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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 questions "who am I?" and "why am I here?" are not meant to be answered outside of what God says and what God does. @JeffVanderstelt "Law does not sanctify. Only the Gospel sanctifies. If you want sanctity preach the Gospel." @RScottClark Are you living your life as a lifelong celebration or a lifelong audition? @pauldunk Any measure of OUR faithfulness before God will only condemn us because it can not save us. Faith must be in Christ alone not our works. @robinyawn Putting our faith in Christ is not about trying harder; it means transferring our trust away from ourselves and resting in him. @DailyKeller The more you soak yourself in the good news of the gospel, the more you will delight in good deeds simply becaus...

No, it's not my wedding anniversary.  But it is my 9th anniversary of being on staff at Hesston MB Church.  I began working at the church on November 1, 2008.  I have enjoyed my time as a pastor at Hesston MB and the many people I have met over the years.  It has been fun watching the children grow up and grow in relationship with God and others.  I am thankful for the opportunity to be called to serve here as a pastor.  I look forward to what God will do in and through this church in the years ahead. To God Be the Glory!

Today marks the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther nailing 95 theses in Wittenberg which began the Protestant Reformation.  Many key teachings came out of this event, but probably the most notable are the 5 Solas. In honor of this anniversary, I am sharing the 5 Solas with you today. 

I am continuing to read Gospel Centered Kids Ministry by Brian Dembowczyk and Gospel Fluency by Jeff Vanderstelt.  Below are quotes from each of these books:  Obedience doesn't save. God saves. Obedience detached from the gospel doesn't please. Christ's righteousness pleases. Focus on the external behavior and you will miss the internal heart, but focus on the internal heart and you will get both. That is the key to righteousness...And that is the key to gospel-centered transformation and application.  Go to the heart, and the hands will follow. We have to point our kids to the heart over and over again just like Jesus did in the Sermon on the Mount. The heart is where the battle is won or lost. When we allow the Holy Spirit to work the gospel deep down into our kids' hearts, it will show itself in what they do with their hands as well. This is the kind of gospel transformation we are after. Helping our kids trust in the gospel, find acceptance from God based on...

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:  Live Like You're Loved by Hawk Nelson

For 2017, the phrase I am focusing on is "in Christ."  Each week, I will post 1 verse that includes the phrase "in Christ". I look forward to growing in understanding of what it means to be "in Christ." 7  But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8  Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9  and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10  that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11  that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. 12  Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I pre...

Below are quotes from various speakers at Here We Still Stand: How do you kill an awakening?  Add some requirements. Throw in some kickers (what to do). Limit God's love. Be too serious.  There's something unreasonable about God's love toward us. If we never get better, he will love us the same. Jesus gives us the message of reconciliation.  This includes forgiveness of sin (taking our all our sins) AND giving us His righteousness. Double imputation is a hill worth dying on. Christ died on it. Capon-We talk so loudly about "shoulds" and shouldn'ts" that they eclipse forgiveness of sins. Preaching 45 minutes of law and then throwing the gospel in at the end is not gospel centered, it's gospel caboosed. There is more than one way to be legalistic. Legalism is not just "thou shalt nots" but also tips/steps we tell people to do.  In Christ, you are as secure as Christ is. It's not that we are not hearing law. Social medi...