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That according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith (Ephesians 3:16-17a ESV). My favorite place to serve in our church is with Mosaic: our youth group for middle and high school students. I first volunteered because I enjoyed high school and w...
Keep ReadingSo they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them (Numbers 6:27). Many young men, first noticing that they can grow facial hair, will make an attempt at a beard. Regardless of how full or patchy it is usually the latter they will still try. And until someone tells them otherwise, they will almost certainly think it looks good. (Ask me how I know.) For t...
Keep ReadingFor my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel (Luke 2:30-32).Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light; the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight. My friends and I discovered that we're the type of people who associate di...
Keep ReadingThe Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things through his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven (Hebrews 1:3). Pleased as man with man to dwell, Jesus our Emmanuel! Christmas is A holiday? Time for giving, receiving, shopping, party plan...
Keep ReadingAnd an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people" (Luke 2:9-10, ESV). I'll get right to it. Are Christmas carols allowed before Thanksgiving? Or are they reserved for December? T...
Keep ReadingHow then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? (Romans 10:14-15a ESV). Football is the ultimate team sport. Apologies to anyone into soccer, basketball, or any of the others. They're all grea...
Keep ReadingNo one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his loveis perfected in us (1 John 4:12 ESV). I'm a tremendously visual and tactile learner. So, when I teach physics and math, I thrive at the board where I can bring the equations to life with colors, pictures, and diagrams. When I finish explaining, I'll often ask students, "see what I mean?" When I...
Keep ReadingNot only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame (Romans 5:3-5a). Surely, you've seen the signs. You know the ones. They come out to litter front yards, highway medians, and roundabouts. I've never actually seen anyone put them out, b...
Keep ReadingGo and learn what this means: "I desire mercy, and not sacrifice." For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners (Matthew 9:13 ESV). Let's start with some context. Jesus, as he often does, is citing Old Testament scripture. It's likely familiar to his audience at the time but let's refresh our memories. For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of ...
Keep ReadingNot so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all (Mark 10:43-44). I have a confession to make: Chatham Serves day makes me nervous! This was especially true the first time. Consider the situation. The sign-up form is filling up with names I don't know. Down the list I go, disqualifyi...
Keep ReadingSo, because Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath, the Jewish leaders beganto persecute him. In his defense Jesus said to them, "My father is always at his workto this very day, and I too am working" (John 5:16-17). As summer came to a close, we kicked off the fall with our Ignite series. Now in the final week, let's check in. Has there been a place in your life tha...
Keep ReadingIn a vision he has seen a man named Ananias comeand place his hands on him to restore his sight (Acts 9:12). Main characters have it rough. Sure, they're usually endowed with the honor of saving the day and guiding the conflict to a satisfying resolution. Getting there, however, takes grit, courage, and an uncomfortable growth phase to transform into one who possesses the...
Keep ReadingAnd suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind,and it filled the entire house where they were sitting (Acts 2:2). The first few moments of silence permit a tantalizing uncertainty. Slowly, the growing vibration of the acoustic invites your curiosity. A noble and inspiring purpose marches in to the roll of snare drums. Then you hear the voice, ready...
Keep ReadingDo not trust in deceptive words and say, "This is the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord!" (Jeremiah 7:4) Symbolism sounds like one of those literary words reserved for high school English class. Maybe you enjoyed it, maybe you were happy to leave it behind. Whether that was a pleasant memory for you or not, we crave symbols and their assoc...
Keep ReadingWhen the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear. They stayed at a distance and said to Moses, "Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die." (Exodus 20:18-19). Who are your most memorable teachers? Maybe there was someone who made the subject so exciting ...
Keep ReadingBut as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, s...
Keep ReadingSo Hilkiah and those whom the king had sent went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tokhath, son of Hasrah, keeper of the wardrobe (now she lived in Jerusalem in the Second Quarter) and spoke to her to that effect (2 Chronicles 34:22). The prophetess Huldah not quite one of the Old Testament prophets we hear very much about. But don't let the brevity...
Keep Reading"As soon as you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God being carried by theLevitical priests, then you shall set out from your place and follow it. Yet there shall be adistance between you and it, about 2,000 cubits in length. Do not come near it, in order that youmay know the way you shall go, for you have not passed this way before" (Joshua 3:4). The beginnin...
Keep ReadingThen he said, "Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed." (Genesis 32:28). How is it possible that an old man was able to hold his own in a wrestling match against God himself? Is God acting like a father who plays down to the level of a young child? Or is there something about Jacob and his stub...
Keep ReadingWhat gain has the worker from his toil? (Ecclesiastes 3:9) A popular question that has found itself linked to success and achievement is, "How much of a planner are you?" The prevailing sentiment is that sticking to a solid plan will lead to a successful outcome. Yet there can be great variation in how we approach planning. Are you someone who needs to know what to expec...
Keep ReadingThe rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and itfell with a great crash (Matthew 7:27). College was understandably a time of academic intensity. I felt like what I was doing wastoo demanding and worthwhile to not give it all I had. I didn't get straight A's, but I was proud of my efforts. I felt like I really knew how to be a so...
Keep ReadingBlessed are those who listen to me, watching daily at my doors,waiting at my doorway (Proverbs 8:34). Do you ever fall into this trap: I'm not smart enough, good enough, quick enough? This gets talked about a lot in graduate school. It usually seems to me that I'm spending way too much time finding an answer or solving a problem in my lab. I should be faster! Others handl...
Keep ReadingHe is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season,and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers (Psalm 1:3). Sports movies frequently found their way onto our TV growing up. There is a good portion of my vocabulary that has been molded by football movie quotes. The actions and emotions of the players and coaches leading up ...
Keep ReadingFor John came to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him,but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this,you did not repent and believe him (Matthew 21:32). Imagine a moment where every minute matters. Maybe there's some report due or a presentation to give in two hours and you have more to write or more figures to produc...
Keep ReadingA very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road (Matthew 21:8). I grew up in a church that really knew how to step into the Palm Sunday story. To set the scene, it was always a full house. Attendance rivaled the usual big days of Christmas and Easter. Everyone was well dressed, especially the childre...
Keep ReadingWhen Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping,he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled (John 11:33). Every one of us has experienced "death" in one way or another: the death of a relationship, a job, a dream, even the death of someone we love. John invites us to recall those emotions as he tells a story steeped in the grief surroundin...
Keep ReadingThe woman said, "I know that Messiah" (called Christ) "is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us." Then Jesus declared, "I, the one speaking to you I am he." (John 4:25-26). One of my favorite parts about being connected in a church community is listening to different stories of encounters with Christ. It seems like Jesus has a special and unique way of ...
Keep ReadingNow there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of theJewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night (John 3:1-2). Life as a Christian and a physicist is exciting but has its challenges. Thinking about the connections between science, philosophy, and theology has led to some stimulating discussions; however, I generally find myself satisfied in keeping ...
Keep ReadingThen the devil left him, and angels came and attended him (Matthew 4:11). Imagine that! You just spent 40 days in the desert, hungry and alone. The first interaction you have following your abstention from society is with the devil! You are tempted toward sins of various kinds that would quickly bring you nourishment, attention, and power. But you, child of God, are stro...
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