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It’s that time of year when the spooky takes over. We, as Americans, like to be scared based on the number of haunted houses around. Or notice the number of movies or TV shows out now that seek to freak us out or get us to scream. Churches have responded to this phenomenon by offering alternatives such as Trunk or Treat, Harvest Festivals, and the popular Judgment House This post which was originally published at 1 Corinthians 13 Parenting in October 2016  is not a critique if you decide to attend a Judgment House. I attended a Judgment House while we lived in Colorado but have not attended one where I currently live in Kansas. They are scripted well, have talented actors and actresses, elaborate sets, and are backed with results. However, over the years, I have become more critical of them. Here are my thoughts: Fear should not be a motivation for salvation . Has the fear of hell forced a decision? Proponents of Judgment House will say look at all of these people w...

As I have continued to read Gospel Powered Parenting by William Farley, I have struggled.  Chapter 3 was difficult.  I would probably not recommend this book to parents because of this chapter.  Chapters 4-5 seemed to help a little, but something is missing.  I am going to finish the book, but won't recommend it to others.  His understanding of fear, holiness, and grace are much different from mine and more importantly my understanding of the Bible.  With that said, I believe fear, holiness, and grace are biblical.  However, I would see a different definition in Scripture than Farley. These chapters heap condemnation on parents if they don't measure up.  But then he says something that makes me question my strong feelings.  This book has confused me more than any other book I have read because of how it mixes law and gospel.  Most books I disagree with are heavy on law and moralism only.  This one blends law and gospel which makes...

Yesterday on the blog, I shared quotes about guilt and shame from Recovering Redemption by Matt Chandler.  Today, I am sharing from the same book on the topic of fear and anxiety.  This is a great book. Go and pick it up at Faith and Life Bookstore in Newton, KS. The gospel of Jesus Christ is still the one reassuring answer to your antsy heart. Eden was, by contrast, a place of peace and prosperity. And so, beginning from that tragic point in time, fear and anxiety began aggravating the human heart, so that even His redeemed children through the ages, down to this very day, would know the cruel feeling of being robbed, of living without the peace and prosperity He'd intended for us to enjoy. For while "Abba" does connote a level of family intimacy, it sends up more of the idea that "my dad can beat up your dad," that our Father is not caught off guard or pushed around by anything that seems too big or oversized for us, no matter what it is. The bottom...

Jefferson Bethke has written an excellent book on the differences between religion and a relationship with Jesus.  I am sharing more quotes from the book today: Many Christians don't really care about God; they just want to use him to get what they truly want--status, a nice job, a car, forgiveness--you name it. . . .We have elevated the gifts above the Giver.  Thankfulness is the quickest path to joy. He owes us nothing, but he gives us everything. It is clear in Scripture that he is not the source of evil, nor did he cause it, but he promises he can use it. . . .Suffering is never from God, but he can redeem it. Again, when you are suffering, God is not punishing you. I am so sure of this because God promised that he has already laid all punishment on Jesus on our behalf. When I'm struggling, one of the most encouraging things is to just have my friends and family be there for me. Their simple presence--saying nothing, simply sitting there with me--a...

Below are my notes from my sermon today at Hesston MB.  The passage was John 6:16-36. Opening- THINGS A MOM DOESN'T WANT TO HEAR 1. I swallowed a goldfish. 2. Your lipstick works better than crayons. 3. Does grape juice leave a stain? 4. Look, I painted the front door! 5. The principal called... 6. But DAD says that word all the time. 7. What's it cost to fix a window? 8. The dog doesn't like dressing up in your clothes. 9. Has anyone seen my earthworms??? 10. I'm going to run away!! (Well, maybe SOME days...) Background- Our passage follows the feeding of the 5000 where not only did Jesus do a miracle to feed the people, but He did so abundantly where 12 basketfuls were left over. Jesus walking on water is written about in Matthew 14 & Mark 6   (Vs. 16-21) Jesus is powerful Vs. 19-they saw Jesus approaching. . . Their response: terrified. Why? Amazed at this miracle, thought he was a ghost, stressed out by the wind & waves. Ou...

Steven Furtick has a great chapter in Crash the Chatterbox on facing fear.  Here is some encouragement for you today: But fear is neither linear no logical. Because fear often finds its power, not in our actual situation, but in what we tell ourselves about our situation. The Jezebel Effect robs you of the time and space that is meant to be reserved for restful confidence in God. I'm encouraged that when He finds us in our fears, He speaks to us, not with threats of retribution, but with reminders of His care and concern. It's also true that God's Word cannot adequately sustain you--no matter how prevalent it is around you--until your receive it within you. We can never hope to crash the chatterbox until the signal (God's Word) becomes louder in our lives than the incessant noise around us that clamors for our attention and depletes our courage. The Enemy can't do a thing to diminish God's promises--that ability is decidedly beyond the limits of hi...

I have been a little behind in my reading of Prayer Coach by James Nicodem. We are using this book with our D6 Dads groups this year. Here are a few quotes that caught my attention today: "You don't have to save your praying for something really, really big." "What are you praying for these days, in vague generalities, that you need to express in more specific terms to God?" "We can-obviously, with God's help-put an end to fear and anxiety when they threaten us." "The second thing that praying does to my fears is take my focus off them and place it back on God." "We pray for open doors-opportunities to engage in spiritual discussions. We pray for open mouths-boldness to speak up about Christ when the time comes. And we pray for open hearts-responsiveness to the good news we share."

Here is a verse that has been shared often in our home lately.  I hope it will be a reminder to you that you don't need to be afraid about whatever you are facing.  10  So do not fear, for I am with you;      do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you;      I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.  This passage from Isaiah 41:10 gives us several promises: God is with us God is our God He will strengthen and help us He will uphold us  Trust in these promises of God as you go through your day today!

It is that time of year when the spooky takes over.  We, as Americans, must like to be scared based on the number of haunted houses around.  Or notice the number of movies or TV shows out now that seek to freak us out or get us to scream.  Churches have responded to this phenomenon by offering alternatives such as Trunk or Treat, Harvest Festivals, and the ever popular Judgment House. This post is not a critique of you if you decide to attend Judgment House.  I would, however, like to share some thoughts.  Let me begin by stating that I attended a Judgment House while we lived in Colorado.  They are scripted well, have talented actors and actresses, and elaborate sets.  However, over the years, I have become more critical of them. Here are my thoughts: Fear should not be a motivation for salvation.  Has the fear of hell forced a decision? Proponents of Judgment House will say look at all of these people who made decisions for Christ who wou...

I have begun reading a book called Red Letter Revolution by Shane Claiborne & Tony Campolo.  I will be writing a review once I complete the book so I don't want to say much at this time.  While I don't agree with them on a few things, their dialogue has forced me to better understand what I believe and why.  Here are a few quotes that I have appreciated: "Over the past few decades our Christianity has become obsessed with what Christians believe rather than how Christians live. We talk a lot about doctrines but little about practice." "We choose the American dream instead of the gospel dream." "it is pretentious to think we can be Christian without the church." "We need to be part of repairing what's broken rather than jumping ship." "For me, I did not choose Jesus because I was scared to death of hell. Nor did I choose Jesus because I wanted mansions in heaven and streets of gold. I chose Jesus because he's wo...