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Maintenance leads to decline.  I’ve been a runner since my senior year of high school when the new tennis coach took conditioning to another level. Since then, I’ve run five marathons, numerous 5Ks, and a few half marathons.  Years have passed since my last marathon. I’ve been in maintenance mode. My times have slowed. My…

A name in a program. A bronze plaque by the door. A shout-out at the monthly meeting. Credit. It dangles like a carrot in front of us. The acknowledgment of good deeds, hard work, or generous donations. The pat on the back feels good. It speaks of approval, respect, and value. The question becomes, would…

“There is much need for prayer and much cause to praise. Suffering should elicit prayer. Sufficiency should elicit praise.” (Blue, The Bible Knowledge Commentary) The fast pace of life can cause prayer to be a last resort. And praise? It’s often reserved for church. God intended both to be part of our normal day. Though Todd…

You belong.  Yes, you.  No membership fees. No sorority rush. No skills needed. You’re in. Often I forget the community of the worldwide Church in the pursuit of personal discipleship. While throughout Scripture, the Jews have always had a national mindset, Peter extends that thinking to his Gentile brothers and sisters.  But you are a…

Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” and, “A stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.” They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for. 1…

The Great Commission reads, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19 NIV).” Note the absence of the verb “save.” Salvation has always been God’s job. Our task? To go and make disciples. But how does our…

Weight. Not something we generally like to discuss. Psalm 62:9 (NIV) reads, “Surely the lowborn are but a breath, the highborn are but a lie. If weighed on a balance, they are nothing; together they are only a breath.” The NASB puts it this way, “Men of low degree are only vanity and men of rank are a lie; In the balances…

Answers to prayer come in many shapes. Yes. No. Wait. Soon. Try this. Not that. Left. Right. Up. Down. Where is God going and what is He up to? No clue. What I do know . . . He’s working. On our behalf. All the time. When I don’t understand what He’s doing—which is most…

This month, we’ve focused on current events (including, but not limited to #MeToo) and how church and culture find themselves on the same page as we stand against abuse. As we find ourselves aligned with culture, how can we as individual believers encourage our local churches to take the next step? To follow up on…

If you’re not familiar with the stories of these two, here’s a quick rundown.