There is a “spin cycle” for many when it comes to obedience to the Lord. It goes like this: We disobey the Lord, which results in sin. The Lord then corrects or disciplines us, which at some point results in repentance, and then the merciful and gracious Lord gives forgiveness. We then live in tune with the Lord until the “spin cycle” starts again.This is not new. Thousands of years ago, the Israe...  Read More

Philippians is my favorite book in the entire bible! It is the one book I return to over and over again for encouragement and faith - no matter what is happening in my life. Why? Because Philippians is all about trusting God… No Matter What! Because I believe Philippians has the answer for just about any question you may have about the Christian life.Paul writes Philippians while being chained 24/...  Read More

While driving in Utah, on the way to our mission trip in Denver, we saw bunch of cows in open meadowland but there were multiple beautiful flowers, it was a beauty to behold. Amongst the manure grew wonderful flowers, a beautiful sight on the trip. “Celebrating and Challenging” This banner hung inside a little Lutheran church that on a hill amongst a liberal (majority against God) community… was e...  Read More

Elect Exiles (1 Peter 1:1-9, 13)Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood:May grace and peace be multiplied to you. (1 Peter 1:1-2, ESV)To the elect exiles. ...  Read More

Have you ever wondered, like I have, “who am I to proclaim the Gospel of Christ?” I’m not a great theologian. I don’t know or understand all sixty-six books of the Bible. I’m not eloquent. And while I’m being honest, I struggle with my sin nature (some days more than others). Isn’t this being hypocritical?These are the common thoughts of humanity, and perhaps even spoken allegations from humanity ...  Read More

When I first joined pastoral staff at RiverLakes Community Church, I was commissioned with the task of teaching for our Young Adults. The first book I chose to teach through was 1 Corinthians. It was during this time that I came across a term in a commentary that quickly became a favorite of mine and several others… that term is “Meaningless Imponderables”.Meaningless imponderables are those thing...  Read More