Genesis 32:22-32Jacob Wrestles Whom? God invites us to wrestle with Him in trying times – times of fear (like Jacob), disappointment, loss, or suffering. He condescends to lead us, even kicking and screaming, through these challenges. The question is, are we willing? Ask the Lord to...
Under the Hood:Manufacturer’s Warranty Pastor Dave returned to the topic of the importance of the institutional church, focusing on the question: Why are churches the only “dealerships” certified and authorized to service the warranty from our “manufacturer,” God?...
Pastor Shannon used a car wreck as an analogy for suffering. Both are unplanned, unwanted, painful, and common. His goal was to help us think rightly – meaning, biblically – about suffering. Here are suggestions for prayer inspired by his main points: Pastor Shannon noted that we are...
UNDER THE HOOD:OUT OF GAS I am thanking God for a pastor who addresses hard things head-on, who is willing to step on our toes for our own good and for the good of Christ’s church. The problem Pastor Dave tackled on Sunday was apathy about the value and importance of the institutional...
Genesis 32:1-21Hope of Reconciliation The frame around Pastor Shannon’s sermon was the question, Who makes it hard for you to go home for Christmas? … whether you define home in terms of your natural family or your church family. What relationship in your life is fractured? It...
Genesis 31:17-55 In these Jacob-chapters of Genesis, we have repeatedly seen Jacob assume that the blessings in his life – the wives and children, the wealth in flocks and herds, the protection from Laban – were the results of his own decisions and actions. In truth, God was the...
Genesis 30:25-43Undeserved Blessing In this passage, two master tricksters – Jacob and Laban – make a business deal involving flocks of sheep and goats. Then each man slyly tries to gain advantage over the other. Before the deal can be implemented, Laban removes the spotted and...
POLAND It was a joy and a privilege to spend time with Pastor Jan Tomczyk from Bydgoszcz, Poland, and Russ Brown of Poland Evangelical Mission over the weekend. I hope you will use this Poland Edition of the blog to spend some concentrated time in prayer for Poland, for the church in Poland, and...
Genesis 29:31 – 30:24Jacob’s Children Jacob’s two wives had legitimate problems. Leah felt great sadness because her husband did not love her. Rachel was disappointed because she was barren. But their problems did not drive them toward God. They ran in the opposite...
Genesis 29:1-30A Man Reaps What He Sows I was impressed by the insights Pastor Dave shared from a detailed comparison of a servant’s journey to Paddan-aram seeking a wife for Isaac and Jacob’s journey to the same place also seeking a wife. Lord, remind us that Your word is...