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”
Tag Archives: Jesus
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”
Life’s Faithfulness
*sermon preached Sunday, October 12, 2014 Some things we can talk about, teach about, preach about and come together to study each and every week. We hear the same messages or the same theme in the messages in worship; but we don’t change. We don’t always attend worship and think, “God is always with us;Continue reading “Life’s Faithfulness”
Destroying Bridges to Build New Ones
Watching this bridge being destroyed so a stronger one would be build in place of it made me think about the bridges we have built in our lives that need to be destroyed. Think about that for a minute. What bridges have you or I built that we need gone, or to be redirected? IsContinue reading “Destroying Bridges to Build New Ones”
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”
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”
Communication & Prayer
It is easier to internalize everything than talk about it. We find it easier to talk with people than to speak to God. “Just pray about it.” We hear this a lot, but why? *What is prayer? How do I know what to say? *What posture should we use for prayer? *Public or private prayer?Continue reading “Communication & Prayer”
New Life
Ever had a day that you feel like you did everything wrong and nothing went right? Of course you have! Everyone has at some point in our lives. This is true before we encounter Jesus Christ and come to know him and it even happens after we come to know him as Savior. Something toContinue reading “New Life”
R Y A N S T R A T T O N 