Matthew 16 depicts a conversation between Jesus and his disciples. Along the way, they are asked, “Who do people say I [Jesus] am?” And “Who you you say I [Jesus] am?” This is a very important question for us to be able to answer, but is there another question, from this passage, that will changeContinue reading “Important Question to Consider”
Category Archives: Life
HOLY DISCONTENT
What about that phrase stands out to you? Recently, I gave a benediction in worship that used the phrase, “May you have Holy Discontent…”. A few people asked if they heard me correctly. They did. Context. A few years ago, I heard this “non-traditional” blessing, and it stuck with me: May God bless you withContinue reading “HOLY DISCONTENT”
Loving to Life!
INTRODUCTION What does it mean to be “loved to life”? Have you noticed how many people seem to be walking around in a daze, or seem like they live with no purpose? What about those who seem to have lost all emotion and feelings for life? Organizations, churches, work can be the same way. MaybeContinue reading “Loving to Life!”
Neglecting Our Faith
I see it time and time again. Well-meaning people go about their day and ignore the issues they pass. These are people we would call “good Christians.” These people go through the day focused on what needs to be done. Here’s the truth. I can attempt to criticize “these” people all I want. But theContinue reading “Neglecting Our Faith”
Is AI Technology Helping Us?
Chat GPT and all these other AI (artificial intelligence) tools are pretty cool. You can get incredible information and creative content based on the gazillion data stored online for many years. Combining your thoughts or prompts with the “genius” of brilliant people through the years can help you post great stories, blogs, essays, you nameContinue reading “Is AI Technology Helping Us?”
What are you doing here?
“What are you doing here?” How would you answer this question? If you’re like me, you would talk about the tasks you need to do, or the journey that got you to this point. Seems like a legit response, right? But, in 1 Kings 19:9-18, when God asks Elijah, when he was hiding in theContinue reading “What are you doing here?”
How to Read the Bible
The Bible is the book that has changed millions of lives over the last few thousand years. It is a life changing book. This “book” has changed my life. Yet, the Bible can be challenging to read. John Wesley, the 18th century founder of the Methodist Movement, called “searching the scriptures” (reading and studying theContinue reading “How to Read the Bible”
Matthew 13
Take some time to read this parable: “That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “AContinue reading “Matthew 13”
Leadership that Encourages
What makes a person a leader? This is the point where I would hear things like, “good role model, smart, think outside the box, knows how to get things done, etc. etc. etc.” But here’s the answer. A person is a leader when there are people following him/her. That’s it. You cannot lead if thereContinue reading “Leadership that Encourages”
What Does It Mean to Receive Christ?
Christians often talk about “believing in” Jesus or “receiving” Jesus. What does this mean? How does “believing in” or “receiving” Jesus impact ad change our life?
R Y A N S T R A T T O N 