- Jesus and the Kingdom of God Part 4
How did the biblical writers after Jesus make sense of the Kingdom of God? With what Jesus says as well as other biblical writers... can we discern how this should change how we live practically?
- Does Jesus seriously want this for me?
Many leaders in today's church have cast community to the side and have place "self" at the center of the Gospel. Each product is tailor made for the consumer who attends each Sunday as opposed to helping those coming into community discover the joy of life together. Jesus favors the latter.
- What Jesus Began… He Continues Today; In You.
We either Follow Jesus actively or like Him passively. Where we land makes all the difference. Jesus still changes lives.
- The Most Important Need for the Church Today.
This is the most important thing needed for the Church today. For your life as well.
- Who/ What Shaped Jesus’ Understanding of Salvation? – Salvation Pt. 3
Who or what shaped Jesus' own understanding of salvation?
- Jesus and the Kingdom of God Part 3
How have authors, scholars, and leaders understood the Kingdom of God over the past 100 years? How does this deepen our understanding?
- The Insanity of God’s Love
The love of God and the love of Man The Lord said to me, “Go, show your love to your wife again, though she is loved by another man and is an adulteress. Love her as the Lord loves the …
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- “What exactly does ‘salvation’ mean?” – Salvation Pt. 2
What exactly does the word "salvation" mean? What did it mean to the Jews who came before Jesus?
- Jesus and the Kingdom of God Part 2
How did Jesus understand the Kingdom of God? Was it ethics, future, or present? Or a combination?
- How to Find Hope for Tomorrow in Unsuspecting Places
Deserts are dry, arid, and often hopeless. But not according to God.
- Obedience.
Any mentioning of the word in Christian circles will conjure up diverse emotion. In many corners of Christianity, it has become a word of obscenity. Whether the context is obeying Jesus or learning to obey spiritual …
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- “So, you just got saved. From what? For what?” Part 1
So you are a Christian and you were "saved." So what? What does that even mean? What are you saved from? Or saved for?
- Becoming Excellent in How We Serve God
What is "Ministry Excellence" in the Church? Are we sloppy or are we perfectionists for Christ? What does He want?
- Jesus and His Kingdom – Part 1
What exactly is the Kingdom that Jesus spoke so often about? To fully understand and appreciate it we must go backward before we can go forward. Failure to do so results in catastrophic theology which, to a keen eye, is currently on parade.
- Am I Called? Burdened? Anointed?
Am I called to lead or am I leading from a place of burden? Am I anointed for the role I am stepping into? What will happen if I am serving from a place of burden …
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- That One Thing We Seek
What is that One Thing that changes everything? That One Thing which when sought after has the capability to transform how we think, act, and live. What is that One Thing we desire?
- Growing in the Anointing of God
Can God use me powerfully for His glory? How can I grow in God's anointing in my own life? What follows is a simple and straightforward way to grow in the grace, faith, and anointing of God.
- Praying in the Fog
It was probably 6 or 7:00am. It was cold. I could see my breath. To the east the sun was beginning to piercing through at every open seam of the clouds. It provided enough light to …
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- Missio Dei: Latin for “Mission of God”
I have always been enamored with the Apostle Paul in the Bible. He was relentless in seeking to fulfill his purpose and the mission God gave him. Whether we realize it or not the same is …
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- Leadership Matters
Leadership Matters.
- God is asking for your “only.”
Though we ourselves can be victims of broken promises given and received, God is the ultimate promise keeper that will never fail His children nor forget His promises to them. I remember as a child being …
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- Taking the Leap Part 1: “What in Us Must Die?
A short reflection leading us to a haunting question: Is Jesus with you where you are or are you with Jesus where He is?
