Writing to Help You Find and Share the Hope of Jesus
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly ...Colossians 3:16 Since I began following Jesus in 2005, I have tried various Bible study methods in my private, devotional time. I’ve used one-year Bible reading plans. I’ve used Replicate Ministry’s HEAR Journal approach. I’ve used a color-coded highlighting method. And I’ve used different devotional books … Continue reading How I Study The Bible
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.Colossians 3:17 The Apostle Paul’s letter to the Colossians is about growing up into maturity in Christ. Paul writes to encourage the Colossians to not get distracted or deceived by worldly … Continue reading Growing In Christ By Growing In Thankfulness
"...to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ."Colossians 2:2 A couple weeks ago I had one last meeting with a guy I’ve been meeting with almost weekly through ATLAS for the past few years. During that meeting he said, “I really thought I’d be … Continue reading God Makes Growth Possible … And Five Other Truths About Growing In Christ From Colossians 2
They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.1 Timothy 6:18-19 Where sin compels us to say, “I need more and … Continue reading Tight Fists Can’t Grasp True Life
“[S]eek to show hospitality.”Romans 12:13 When my wife and I moved to South Dakota in 2004, I was not following Jesus. My wife Marie was really the only reason I went to church then. At Marie’s prompting, we visited church after church. We would slip in and out each Sunday without anyone ever really engaging … Continue reading Compelled To Welcome: Hospitality And The Great Commission
For the past five years, I’ve deeply enjoyed helping men try to discern what God is up to in their lives through the mentoring ministry of ATLAS of West Central Minnesota. But the past few years I’ve also been learning from my own mentors as I’ve been discerning a call toward pastoral ministry. I’ve had … Continue reading Life Update: Our Family’s Upcoming Transition
My girls love big stories. Like me, they love to read and watch epic adventures. Their first taste of big stories came from Veggie Tales, which was then followed by Pixar’s Cars. As we emerged from the Cars phase (and let me tell you, this was a significant phase at our house), we discovered The … Continue reading Great Stories For The Greatest Story: My Most Frequent Prayer for My Daughters
"But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one."2 Thessalonians 3:3 In C.S. Lewis’ Prince Caspian, Peter, Edward, Susan, and Lucy returned to Narnia for the first time since their adventure in The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, only to find Narnia being ruled by an evil … Continue reading Faithful ≠ Predictable
Pray without ceasing1 Thessalonians 5:17 When my family and I moved back to Minnesota from South Dakota in 2012, we were searching for a house and there was one my wife Marie and I liked but wasn’t on the market yet. Our realtor knew the owners were thinking about listing it though, so she showed … Continue reading In Every Season – Pray
For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.Colossians 1:13-14 NOTE: This post was adapted from a sermon I shared for The Fortress's weekly gathering at Harvest Church on June 16, 2021. In Marvel’s … Continue reading The Awe That Only Rescue Can Bring
A Thrill of Hope 