’s addressed to them. “I’ve been critical and divisive,” you might say, “please pray for me to get right with God.” It’s not a performance for God with an audience; it’s a plea for support as you seek Him. This humbles us and binds us together.
5. Be Specific and Thorough
   Vague apologies like “If I’ve messed up, I’m sorry” dodge the point. Sin is specific, so confession should be too. Orr puts it bluntly: “It costs nothing to say, ‘I ought to be a better Christian.’ It costs something to say, ‘I’ve been a troublemaker in this church.’” Name the sin—bitterness, gossip, neglect—and commit to change. Half-hearted confession seeks relief, not repentance.
6. Confess with Integrity
   Don’t confess without intending to fight the sin. True confession carries sorrow and a resolve to turn away. If it’s not real, it mocks God—and ourselves.

An Example for Us
Imagine a church member standing up during prayer time: “I’ve been holding bitterness toward our leaders. I’ve criticized them behind their backs instead of supporting them. I’m sorry, and I’ll apologize to them this week. Please pray for me to let it go and love better.” That’s specific, thorough, and public where it needs to be. It invites healing—for the confessor, the leaders, and us all.
Preparing Your Heart
As your pastor, I invite you to reflect: What’s weighing on your soul? Is there a sin you’ve kept secret that needs God’s light? Someone you’ve wronged who needs your apology? Or a struggle you’ve hidden that our prayers could lift? This week, start with private confession to God. Then, where needed, take the harder step—confess to a brother or sister, or even publicly in our next gathering. Be discreet, be honest, and trust God to work.
Confession isn’t about shame—it’s about grace. It’s how we prepare our hearts for revival, for healing, for Him. Let’s be a church that’s real with God and each other, ready for His Spirit to move.

Prayer can sometimes feel like a chore—a list of requests we rattle off, hoping God hears. But what if prayer could be a vibrant, transformative encounter with God? My friend, Daniel Henderson, a seasoned pastor and the President of Strategic Renewal, offers a practical and biblical way to deepen your prayer life through his 4/4 model. Rooted in the Lord’s Model Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13), this approach reorients us from seeking God’s hand to seeking His face. Let’s explore how it works and try it out with a familiar Psalm.
What Is the 4/4 Model?
Henderson’s 4/4 model breaks the Lord’s Prayer into four distinct “strokes,” like a musical rhythm, guiding us through a natural flow of worship and communion with God. Each stroke corresponds to a section of Jesus’ model prayer, moving us upward, downward, inward, and outward. Here’s the breakdown:

1. Reverence (Upward) – “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name.”
   Start by focusing on God’s character and greatness, praising Him for who He is. He already knows what we need, so seek his face before we seek his hand. 
2. Response (Downward) – “Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
   Surrender to God’s will, aligning your heart with His purposes as revealed in Scripture. Prayer is not meant to pull God to me but rather my heart to God's heart.  
3. Requests (Inward) – “Give us this day our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.”
   Bring your needs and confessions to God, trusting Him to provide and restore. Intimacy is restored through confession and repentance.  
4. Readiness (Outward) – “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”
   Prepare for spiritual battle, asking for strength and protection to live out your faith.

This isn’t a rigid formula but a framework to keep prayer God-centered and dynamic. Henderson emphasizes using Scripture to fuel each step, letting God’s Word guide your conversation with Him.
Why Use This Model?
Prayer isn’t about bending God to our will—it’s about encountering Him. The 4/4 model shifts us from a “grocery list” mindset to a worship-based dialogue, rooted in Jesus’ own instructions. It’s simple enough for daily use yet deep enough to transform how you connect with God. By the way, when the disciples asked, teach us to pray, he gave a model... not something to be recited like a ritual.  It has the elements that we need in our own prayer!
Putting It Into Practice: Praying Through Psalm 23
Let’s walk through the 4/4 model using Psalm 23, a passage rich with truth about God’s character and care. Grab your Bible, read the Psalm, and pray along with these prompts.

1. Reverence (Upward)
   Prompt: Praise God for who He is, based on what the Scripture reveals.
   Psalm 23:1 – “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”
   Prayer: “Lord, You are my Shepherd—faithful, strong, and tender. I praise You for Your guidance and provision. You’re not distant; You lead me personally. Hallowed be Your name for Your loving care!”
2. Response (Downward)
   Prompt: Yield to God’s will, asking for His kingdom priorities to shape your life.
   Psalm 23:3 – “He restores my soul; He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.”
   Prayer: “Father, I surrender to Your restoring work. Lead me in Your righteous paths, not mine. Let Your will unfold in my life today—for Your glory, not my agenda. Your kingdom come in me.”
3. Requests (Inward)
   Prompt: Present your needs and seek forgiveness, trusting God’s provision.
   Psalm 23:4 – “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me.”
   Prayer: “Lord, I need Your presence in my struggles—[name a specific valley you’re facing]. Forgive me for fearing instead of trusting. Comfort me with Your rod and staff, and meet my needs as I lean on You.”
4. Readiness (Outward)
   Prompt: Ask for strength to stand firm and live victoriously.
   Psalm 23:5 – “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.”
   Prayer: “God, equip me to face opposition today. Deliver me from temptation and the enemy’s schemes. Let me walk in Your victory, reflecting Your goodness and mercy to others.”

