Is the church (at large) a sinking ship? Will the church as we know it survive for 20 more years? It may not endure as we know it, but it WILL thrive according to God's plan. Form this perspective we can be assured that God will work it out. Our job is to embrace the newness.#LoveOthers #GodsWay #WeCanWorkItOut #messiahyl…

Jesus doesn't ask for a resumes or qualifications to follow him, he simply asks for a willingness to follow: to trust, to learn, to love, to be transformed. It is sometimes messy, sometimes imperfect, but it is real. Following Jesus is being open to the unexpected, the uncomfortable, and the challenging. It is about sitting at God's table of grace …

Grace is free, but it is not cheap. The type of grace we receive from God was very costly and its precious value must be understood to be appreciated. Jesus gave his life for us. Count the cost and act accordingly. We show our gratitude as we strive to live obediently (as best we can) following Jesus and sharing grace with others. #FollowMe #CountT…

What kind of a follower are you? Online, first impressions make a big difference. This is the same reason Jesus was so popular when he came to the world. Jesus had many raving followers and, in the end, overwhelming critics. The people of the world didn't understand why Jesus came. They wanted something/someone more self-serving. Head the call to f…

Like a Super Bowl team thrives on cooperation and coordination, we flourish when we work together as followers of Christ to live with compassion and mercy for others...and work together to create a truly just world for all people both near and far. #SuperBowl #Cooperation #messiahyl

Are you a great worrier? Worry prevents us from experiencing God—who is actively working in the present to help us. Worry sucks the vitality, energy, and joy required to live lives of loving service and compassionate action toward others. Lean in to the radical grace of God. This will shift our focus away from ourselves so that we can boldly and co…

Why did the people of Israel spend forty years in the dessert before "entering the rest" of the promised land? They were afraid to go in! Do we refuse to enter into the rest that God promised? We must recognize that grace and rest don't depend on our effort. Stop, wait, and pay attention...to see what God to doing. Cast all your anxiety on him beca…

Most people can appreciate and respect the commandment "Do not murder." Another commandment a few before it, though, is likewise important but much tougher to keep. "Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy." God demonstrated rest after the work of creation and God knows his creations...including us. We need intentional and regular rest (spiritual and…

Knowledge and grit are not all it takes to make things go better. A focus on what God asks us to do is a promised path to peace and satisfaction. Living God's values relieves us from the burden of busyness, expectations, regulations, and rigor...religious or otherwise. Take the yoke of Jesus for a uplifting change. #EasyLight #messiahyl…

After the Christmas hoopla, it can be easy let Epiphany slip by. Just as the foreign magi searched out baby Jesus, we, too are all on a quest for something far greater than ourself. They discovered, as we learn, everyone is welcome in the presence of the Lord. We are one family! In truth, we are all just walking each other home. On that journey, go…

Today we hear a new angle on the advent story—which begins in the desert. Historically, a place of struggle and uncertainty (then and now), the desert near Israel and the area of the Jordan River was ground-zero for God's greatest news for mankind. Prepare the way! That means: scrub the steps, be compassionate, show radical hospitality, embody the …

Be ready, be alert...is not a fear-based faith. Jesus is the light of the world and God's transformative presence can be found in the waiting and expectancy within our current situation. Advent is a time to stay focused and be active in our love for God and others. #Attentive #BringLove #SpillTheLight #messiahyl…

Glory to God and thanks to Messiah for our ministry together! "But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:13-15) No matter what our age, background, history or whatever God's best days for us are…

Who is your shepherd? Who tends to you when you are weak, lost, or in trouble? Ancient kings were in charge of their people this way. However, many kings wandered from this calling and brought judgement and calamity on themselves and their people. Connecting the old and new testament, Jesus is the "Lord our Righteous Savior." His arrival and reign …

How do we practice love in our lives? Do we limit love to the confines of our hearts and minds or do we extend it to our relationships, communities, and beyond. Uganda is one of many places where we demonstrate love through actions. We are surrounded by a world in need. Embody Christ by becoming the hands of feet of God. #beserving #giving #oceanso…

God's provision is everlasting...proven, by example, in the old testament through care for widows and in the NT as Jesus demonstrates care for the poor, needy, and the downtrodden. Jesus is the new covenant that gifts us all grace, mercy, hope, and love everlasting. #DoLikewise #CareForOthers #messiahyl…

Free people need guidelines, principles, and advice to live well. What posture is needed to hear the Lord? The Bible (old and new testaments) point to the answer: Jesus. Follow him with an extravagant, committed, undivided love including conscience, heart, essence, soul, and vitality (might or strength). When we strive this way, we can become a com…

