And why do I obey?

Do I do it so that I won’t get some heavenly smiting? Because I want to look good in front of people? Because I love You more than life – a life that I wouldn’t really know if it weren’t for You, a life that is pointless apart from You? Do I love You in a way that is so overwhelming and all consuming that I can’t imagine anything but obedience to the things You love? Hating the things You hate? (more…)

“Mommy, YOU NEED TO REPENT ME!”

My 4 year old announced this, bottom lip curled, hands on his hips, after being reprimanded for chucking his 1958 Corvette Hot Wheel into the forehead of his little brother.  His theology wasn’t entirely off, as he obviously got a vague impression that “repent” had something to do with being sorry, but my little sheep was clearly mulching in left field with his interpretations, authority structure and attitude.  At that moment, what my little black-hearted lamb was trying to convey (more…)

One of my three roommates bought a tennis racket at a garage sale two weeks ago and the guy generously threw in an Oster deluxe bread machine. Older, more experienced women would have smiled and knowingly shook their heads, ‘no thank you.’ But the addition of the bread machine in our kitchen thrilled us all.

The next day, she made her first loaf with the new contraption. Four hours after she began, we found out why the previous owner (more…)

by a Mars Hill woman 

Pastor Mark,

Please stop talking about Jesus. Please stop talking about sin.

You keep ripping my little Christian family’s world to pieces and your teaching keeps bringing out secrets. (more…)

In an article I wrote earlier this month, I encouraged readers to study the gospels paying special attention to cross-references to Old Testament passages. Since nobody explains the Bible better than the Bible itself, it’s wise to consider each cross-reference within Scripture carefully. I see each like another line connecting the dots in a drawing. Each connection gives a better perspective of the picture until, finally, all of the connections are made and the picture is revealed. Similarly, each cross-reference in the Bible gives us a little more insight into the connected, coherent story of God’s redemptive plan for man.

Here is one that really hit me (more…)

Dragon #1: Where exactly is it? (more…)

James 4:17 So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.

I always feel better when Scripture starts sentences the same way I do.
So, I’ve been reading James & Hosea this week, a lovely combination. And I read this yesterday “whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.”
After my reading time, I started attending to some house work, at which point I saw a car park out on the street and several well dressed young men step out (more…)

Lately my Bible study times have been focused on reading passages that will help me answer questions from a good friend who isn’t yet a believer in Jesus.

This has been an interesting season in my life where in addition to reading for my own personal spiritual benefit, I’m searching the Bible for truths that I can then pass on to her. I was motivated to do this after a friend passed on some wisdom that she learned from a mentor. Her mentor shared that when she is at a loss for words when speaking to someone who isn’t a Christian, she has learned to resort to quoting Scripture to them. Not in a “I’m-preaching-to-you-so-listen-up” way, but rather simply speaking (more…)

Respect has been a central concept in my life the past few weeks. Alongside my Bible, I have been reading Love and Respect by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs. A godly married woman in my life recommended the book, so I picked it up. It’s been good, and really hard. I’m only 20 pages into it, so can’t endorse the book itself yet, but maybe I’ll come back and do a review later.

The whole book centers on Ephesians 5:33. “However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.” (ESV) It’s a verse that I’ve often read, but never pondered or really let sink in before. The simple command packs a punch, as most Scripture does when put in context of the Gospel. Eggerichs suggests that women have a need for unconditional love and men have a need for unconditional respect. Men equate respect with love, he offers.

I’m interested to hear from some male readers on this point, if we have them. Would they wholeheartedly agree or add another element to the equation? I tend to think this concept could be true, based on conversations I’ve had with men in the past and watching my own relationship be affected both positively and negatively by this respect element.

Either way, this book and verse in Ephesians has started me down a path of studying a concept I am far from mastering and am hopelessly in need of grace in.

“So whatever you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31

Are you kidding me? Did you know you can get coffee, chocolate cookie, and ice cream all together?! I just ordered an Espresso Oreo Milkshake. And, I don’t know why. I am trying to eat better this (more…)