INSPIRATIONS

By: Aaron Clifford During this time we have begun to redefine what the church looks like. For most of us we have the notion that Church is a building. We have four walls and we have music, a message and we have offering. Is this really what the church is supposed to look like? When we look at the early Church this was not the case. They understood that the church was not what we think of the church today. …

By: TJ Johnson Among the book of the twelve (Minor Prophets), Jonah stands out as the prophet’s prayer book. The secular sailors pray to Yahweh. The prodigal prophet prays to Yahweh. The nefarious Ninevites pray to Yahweh. What is even more astounding than their prayer, is that each group’s prayer is heard and ANSWERED by God. None of them deserve it. Nevertheless, God gives it joyfully. It seems to me that Chapter 2 is not so much a word-for-word recording of Jonah’s…

by: TJ Johnson Remember the pattern of Jonah: Go Preach Pray Pity The first obstacle to sharing our faith is God breaking through our rebellious, disobedient hearts to give us a passion for sharing His glory. This past week we heard God’s heart for the nations. In hearing God call Jonah to, “Arise and go,” we have heard Him call each of us to go as well. This is His attempt to break us for His glory, that His call…

By TJ Johnson This weekend we begin a study in the book of Jonah. This story often gets relegated to a simple children’s tale, “Jonah and the Whale”, which makes for a great cartoon (VeggieTales) or Sunday school lesson, but offers very little to rational adults. But Jonah is not a story about a great whale (or fish or beast of the sea). The purpose of this fish, which only gets a few verses in the entire book, is to magnify…

By TJ Johnson Christmas is over (or at least soon to be, depending on when you are reading this).While we may officially celebrate the birth of Jesus only once a year, the GOOD NEWS that Jesus has come into our world should be celebrated year round. The birth of a baby born in Bethlehem is NOT the end of the story. Hebrews 9:22 tell us, “Without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin”. This child in the manger must become the man…

By: TJ Johnson Many in this world believe that a “happy Christian” is a paradox of sorts. Christianity isn’t about delight but duty.  It isn’t about laughter but lament.  It isn’t about happiness but holiness. But what if our holiness is magnified BECAUSE OF our happiness? What if our lament over sin is meant to be turned into laughter (Psalm 126)? What if our duty to obey is spurred on through our delight in the one whom we obey? What…

By: Aaron Clifford  There was no Starbucks, no taobao, no Christmas gifts, no Christmas trees, no chestnuts roasting on open fires, and no Santa Clause. There was no Christmas Movies, no singing jingle bells, there was no decking the halls and no mistletoe. Then what was there that first Christmas? What Happened that first Christmas? We have three different stories all happening at once. We have Mary and Joseph, Shepherds, and Wisemen and we see there stories all collide for…