The Reformation was a pivotal moment in the protestant church. Even as an anniversary could commemorate what happened some time ago we take a moment today to once ago listen to the words of Jesus seeking wisdom and inspiration for our own journey into a more inclusive, compassionate, and grace-filled faith. #reformation #today #messiahyl…

Jesus teaches us the many blessings of the acts of faithfulness. Invited to live aligned and trusting in Him, we find ourself on solid ground. In coastal California, we eyewitness how the wise build their house on a foundation of rock rather than sand. This concept is worldwide universal to building a faith and life on, and in, Jesus. #Beatitude #B…

Would you be generous enough to share a french fry with someone who bought them for you? This simple story and analogy is a means for understanding our relationship to God—the provider of all things related to our life...including french fries. Generosity is a cheerful act of worship, thanksgiving, and love for God, our provider. #frenchfries #gene…

Of course, you can choose to be anything you want!...choose truthful, compassionate, and merciful. Learning to live that way isn't an overnight transformation; rather a lifelong intention. Mercy "received" is the state of our condition. Thanks be to God for this grace!...and the reciprocal chance to show compassion to others. #ripple #mercyme #merc…

Are you living the good life?...experiencing the good life is found while learning to live by God's values. The kingdom of heaven is not just a place after death; it is also on earth when we do God's will. When we hunger and thirst for God's righteousness (wanting to have things right) we discover both our shortcomings and God's forgiveness. Aware …

What are you looking for in life? listening for in a leader? Is meekness top of list? Jesus wants us to question the prevailing cultural narrative that equates power and control with success. He wants us to realize there is an alternative to the pursuit of dominance and power, pride and arrogance. Jesus challenges to an alternative way of living. #…

The list of people who are blessed (poor in spirit, mourning, meek, insulted, persecuted, and lied about) seems opposite what our society and culture might call "blessed." Jesus teaching in the Sermon on the Mount seems UPSIDE DOWN. Thankfully, it is not contrary, but it takes a new worldview to see it (a lens of God's grace). #Blessed #Happy #Priv…

Celebrating 60 years of loving God and loving one another, we look forward to the future with hope! We will never change the world by going to church, we will only change the world by being the church. We must embrace a transformative mindset to adapt to the issues of today and serve others in meaningful and relevant ways. Despite a changing future…

Striving to see things from a divine point of view helps us gain perspective. We can "get it" in one moment and then totally miss the bigger opportunity God is curating. We can get distracted easily by striving to win the game of life. What will it do to gain the whole world and lose your soul? Living generously for the benefit of others helps us b…

Our society elevates toxic pride and self-sufficiency. The pull is substantial! Trusting in God is "easier said, than done." Casting our anxieties on the Lord is not a sign of weakness; rather, this act of acknowledging a need for help and receiving grace is the very practice that brings peace to our seeking soul. Embracing daily moments of stillne…

Laughter is a beautiful and universal language that brings joy into our life. (Ecc 3:4) Our capacity to feel deeply and empathize with others is a gift from God...and the very nature of God. Holy humor is good medicine and balm for our souls. Laughter brings a shared camaraderie and we should practice it often! #HolyHumor #GiftOfLaughter #messiahyl…

In a world crying out for transformation, the key is loving those who God loves—seeing every person as a fellow bearer of God's image—even those who personally oppose or align themselves against us or God. Radical grace received helps us stand in the gap and strive for alignment with God's moral imperative to love and allow redemptive power to flow…

How open and aware are your eyes and heart for the needs of others? The Christian imperative is to live-out love for others. We are saved by a faith that integrates good works to serve Jesus. We serve Jesus by serving others...who are are one and the same! #Neighbors #LoveOverFear #messiahyl

Jesus demonstrated his love by giving His life for us. In the Good Samaritan parable, Jesus teaches us to love our neighbor as God loves us. But who is my neighbor? If you were down in the ditch, who would you not expect to help you out? If you were the one on the road, who would you be least likely to help? Focused on the good news, we realize God…

When does eternity start and end? We often talk about eternal life as the time after we die. If eternity started before we did, we are living in eternity today. The big question is: "Are we living now in an eternal relationship with God?" Are we living God's values? They are "Love God, love others, love yourself"....but, importantly, I am third. #N…

If Jesus were in our world today, what would He see? On a journey of faith, the bible's Phillip told Nathaniel: "Come and see!" Like us, Jesus accepts Nathaniel just as he his, where he is at, in his place of disbelieving doubt. See the world as Jesus does. Share this welcoming message with others. #ComeAndSee #messiahyl…

