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“ There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:28)

Here are some of my favorite tweets from the last few weeks.  This is one of the blessings of social media where we can hear the gospel from people all over the world. If you like the tweet, go and follow the person on Twitter. The glory of God is powerfully revealed in Christ's gospel. Preachers, let's put our "eight steps to success" in a sack of rocks and throw it in the nearest pond this morning and turn the gospel loose on our churches. @jaredcwilson Change comes as your conscience rests secure in what Christ has done and in the new identity he has given to you. (Jack Miller) The same faith that brings you to Jesus Christ is the faith that leads you to holiness of life. (Jack Miller) As the Holy Spirit fills us, we can live our ordinary lives in a supernatural way. (Jack Miller) "as far as the east is from the west, so far has he (God) removed our transgressions (sins) from us." (Psalm 103:12) What great news! Do we really understand how far t...

My word for 2018 is abide.  I have this great picture over my fireplace made by a good friend that reminds me to abide each day.  My understanding of abide is to "be with Jesus." What does it mean to abide?  Here are some definitions to help us better understand the word.  The Greek word "meno" which is a verb means "to stay". It can also be translated as abide, continue, dwell, endure, be present, remain, stand, tarry for.  Each week I will share a verse (or two) to help us better understand abiding. 15  And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay .” And she prevailed upon us. (Acts 16:15) 23  except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. (Acts 20:23) 31  Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these m...

Don Morris, National Director of U.S. Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches spoke briefly to start our morning. We are people of the Word and we take God's Word seriously. Pray for a great movement of God locally, nationally, and globally.  God is up to something among us. Jesus is saying, "let's go deeper!" I want to see more broken people come to Jesus.  Let's not get upset about things that don't matter.  Stop fussing. Let's work together. Revelation 5-Jesus is worthy! Let's be about proclaiming the substitutionary atonement of Jesus.  Is there any other message more important? Speaker later in the morning was a missionary to restricted access countries. How are we to multiply? I am not happy when people just follow me.  I like to help and create leaders. I have to be ready for Holy Spirit to lead me the way He wants, not the way I want. Look what God can do! I don't like a one man show.  You need others. You don...

We often forget.  We see throughout history the Israelites and the church forgetting. We need to be reminded often of who God is in Scripture, church history and in our lives and churches. The names of God are important because these names are not just what God does, it is who He is.  I hope this will encourage you as you are reminded of how good, great, and awesome our God is. El Shaddai El Shaddai means almighty or most powerful. When Abram was ninety-nine years old the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless, (Genesis 17:1) What it reminds me?  Nothing is impossible for God.  Abraham was told he was going to have a child in his old age.  Throughout Scripture, what seems impossible, God does because He is all powerful.  Today if you are facing a difficulty in your home, at work, at church, with your health, in relationships, remember that God is almighty and nothing it t...

"We're singing for the glory of the risen King." Winnie Bartel, Speaker and Family Counselor from Shafter MB Church, California was our speaker. 1 Corinthians 12:27-Everybody has a job in the body of Christ. "Celebrating How Our Past Must Impact our Future" Celebrate-to seize an occasion for being festive! Why I am grateful for the Mennonite  Brethren heritage-3 stories Billy Graham-NAE (National Association of Evangelicals) Banquet-"Our rich heritage" 4th United Nations Conference on Women Beijing, China-8 member US team from USA and 2 Anglican Priest from New Zealand "Your People of the Bible" World Evangelical Alliance and European Alliance "I can take you anywhere in European Alliance, and You will be respected and welcomed to speak!" What was it in our past that caused the world to sit up and take notice? Our past must impact our future! It's time to seize this occasion to recommit ourselves to Carry...

I am presenting a workshop this week at the National MB Convention in Salt Lake City.  One of the books I am recommending is one that has been on my shelf, but I had not read.  I have started reading through it in preparation for my workshop, "Pass It On! Discipling Children"  Here is the book I am reading by Paul David Tripp:

