The Gospel
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You Need to Know
Recently, I received the opportunity to contribute as a Guest Blogger to the NorthStar Women’s Network where I wrote on the importance of growing in our comprehension of God’s love. Here is an excerpt: In the context of mutual relationships, love matures in tandem with intimate knowledge and a growing understanding of one another. The cycle works a bit like this: knowing sparks love, love inspires greater knowing, greater knowing produces even deeper love, and so forth. This ever-deepening cycle builds a healthy relationship. However, in the context of a Christian’s relationship with God, love and knowledge work together differently. Father God fully knows His children and loves them infinitely…
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Jesus Understands
Would it surprise you to hear that Jesus did not go to the cross exuding emotional confidence? In The Reason for God, Pastor Tim Keller observes that “Jesus did not face his approaching death with anything like the aplomb and fearlessness that was widely expected in a spiritual hero,” Rather, Keller describes Jesus “as profoundly shaken by his impending doom.” Gospel Accounts Mark describes Jesus as being “crushed with grief to the point of death” before going on to record the way Jesus pleaded with the Father (Mark 14:34, NLT). “Please take this cup of suffering away,” Jesus pleads (v. 36). Luke shares that “[Jesus] was in such agony of…
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Progress not Perfection
Recently, one of our kids ended a semi-lengthy hiatus from a treasured gaming device. Our original decision to take a break from the device was an attempt at creatively dealing with this child’s struggle to obey with a good attitude...