- Weathered Passion
It happens to the best of us. We began with passion, wonder, and mystery. We began with innocence, naiveté, and a splash of recklessness. And then, after a period of time, it happens. The zeal we …
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- An Interview I did w/ Hope United on the Addiction Epidemic and the Response of the Church
The Church and The Epidemic “…and when the man saw him who was hurt he had compassion on him….Then Jesus said “Go and do likewise.’” ~ Luke 10:33,37 from the Parable of the Good Samaritan Along …
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- Finding Joy in the “Test of Time”
Easy. Walk in the park. Piece of cake. These were the thoughts that ran through my mind the day I assumed the leadership role of the local church I lead. Ok maybe not these words exactly …
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- A Life Beautifully Interrupted
Bloody Elbows; Ragged Knees Day in. Day out. He sat there. His knees bruised, and elbows covered in blood stained patches. His knees wouldn’t function like others because since birth he had a genetic defect which …
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- The Jesus of Nazareth and the Christ of Faith…
Jesus of Nazareth. The most studied man in all of history. He is known throughout the world. His sayings are prevalent. His identity is debated constantly. And he still, after all these centuries, seems to …
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- The Marks of Love…
We had just completed our first lap on our floor. With each aching step—slower than a snails pace—my mind began to swirl. “God this is hard. I am in serious pain. How long is this journey …
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- A Letter to the Recipient…
Hello Young Warrior! My name is Noah Schumacher. You and I are about to walk through an experience together as strangers and yet be connected in a way few people ever could be. In fact, our …
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- The Strength of My Wife…
An Easy Decision within Eight Seconds… Sobbing and unable to speak clearly, I mustered out what I could. “It isn’t going to work hunny. My liver is not a match. I will die if we try. …
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- Our Decision Through the Eyes of Our Children…
This experience of donating my liver to a child that we do not know personally has brought one interesting dynamic: communicating to our own children. For those who do not know our story you can read …
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- I am donating my liver…
The Story About three months ago we found out my mother was ill. We didn’t know what was going on. But as my mom and our entire family continued to get answers from the doctor we …
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- Learning from Persecuted Christians: My Time in the Middle East
This past summer I had the honor of traveling in the Middle East in areas and locations I am not permitted to share publically. I worked with, taught, and trained Christian leaders who came from many war …
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- Attaining the Height of Christ-Likeness…
1 Peter 3:8-12 NRSV 8 Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love for one another, a tender heart, and a humble mind. 9 Do not repay evil for evil or abuse for abuse; but, on …
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- The Place of Fear in the Christian Life
Fear: an unwanted and unpleasant emotion caused by being aware of danger. As followers of Jesus we have a peculiar situation when it comes to fear. On the one hand modern evangelicalism has taught us that …
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- Christmas and the Sunday Conundrum
Christmas on a Sunday? Ahhhh! I have been asked what we will do about church falling on Christmas morning. Multiple times. Down through the years in fact. I’ve heard the question all around me in person …
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- Mistaking the Church for a Business…
Recently our city newspaper put out a “Best of the Best” award where they voted on the best restaurants, shopping venues, and yes even places to worship. Well, someone had to respond to such a foolish …
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- If Only Jesus Would Have Been From the South…
Why Many Love the Gospel of John One of the reasons many people love the Gospel of John is due to the many encounters Jesus has with individuals. Whether it be the woman at the well …
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- The Challenge of Obedience and Trust in the Christian Journey
Wisdom from an unlikely source While it may be ignored by most Protestants, Wisdom of Solomon may be one of the most intriguing and raw books of Scripture. It is a book found in the Apocrypha …
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- Yes by all means you should live a “perfect” life.
pərˈfekSH(ə)n/ n. – the condition, state, or quality of being free or as free as possible from all flaws or defects. Ever met someone who was a spiritual perfectionist? Or someone who lived their spiritual life in …
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- Did you really think being forgiven was free? C’mon now.
Conflict Resolution I will never forget my 3rd grade school year. I was one of the lucky ones who displayed exceptional character and got picked to be my grade’s “conflict manager.” I, along with three others, …
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- Red Cups, Refugees, and the Redeemed
Facebook. Oy vey! I can’t believe I am about to say the following: “I miss the Facebook days of duck face selfies, cat vine videos, and numerous other “statuses” that were mindless and somewhat funny. I …
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- The Greatest Wonder of All
“God has the Power to Forgive” To this very moment, I have certain songs stuck in my head from this summers V.B.S. I could probably sing and dance more than half of the songs the children …
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- Christ and the Journey Ahead: The Beginning
As a pastor I hear questions swirling around the minds of many Christ-followers. Questions like: “How do we live this life of following Jesus? How do we respond to a culture very different from our own? Who …
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Reflections on Following Jesus in Today's World 