What I Love & Appreciate About Christianity

Many people hear countless times how much they have to do in order to win affection from another person. Because this is how we live, it almost seems natural to apply this kind of thinking and “works mentality” to religion especially Christianity. What I appreciate and love about Christianity is that is breaks all ofContinue reading “What I Love & Appreciate About Christianity”

Be Different and Stand Out

Romans 12:1-2 (Message translation): So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture thatContinue reading “Be Different and Stand Out”

Paradigm Shift

I know many people have heard this story: This man goes to his pastor one day and says, “Pastor, I’m at the end of my rope. I have lost everything!” The pastor listens as the man breaks down and tells the story of what happened and how he suffered financially. After awhile the pastor looksContinue reading “Paradigm Shift”

Rearrangement vs Total Rennovation

This week, I was watching construction workers rebuilding a bridge on a county road. I love observing things get built. As they were working, I noticed a couple of the workers seemed to just be moving the same materials back and forth. Since this seemed to catch my attention, the next thought I had was,Continue reading “Rearrangement vs Total Rennovation”

Hardened Heart

As I was traveling to a meeting this afternoon, I passed several people on the side of the road asking for money or in need of some kind of help. To confess, I have to admit that I was thinking negative thoughts about them and tried not to look at them directly. As a personContinue reading “Hardened Heart”

Sabbath Rest

In Matthew 11:28, Jesus calls for those who are weary and burdened to come to him and he will give rest. Rest. Our culture says that on our days off we should fill them  with play and non-work activities. At the end of the weekend, it is no wonder we do not feel rested. WeContinue reading “Sabbath Rest”

Journaling In Our Prayer Life

This prayer exercise is a great tool to use to remember to see how God is working in our lives, answering prayer, or guiding us through situations. This is not like a diary; but how God has been communicating to us. INTENTION: To keep a record of communication with God. THE EXERCISE: Decide how you wantContinue reading “Journaling In Our Prayer Life”

Simple Steps (Sharing Our Faith) Part 4 of 4

This blog series (parts 1-4) is the sermon teaching how to share our faith in Jesus Christ easily and naturally. Sermon given by Ryan Stratton on Sunday, September 21, 2014. The Scripture reference for this sermon is Luke 15:1-7. I have heard it said it takes a people an average of 10 times to hearContinue reading “Simple Steps (Sharing Our Faith) Part 4 of 4”

Simple Steps (Sharing Our Faith) Part 3

This blog series (parts 1-4) is the sermon teaching how to share our faith in Jesus Christ easily and naturally. Sermon given by Ryan Stratton on Sunday, September 21, 2014. The Scripture reference for this sermon is Luke 15:1-7. For some reason, many of us, including me, are timid or afraid to witness our faithContinue reading “Simple Steps (Sharing Our Faith) Part 3”

Simple Steps (Sharing Our Faith) Part 2

This blog series (parts 1-4) is the sermon teaching how to share our faith in Jesus Christ easily and naturally. Sermon given by Ryan Stratton on Sunday, September 21, 2014. The Scripture reference for this sermon is Luke 15:1-7. We all know the saying, “there is one in every crowd.” Well Jesus says this shepherdContinue reading “Simple Steps (Sharing Our Faith) Part 2”