Hi Friends! I’m so excited to share the great piece below by my good friend Scott Carr Jr., who writes his own blog at reimaginefaith.org (check it out!) and attends Mantua Creek Church (EPC). Last week, while I was speaking at another church, he shared the below with our group and I received so many positive comments on it. Indeed, … Read More
Reflections on Waiting, Sources of Empowerment, and Uncertainty
By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to set out for a place that he was to receive as an inheritance, and he set out, not knowing where he was going. Heb. 11:8, NRSVUE It’s hard to wait… This is true for any of us whether we’re two or 82. Whether we’re looking for employment or the next chance … Read More
Pursuing God’s Heart in 2024
Happy New Year, Friends! 2 Timothy 1:3-18 is my favorite passage to meditate on as I begin a new year, partly because of the simple, memorable, three-point outline below.[1] In an effort to share it with you as clearly as possible, after some introductory remarks related to 3-5, I’ll offer some reflective thoughts and questions after each point and relevant … Read More
Eagle Powers for Christmas?
“But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.” (John 1:12-13, NRSVUE) We know well that worship is at the center of the Christian celebration of Christmas. As … Read More
Another Opportunity for Shared Impact
The heavens declare the glory of God,and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.Day to day pours out speech,and night to night reveals knowledge.There is no speech, nor are there words,whose voice is not heard. Psalm 19:1-3, ESV Hi All, Updates to the Genesis 1 and Science booklet in the Constructive Conversations series are now live and ready for some good … Read More
Exclusive Prayer and Ministry Update-113023
Hi All, This ministry update is dedicated to the Mantua Creek church plant. Before reading further, please take a moment to download and scroll through our updated prospectus: As I said in my August ministry update, “God has opened and closed doors consistent with continuing Mantua Creek and taking it into its next season. This is where I’ve settled personally: For … Read More
True Christian Spirituality
“Sin is basically ingratitude, and in Christianity, religion is grace and ethics is gratitude.” -Klyne Snodgrass ‘Be careful, then, how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, 16 making the most of the time, because the days are evil. 17 So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 Do not get drunk with wine, for that is … Read More
God’s Power and Our Efforts
“Then he [the angel] said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts.” Zechariah 4:6, ESV Below is a favorite by Abraham Kuyper from his devotional classic The Practice of Godliness. It’s been a great reminder in my struggles that “waiting on … Read More
The Great Dechurching
The Great Dechurching: Who’s Leaving, Why Are They Going, and What Will It Take to Bring Them Back? is a rigorously researched book that’s getting a lot of attention right now and says we’re at a crossroads: One path is to keep “fighting for power and influence in society.” The other is to “embrace our position as exiles, exercising our … Read More
Mantua Creek’s Impact!
Last Sunday I handed out a half sheet of paper to my friends in our little church plant (the pic above is about half of us) and asked “How has Mantua Creek impacted your life?” I gave everyone ten minutes and below are some of the responses I got. As you read through them, I hope you’re as encouraged as … Read More