Mourning with Hope
The bible teaches us to mourn with those who mourn. The Psalms teach us how to do that. We sow our tears that one day we might reap a harvest of joy. ...
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Why Did Jesus Die?
We have many theories for why Christ had to die for us. They are all correct and even more. Here are a few. ...
The Final Four: Death, Judgment, Heaven and Hell
Join us for the next four weeks as we take the journey every church must travel. We will study death, the judgment, heaven and hell. We will answer our questions, feel our fears, and emerge more ready to enjoy life than ever. ...
What Is Lent and Why Can't You Eat Chocolate?
Lent reminds us that suffering is not pointless, that there must be a death in order to be a resurrection....
On Guilt and Anxiety
Your sin is no match for God’s love. He has overwhelmed and forgiven it. ...
Church Should be Easy - new
According to Harold Best, God created worshippers. We were created pouring out worship. Each member of the Trinity continually worships the others. God created us in his image. We were created to pour out worship upon the Trinity, but since we are fallen we worship created things rather than the creator....
Awakenings, Revivals, and RiverOaks
Awakenings occur within the church. People who have continued to come to church for years realize that they have never known Jesus, never felt his love, never hated their sin, never really believed. ...
What is Holy Week and How do I prepare for it?
The last week of March, starting on Palm Sunday, March 25th, and culminating on Easter Sunday, April 1st, is known as ‘Holy Week.’ Some consider this week the most important week in the entire church year. During this week, we follow the timeline of Jesus’ last week before His resurrection. You can read about this ‘final week’ in all four of the gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, with each gospel writer giving slightly different perspectives on the events of the week....
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Everyone Needs a Pastor
If you do not have a pastor, then you have no one to guide you through the difficult decisions of life. You can only take abstract comments made by pastors who don't know you and do your best to apply them to your situaty...
Keep ReadingWhy Do We Have Denominations?
Let's assume that God is good and still directing what happens to His church. Why then would he allow denominations? Because denominations provide the best way for the church to reach the world. ...
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2014: A Year in Review
2014 was a year of growth, goodbyes, new ministries, and consistency. God has given us every reason to look forward to next year. ...
Keep ReadingFailure is Always an Option
When you set out to correct a besetting sin you will fail, often. The key is to keep getting up, keep asking for Jesus forgiveness, and keep trying. Some people feel so much guilt with each failure, they are tempted to give up completely. The only way to fail is to quit trying. ...
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For a Tradition I Recommend Santa Claus
Many people want to celebrate a family tradition around Christmas. I recommend Santa Claus; he gives presents and makes everyone happy. Whatever you do, please do not mistake the incarnation of the Son of God as a mere tradition. If the incarnation is true, then it challenges and changes your entire life. I encourage you to examine the incarnation and either reject it or b...
Keep ReadingA Short Case for Infant Baptism
Infant baptism is a hot theological topic that often divides Christians. To get past the rhetoric and misconceptions, let's look at what the Presbyterian theology of infant baptism actually is. ...
Keep ReadingA Prayer for Christian Parents
A prayer for the christian parents of a newborn child. ...
Keep ReadingMisinformation
We fly to misinformation like moths to a flame. If a new idea or product appears to make the world simpler, we want it. Finding out the truth is too hard and too scary. ...
Keep ReadingMy No Good, Rotten, Awful, Week
The truths of the gospel do not shield us from the harsh truths of the broken world we live in. However, they do give us a framework for accepting them and grieving them while maintaining our hope. ...
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