Failing at Friendship, and the Freedom to be Known
By Ryan Couch
09/04/26
21mins

Failing at Friendship, and the Freedom to be Known

The greatest obstacle to friendship in middle age isn't that nobody wants friends. It's that everyone is waiting for someone else to go first. But here's the good news: Christ has already gone first for you. And because He has, you are free to go first for someone else.
Eternity is Written on our Hearts
Russ Lackey
Russ Lackey
09/02/26

Eternity is Written on our Hearts

Ecclesiastes tells us that there is a time for everything under heaven. But God has also placed eternity in our hearts, and that makes us strange creatures: able to rejoice in this life yet always aching for a life that only Christ can give.
The Priest Had No Chair
Bradley Gray
Bradley Gray
08/28/26

The Priest Had No Chair

What does it take to draw near to God? It takes a perfect priest, a finished work, and a broken body to open the way. In short, it takes everything, which is exactly what Christ has given for you.

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Chad Bird
Chad Bird
03/23/20

Three Hebrew Handholds in a Spinning Crisis

Long ago, the people of Israel began to sing words of encouragement to each other in times of distress. In their songs, the psalms, are three Hebrew words that provide stability for us. They are more than just words—each one encapsulates the way of God with his people. They serve as helpful handholds in times of stress and upheaval. The words are these: רָפָה (be still), קָוָה (wait), and שָׁמַר (watch).
Robert Kolb
Robert Kolb
03/23/20

Preparing for Holy Week: Don’t Forget Satan on Easter

The devil is to be taken seriously, but we should also not give him more credit or more power than he has after being defanged by Christ’s resurrection.
Jeffrey Pulse
Jeffrey Pulse
03/23/20

Old Testament: Ezekiel 37:1-14 (Lent 5: Series A)

The people to whom Ezekiel is prophesying are in exile—separated from the Holy Land. To return to the land of Israel is to be resurrected to new life, to be restored.
John Bombaro
John Bombaro
03/23/20

Epistle: Romans 8:1-11 (Lent 5: Series A)

There has been a blood atonement for sin. Jesus is our propitiation. Jesus has expiated sin. Lent climaxes with this expectation.
David Schmitt
David Schmitt
03/23/20

Gospel: John 11:1-45 (46-53) (Lent 5: Series A)

Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead. But if you pause the story...then it is not just about Jesus raising Lazarus.
Robert Kolb
Robert Kolb
03/15/20

The Ambivalence of Feelings in Lent and Passion Week

Can we fully experience the joy of the Festival of the Resurrection if we do not seriously stare boldly into the sad state of our own faithlessness to Him who promises to be faithful even when we are not?
Jeffrey Pulse
Jeffrey Pulse
03/15/20

Old Testament: Isaiah 42:14-21 (Lent 4: Series A)

The preceding pericope uses the metaphor of a “mighty man,” a “warrior” for the LORD and this is not too much of a stretch for us. However, our text begins with the metaphor of a woman in child birth.
John Bombaro
John Bombaro
03/15/20

Epistle: Ephesians 5:8-14 (Lent 4: Series A)

Paul seems to think singing is an excellent way of practicing and truly nurturing the Christian faith. His thought is that the life, death, resurrection and reign of Christ are the songs in the heart of those who are enlightened.
David Schmitt
David Schmitt
03/15/20

Gospel: John 9:1-41 (Lent 4: Series A)

When the story begins in creation and ends in restoration, all the moments in between are filled with the working of God.
Caleb Keith
Caleb Keith
03/12/20

COVID-19 and a Time of Uncertainty

Is there, or should there be, a Christian response to COVID-19? I think the answer is yes, but not in the sense that Christians have a silver bullet or cure. Christianity and Christians do, however, have something to offer the world in an era of uncertainty. They have the sure promises of Christ.
Kyle G. Jones
Kyle G. Jones
03/11/20

Understanding Jesus’ Parables

When anything other than the gospel of Christ crucified for sinners becomes the center of the parables, we exchange the Gospel for the law.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
03/10/20

Salvation Is from the Jews: Three Ways to Recover Our Old Testament Heritage in the Church Today

The Old Testament often seems like a long lost family--and a rather weird family, at that. How can followers of the Messiah today live our heritage in the Torah, Prophets, and Writings? Here are three simple suggestions.
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