Tips for Using the 4/4 Model

• Start with Scripture: Pick a Psalm, a Gospel story, or any passage that speaks to you. Let God’s Word spark your prayer.
• Keep It Flexible: Don’t rush through the steps. Linger where the Spirit leads—maybe you need more reverence one day, more requests the next.
• Make It Personal: Tailor the prompts to your life. The model’s power is in its adaptability.
• Pray Aloud (If You Can).
• end with Reverence if you have time.  It's just a good practice (the sandwich of worship!)

The Fruit of This Prayer
This method slows me down.  The steps get my focus off myself and back on God. I get off the throne of my life and put Jesus in his rightful spot.  Worship isn't because God needs it, it's because I need it! (Reverence).  Next, what this model does is to realign my priorities to God's (Response), and puts me in a place where I am trusting Him with specifics but also where I've sought his face first before his hand so I don't just see him as a vending machine (Requests).  Lastly, I leave feeling ready for the day (Readiness). When I do this, prayer is less of a chore and something like Psalm 23 becomes more than words on a page—it becomes a living conversation.
This pattern reminds us that prayer is about intimacy with God, not just outcomes. The 4/4 model, grounded in the Lord’s Prayer, offers a biblical path to that intimacy. So, next time you pray, open your Bible, follow the rhythm, and let God lead the way. You might just find your faith—and your heart—transformed. By the way, we pray every Sunday morning at 8am for the services and this is the model we use.  I would love it if you joined us in the prayer room!  Best ministry at the church! 

