Mary’s baby. Born over 2,000 years ago in a small town known as Bethlehem. He entered the world not in a palace – not even a Marriot – but a stable. Much has changed over the last 2,000 years. Many of us drive more miles in an average month than Mary or Joseph traveled in their lifetime. Back then, breaking news was spread from person-to-person, from town to town. Today, we know within seconds when an earthquake strikes Asia. Our cell phones allow us to talk with people the next state over while looking up directions to the restaurant across town. On the other hand, not much about human nature has changed at all. We still battle selfish behavior. We wrestle with the weight of poor decisions. We long to be accepted, to feel like we belong. And most of all, we still need a Savior. Which connects Christmas to…
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Last week I bought a new Bible (New Living Translation, center reference edition, faux leather) and have begun reading through the gospels. I finished Matthew this morning and started the book of Mark. Through the first four chapters, I noticed how often Mark describes people's reaction to Jesus: Mark 1:22 ... "The people were amazed at his teaching, for he taught with real authority—quite unlike the teachers of religious law." Mark 1:27-28 ... "Amazement gripped the audience, and they began to discuss what had happened. “What sort of new teaching is this?” they asked excitedly. “It has such authority! Even evil spirits obey his orders!” The news about Jesus spread quickly throughout the entire region of Galilee." Mark 1:33 ... "The whole town gathered at the door to watch." Mark 1:37 ... "When they found him, they said, 'Everyone is looking for you.'" Mark 1:45 ... "But the man went…
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Over the weekend we loaded up the van and did a whirlwind tour of Kansas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. While Oklahoma was fascinating, Kansas had to be the most exciting landscape we saw during the five days we were on the road. While I regret not being able to see the 37-inch donkey advertised just east of Hays, Kansas, I'm sure I'll have another occasion to spend quality time in Kansas. We traveled to Petit Jean, Arkansas, to celebrate Tonya's grandma's 90th birthday. Nearly everyone on her side of the family was there -- aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and me. We rented cabins and spent the days eating our way from cabin to cabin. Brisket at cousin Ricky's won my heart. Nothing quite says love like a good piece of brisket. Although I was battling an eye infection, it was good to spend time with Tonya's two brothers and her…
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We're launching a new adult discipleship initiative at Mountainview called E4University. We'll have four tracks of spiritual formation to choose from. Encounter: Developing personal spiritual growth habits. Elevate: Applying God’s direction in your life. Equip: Understanding God and His Word. Engage: Using your unique SHAPE in ministry to God and others. Simply put, we want you to know God better and to love Him more passionately. E4U is a new learning environment for adults and teens designed to help you grow in your understanding of God and His Word. Based on four spiritual formation themes, E4U offers entry-level classes for new believers as well as more topics for those who wish to dive deeper.
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After Christmas I will be preaching a two-part series at Mountainview called "Under New Management." The basic premise is this: When you invite Jesus into your life, be careful. When he takes up residence, he likes to change things around. The first message will be "Closed for Remodeling," picking up on this idea that salvation and transformation go hand-in-hand. God loves us as we are ... but has no intention of leaving us there. The second message will be "Casting Nets or Casting Stones." This is the one I'm currently ruminating (!) over. As Christ-followers, we can choose to be a person who casts stones -- like those in John 8:1-11. To those who felt "holier than thou" Jesus offered this challenge: ""If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." Too many Christ-followers are stone throwers. It's easy for…
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