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As many of you know, the community I live in was rocked last week when a workplace shooting took place in our small community of Hesston.  We appreciate your prayers as we come together to mourn and support those affected by the tragedy.  Today's song is one that brings hope in the midst of suffering. I've been running through rain That I thought would never end Trying to make it on faith In a struggle against the wind I've seen the dark and the broken places But I know in my soul No matter how bad it gets I'll be alright There's hope in front of me There's a light, I still see it There's a hand still holding me Even when I don't believe it I might be down but I'm not dead There's better days still up ahead Even after all I've seen There's hope in front of me There's a place at the end of the storm You finally find Where the hurt and the tears and the pain All fall behind You open up your eyes and up ahead There's a b...

I am continuing to read through Recovering Redemption by Matt Chandler.  I highly recommend this book and will be leading a group of adults through it in 2015.  Here are some quotes related to struggles, belief, and changing: repentance growing up out of our hearts is a leading indicator of genuine belief on the inside. It shows us we're His from the roots up. But sin can't be trained; sin must be killed. In the end, godly grief produces within us such a hatred of our sin, we then receive from God the renewed motivation to actually turn from our sin. The secret, of course--the mystery--is that the Judge has rendered His decision based not on what we've done, on our innocence, but on the sacrifice and willing substitution of the innocent, crucified Christ.  His resurrection provides all the objective evidence we need that proves His promises are true, that His ability to conquer death is real, and that His atonement for our sin is activel...

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...

I am continuing to share thoughts from Jesus Is _______. Here are quotes about love, suffering, and life: "We are all God's favorites. . .It's not about how much we love God. It's about how much he loves us." "Go ahead and try to describe the height of his love, the length of his love, the width of his love, the depth of his love. Our metaphors pale in comparison. We have marriages, we have children, we have adoptions, we have friends, but nothing compares to God's love for us." "He is on your side not because of who you are but because of who he is. His love is unconditional and overwhelming. He is your advocate, your defense lawyer, and your biggest fan." "The Bible declares emphatically that God is with us because God is for us." "Some of us go so far as to think God gets a kick out of our suffering." "The fact that Jesus is here not only brings comfort in hard times, it gives us courage that our cir...

Here are a few thoughts about faith and suffering from the book, Greater , by Steven Furtick: Scriptures to read: 2 Kings 4, John 11:33-36 "And where God is silent, the power of His presence is most profound in how He grieves with us." "Even when it seemed as if He was deaf to their prayers, He was collecting their faith and making a plan to use it in a greater way."

On Thursday, I was reading & reflecting on Romans 5:3-5 at the Perk.  I am slowly making my journey through Romans, but there is a lot to grasp & live out.  I have included the verses below.   3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.  I don't know about you, but I do not naturally rejoice when I suffer.  Usually, I complain and see how I can quickly get through it.  But these verses remind me that there is a benefit to suffering.  I think we can agree that is hard to believe while in the middle of suffering.  However, I know God's Word is true and so I can trust that my suffering produces endurance. We also need to remember to not see suffering as a punishment by God.  Suffering ...