Why Word of Faith Declarations of Healing Are Biblically Troubling:
In many Christian circles, the Word of Faith movement has popularized a practice: declaring healing into existence through spoken words. Proponents teach that by claiming health with unwavering faith—often citing verses like Mark 11:23 (“If anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go,’ and does not doubt… it will be done”) or James 5:15 (“The prayer of faith will make the sick person well”)—believers can unlock God’s healing power. It’s an appealing idea: speak it, believe it, receive it. Honestly, I wish it were true.  However, when we hold this teaching up to the full counsel of Scripture, cracks appear. Here’s why Word of Faith declarations of healing are troubling—and why a deeper, more God-centered faith offers something better.
1. The Bible Doesn’t Teach Faith as a Force We Control
At the heart of Word of Faith theology is the notion that faith is a tangible power we wield. Declarations of healing turn words into a kind of spiritual lever: say the right thing with enough conviction, and God must act. But Scripture presents faith differently. Faith isn’t a force we generate; it’s trust in a Person—God Himself. Hebrews 11:6 says we must believe that God exists and “rewards those who earnestly seek Him,” not those who master a technique. When Jesus heals in the Gospels (e.g., Mark 5:34), it’s His power and will at work, not the mechanics of someone’s speech. Reducing faith to a formula flips the script: it puts us in the driver’s seat, not God.  In fact, many word of faith preachers more than hint that we are like "gods" (small g).  Yikes!
2. Declarations Misread Key Scriptures
Word of Faith often leans on verses like Mark 11:22-24, where Jesus says, “Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” Sounds like a blank check, right? But context matters. Jesus had just cursed a fig tree—a symbolic act tied to God’s judgment, not a personal healing claim. The “mountain” He mentions likely points to obstacles in God’s redemptive plan, not a promise to remake reality to our liking. Similarly, James 5:15 ties healing to “the prayer of faith,” but it’s offered in humility by elders, not demanded through bold declarations. These passages call for trust in God’s power, not a script for manipulating outcomes. Plus the entire context of scriptures make it clear that prayer is answered in accordance to God's will as we'll see next.
3. God’s Sovereignty Trumps Our Words
The Bible is full of examples where healing doesn’t come, even for the faithful. Paul prayed three times to remove his “thorn in the flesh” (2 Corinthians 12:7-9), but God said no, offering grace instead. Timothy had chronic stomach issues (1 Timothy 5:23), yet Paul didn’t tell him to declare health—just to take a little wine. Even Jesus, the sinless Son of God, prayed, “If it be Your will, take this cup from me” (Luke 22:42), submitting to the Father’s plan. If declarations guaranteed healing, why didn’t these giants of faith use them? Because God’s will isn’t bound by our pronouncements. He heals when it aligns with His purposes, not our commands.
4. It Shifts Focus from God to Us
Declarations of healing often make our faith, words, and positivity the key to unlocking God’s action. If healing comes, we get the credit for believing hard enough. If it doesn’t, we’re blamed for weak faith. This turns prayer into a performance and God into a vending machine. But Scripture keeps the spotlight on God’s glory, not our effort. In John 5:19, Jesus says He only does what He sees the Father doing. Healing flows from God’s initiative, not our ability to speak it into being. When we declare outcomes as if they’re ours to dictate, we risk pride—or despair when reality doesn’t bend.
5. It Ignores the Bigger Story of Suffering and Redemption
The Word of Faith focus on health and prosperity often sidesteps a biblical truth: suffering has a purpose in God’s kingdom. Romans 5:3-4 says we “glory in our sufferings” because they produce perseverance and character. James 1:2-4 echoes this: trials test and mature our faith. Healing is a gift, not a right—and it’s not the ultimate goal. Revelation 21:4 promises a day when sickness ends, but until then, God often uses pain to draw us closer to Him. Declarations that demand healing now can miss this redemptive thread, reducing faith to a tool for comfort rather than a lifeline to eternity.
A Better Way: Trusting Prayer, Not Triumphant Declarations
So how should we pray for healing? I do believe that we speak with a delegated authority (Jesus even told us that we do), however, we can't decree or declare anything unless it is God's will.  In the case of Elijah in 1 Kings 17 and 18, he responded to God's desire to cause the rain to start and stop. He wasn't just looking for good weather because it suited him.  So, it isn't necessarily wrong to command healing, but according to what the Holy Spirit is revealing, not my will.  James 5:14-16 gives us a model: call the elders, confess sins, and pray in faith—trusting God’s power and submitting to His will. Jesus shows us this in Gethsemane: “Your will be done” (Matthew 26:39). We ask boldly, believing God can heal, but we rest in His wisdom when He chooses another path. This isn’t doubt—it’s dependence. It frees us from the pressure to perform and the guilt if healing doesn’t come. Our words don’t command God; they connect us to Him.
Conclusion
Word of Faith declarations of healing sound empowering, but they twist Scripture into a human-centered promise it never makes. True biblical faith doesn’t claim control—it surrenders to a sovereign God who loves us, heals when He wills, and sustains us always. Next time you’re tempted to declare healing, try this instead: pray with passion, trust with patience, and rest in the One whose ways are higher than ours. That’s the faith the Bible calls us to—a faith not in our words, but in His. Now, before I close, let me make one thing clear, we have authority that is delegated, and it isn't necessarily wrong to declare or command something (there is a pattern for it, but I would argue it isn't normative) however, the Word of Faith movement declares with an authority that comes from self, not God.  If we declare or command, it comes out of a surety that the Holy Spirit is speaking to you but always in submission to what the Spirit wants to do, not because I decided it (I hope that clarifies things).  
EDIT: I just added this.  I heard the phrase "we don’t have the authority of Christ, we have authority in Christ" in a podcast. It emphasizes the distinction between Christ’s ultimate power and our delegated authority as believers. Here’s the explanation:
Christ’s Authority vs. Our Authority

• The Authority of Christ:
  Jesus has ultimate, inherent authority. As God the Son, He is sovereign over all creation and holds supreme power over everything—heaven, earth, sin, death, and the spiritual realm (Matthew 28:18, Colossians 1:15-20). This authority is uniquely His and cannot be transferred or replicated.
• Our Authority in Christ:
  Believers are given authority through their relationship with Christ. This is a delegated authority, meaning it is derived from Jesus, not from ourselves. It flows from our union with Him (Ephesians 2:6) and is empowered by the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8). For example, Jesus granted His disciples the authority to heal the sick, cast out demons, and preach the gospel (Luke 10:19, Matthew 10:1), but that authority was entirely dependent on their connection with Him and submission to His will.

Key Differences
     Authority of Christ                Authority In Christ

Inherent and absolute	Delegated and dependent
Rooted in Jesus' divinity	Rooted in our relationship with Him
Unlimited in all realms	Limited to His purposes and will
He controls all outcomes	We act under His guidance and power

Why This Matters
Believers are not given Christ's supreme authority to act independently or force outcomes (e.g., commanding miracles or controlling events autonomously). Instead, we are called to operate in His name, aligning with His will and relying on His power (John 15:5). Our authority is tethered to our dependence on Him—it's His authority working through us, not something we possess inherently.
This keeps us humble, reminding us that we are instruments of His purposes, not equals with Him in authority.