"Great are you Lord" Aaron Hernandez, Lead Pastor at Grace Point Church, Texas was our speaker on Thursday evening. "Somas familia"-We are family. John 17:21 We don't just want to read books about God, but we want to experience God. 1 Corinthians 12:27-Theme Verse for the Conference All of you together are the body of Christ. Paul wanted to remind his brothers and sisters of this truth in 1 Corinthians. What we believe about ourselves determines how we behave. Remember in your churches that "you are the body." The body has many parts and God has put each part just where He wants it.  Everyone is part of something much bigger. Gary Inrig quote on unity and diversity. Three Very Important Aspects About the Body Unity Diversity Interdependence What We Need To Do: Pray for Unity-John 17:21 Stay humble in diversity-Philippians 2:3-4; 1 Peter 5:5 Embrace Interdependence-Ephesians 4:16

My Aunt Kay Jean suggested I start sharing a verse of the day.  I liked her suggestion but decided instead of a verse of the day, I would share a verse of the week.  Be reminded of who God is from His Word. 13  Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, 14  but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” 15  And he laid his hands on them and went away. 16  And behold, a man came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” 17  And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.” 18  He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, 19  Honor your father and mother, and, Yo...

"I am not a slave to fear.  I am a child of God." Brad Burkholder, Lead Pastor of Hesston MB Church shared a testimony of three blessings in his life and church. Our speaker for the evening was Henock Tsegaye, Lead Pastor at Ethiopian Christian Fellowship Church from Olathe, Kansas. Ephesians 2:11-22-One of the greatest divisions is between Jews and Gentiles. But the division is broken down by God himself.  Because of Jesus, there is no more slave or free, no more Jew or Gentile. Acts 8-Ethiopian saved Acts 9-Paul saved Acts 10-Roman saved The salvation plan is not only for the Jewish but for all nations. There are no boundaries, no limitations for the oneness that God has created. Ephesians 4:3-Humbleness will help the unity to be maintained. Gentleness is one of the fruit of the Spirit (power under God's control). The most important thing to keep unity is love (agape is unselfish and willingly gives). When the peace of God dwells in our he...

Workshop Leaders: Rick Bartlett, Kyle Goings, and Dave Buller A Theology of Technology Create: Innovate-Genesis 1:27-28 The Fall: Some things I hate-Genesis 3:6-10 Redemption: Save more than eight-Genesis 6:14-15 Restoration: To make things great!-Genesis 4:20-22 Artificial Intelligence-helpful articles and links-- http://wke.lt/w/s/etGNQ Ministry Recommended Apps-Handout The average person has 6 screens in their life. 

 "Never once did we ever walk alone....You are faithful God, You are faithful." Our speaker this morning was Brent Warkentin, Lead Pastor at First MB Church, Wichita, KS. Ephesians 4:1-3 Every Christian has a calling.  Paul is pleading them to live out that calling. Christians who "walk worthy" are completely humble are completely gentle are patient, bearing with one another love each other make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit of the bond of peace Love as a walk worthy Christian is balanced.  The list in 1 Corinthians 13 are not feelings, but actions or thoughts. We are not responsible for the unity in our church, but we are responsible to make every effort to maintain unity. What's unity? There's no definition that I've found. Is it theological? majority? strategic? I don't know how to measure unity.  ligament-bond-When you are pursuing unity, it comes from the peace from God that we already have. Unity ...

This is a regular feature now that replaced "Playing on the Radio." I will be sharing songs from my "Gospel Playlist" on my phone. The gospel is good news.  It reminds us what Christ has DONE for us.  As I share, I hope it will be an encouragement to you today.  Song today is: Blessed Assurance by Elevation Worship

This week, I am attending the National Mennonite Brethren Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah.  I am excited for the location and for our time together as the MB family.  I will also be leading a workshop entitled, "Pass It On" which will look at ways to share faith with your kids without guilt or shame.  I am looking forward to time away with my wife and for learning and fun together with people from all over the United States.  Check back here for quotes from the speakers and workshops.

“ Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,” (Romans 8:1)

We are continuing our series, God is….which will look at what some call the attributes of God or the character or God or what makes God, God. Previously, we discussed God is Creator, Good, Great, Holy, Loving, Provider, and Merciful. Introduction: A.W. Tozer writes, “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us. And the second is what we think God thinks of us.” Opening Quiz : What is the point of the story of Abraham and Isaac? Why is Leviticus in the Bible? Why is it important to understand sacrificial system? ·          What we do with Old Testament matters.   If the focus is the story or book itself, we often are left scratching our heads.   But when we see that all of Scripture points to Jesus, things begin to make sense.   ·          Paul David Tripp writes, “God is the hero of every story in the Bible. In fact the Bible is not...