Equal Joy and Grief

“I speak the truth in Christ—I am not lying, my conscience is testifying to me with the Holy Spirit—that I have intense sorrow and continual anguish in my heart.” (Romans 9:1) The apostle Paul cared greatly for people. He traveled often at personal cost to spend time with others and share with them his most…

Arts of Gospel Neighboring (John 13)

MOTIVATE Today is Valentine’s Day. The origins of the holiday are based on legend.[1] One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men. Valentine, realizing…

To Judge Or Not To Judge

Unfortunately, there are a plethora of recent incidents in the church and public society that have cast a dark shadow and an enduring stain. We cannot look away, and we must not be silent. Even more unfortunate are those who intentionally endorse or unintentionally defend immoral actions. In the church there seems to be two…

Arts of Gospel Neighboring (Mark 10:32-52)

MOTIVATE Interview questions help get to know about person/job. Employers like to throw in a few odd questions to test the person’s thinking process. How many tennis balls could fit in your car? Why are manhole covers round and not square? How would you spend one million dollars? You’ve been given an elephant you cannot…