How you spend your time, how you spend your money, what you think about will affect what's important to you. Thoughts often become actions, actions become habits, and habits shape our character. Try a 60-day challenge to invest in a spiritual practice to grow closer to God. "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." #intentional #…

The desire for freedom is universal...if something, misunderstood. The true nature of freedom is not best served by asserting rights of personal freedom, but, rather, liberated freedom that allows openness to serve God and others in gratitude. It is transformative and rewarding because it is fully aligned with how we were created. #serving #messiah…

We all mess up! Despite how great our failure is, God's grace is abundantly greater. We are made in the image of God with great capacity for love. We don't sin wildly because forgiveness is easy. We are part of a faith community and we belong to God. We are transformed and, therefore, live in response to newness of life—dead to the power of sin. Ou…

Sometimes, I feel alone. How about you? We are in this together. Being made in the image of God, we are made for relationship...to God and to one another. You are not alone, Jesus is always with you—and we have each other. We have been rescued, freed, and are supported by a God who loves us. Rejoice, be reconciled, encourage one another, live in pe…

Get cut in! Focus better, get it right, work harder! God offers an easier path to living burden-free. You can get it right and it doesn't require working harder...just living in the grace and goodness of what Jesus did. Live the good life with God's loving grace in Jesus Christ. #GetItRight #messiahyl…

What gives you a worry? Do you find your mind cultivating anxious thoughts? Fear, worry, dread are part of the human condition...but we can let it go and be set free. Release begins when we focus on what Jesus did to free us, to forgive us, pay a ransom for us, defeats evil, and to daily care for us. Give your worry to God. #anxiety #befree #messia…

Have you ever found yourself in a place of pain, shame, or embarrassment? Bound in a prison of your own making? Peter may have been chosen by Jesus to be the foundation and rock of His church...not because of his great faith or actions, but because he, too, fell very short of this and was in need of grace and forgiveness. Confession is good for eve…

What is it about us humans that "everybody wants to rule the world?" This yearning showcases our wandering, self-centered, and selfish desire for more power and control. Seduced away from the plan God set for us, we often find ourselves in the condition of being all messed-up. God is God—we are not. #LetsNotOppose #GodsWill #messiahyl…

Would you agree, the best bite of the cinnamon roll is the delectable center? Living into the mindset of Jesus is a promise of the presence of God (always) and this state of being is sweet words of hope that are far better than cinnamon rolls. #FaithIsLike #LikeACinnamonRoll #messiahyl

In whom do you trust? Yourself? Others? What respect will you grant to someone proven to hold your best interests, shown to love you in every situation, and prepared to give even their own life to save you? Jesus is the fulfillment of a loving confidence in your worth. Pride in our self-styled success and worldly credentials is unremarkable in comp…

A divided house cannot stand. How do we build a proper, healthy foundation in our family, community, and world as a follower of Jesus? How can we find unity in our diversity—which is often so prickly? What does love require? We can make our deepest convictions come from our faith and unity of spirit and not our ideological preferences. When we grou…

Ministry is an opportunity to always choose joy. Working in the country of Cambodia on prevention efforts of human trafficking and restoration work with young people, our ministry partnership is enabled by the work of Matthew and Melissa Stock #choosejoy #loveoneanother #messiahyl

While "location, location, location" is a famous real estate meme, "relationship, relationship, relationship" is the JoyFULL fellowship concept that characterizes our Christian connection to God, community of believers, and other people. We are thankful for your partnership! #EyesOnJesus #Partnership #JoyFULL #messiahyl…

What is it that you believe and why? Easter is a perfect time for reflection. Uncertainty is normal and perfection is not possible. Jesus came and subjected himself to die on our behalf (in the very undeserving condition we are in) demonstrating the tangible way of everlasting love and humility. A dark world is not wiped out by Easter, but it is ce…

Are you coping with religion or is your faith free of expectations? Are you making Jesus your kind of king or do you stand down to honor the mission and methods that Jesus actually did, taught, and now expects? Jesus came in peace to save us from our sins...not save us from our earthly needs. Thank goodness for us! #expectations #messiahyl…

Do you ever have doubts? Thomas was disciple-famous for being honest...and doubtful. Jesus never shamed Thomas for his doubting posture. Rather, Jesus came close, exposed his scars, and showed Thomas how real life will not be perfect, but victorious. #MyDoubts #HisScars #Victorious #messiahyl

The power of evil in the world is strong, but our God is not just stronger—God is also merciful...always ready to be gracious and forgive. #CheersTears #LikewiseBeKind #messiahyl