Normalizing sin. This is the #1 problem in our church/culture today, if you want to boil it down to a simple answer. We have normalized sin. We have made it okay. We had looked at the evil, the ugliness, the nastiness, the separation from God, and said, "Sure. I'm good with that." I believe one of the primary drives behind this is our entertainment choices. I studied … [Read more...]
Heart Attitudes & Amazing Grace
Hi new friends! This is my first post here at STC, and I'm so happy to be here! I want to discuss Numbers 11 with you. It stood out to me in my Bible reading. In my Bible, this chapter is titled, "The People Complain." I will go along and outline what happened, but I encourage you to go to your own Bible and read that chapter for yourself. This event takes place as … [Read more...]
2 Overlooked Truths That Will Change Your Life Today
I scoured the pantry for the chocolate chips, my go-to stash when there's no other chocolate in the house. The search wasn't quite frantic, but it was certainly urgent as I sought what my appetite craved. When I finally conceded to myself that the hunt was in vain, I'm pretty sure my shoulders slumped a little. I wasn't going to get my fix. Not this time. As I … [Read more...]
Why You Don’t Need to Forgive Yourself (and What You Really Need Instead)
Some Christians have walked with the Lord practically all their lives, coming to know Jesus Christ as their personal Savior as young children and clinging closely to Him from that point onward. For the majority, however, that isn't the case. Most believers have a blemished history. A past marked by varying degrees of wickedness, often including at least one particularly … [Read more...]
Celebrating a Baby Born to Live
I love the Christmas season. I enjoy the anticipation. The decorations. The sweet treats and the glow of candles. The hustle and bustle, and the quiet and tender. It seems that my thirst for pondering time is unquenchable during this time of year. Pondering the amazing reality of a baby born to die, that I might live. But my pastor recently preached about … [Read more...]