Trail thoughts on "Self-Control" as a way of life from observations from Galatians 5:19-26 & 2 Peter 1:3-7. Self-Control isn't just simply stopping yourself from doing back, it's intentionally directing your life toward good. I use the analogy of a car to illustration this point. You control the car using 3 things; the steering wheel, the accelerator, and the brake. A life intentionally lived only by the brake pedal doesn't go anywhere, a life lived without the brake pedal is out of control and harmful, and a life lived without the steering wheel is a life with no direction or trajectory, so your life might end up somewhere good or off the side of a cliff.

Coffee with Alan - 6-2-22 - Israel

Over the years, I've tried to navigate thoughts and beliefs about the nature of Israel, God's covenant with them, salvation, the importance of allegiance and blessing with Israel as a Saint and as an American. In this coffee with Alan, I delve into a new-to-me perspective and biblical arguments given that I am currently holding and fleshing out the many of the implications of.

In essence; God's covenant is still very much active with Israel. He still blesses Israel, holds His covenant with Israel, and blesses people and nations who bless Israel. *Though, they are not saved nor will they participate in the resurrection to eternal life in the NEW Jerusalem unless they come to faith in the LORD Jesus Christ.

How do we conduct ourselves in this world as God’s saints? The New Covenant is all about being mindful and intentional with how we live our lives and interact with one another in the Church and with outsiders in the world around us. Love on purpose.

Having a great discussion with my friend Mindy who came to faith in Jesus a little over a year ago. Her story is such a great encouragement and reminder of God's amazing grace.

Stop being a Karen! How do we live life without getting or being so easily offended?

Christ has won the Victory! Over what? Why? What does this have to do with us? How to we benefit and enjoy the Victory that Jesus Christ has won? And how does this give Glory to God?

Too often in church theology and practice, we don't make much of the Holy Spirit as much as we do the Father of Jesus. There is often an overemphasis of the Bible over and above, and no where near equal to, the Holy Spirit, the third and just as vital member of the Trinity as the Father and the Son. During this Coffee with Alan, we discuss the vital importance of not placing our study of the Bible over walking by the Spirit. The Bible is not a part of the trinity, the Holy Spirit is. We need to not become a one-winged bird in our faith. In order for our faith to take flight, we must see the scripture and God's Holy Spirit as the two wings by which our faith propels us upward and onward.

We don't intentionally seek to offend people, but often we shy away from offending others by capitulating our core beliefs and the spirit and truth of how we operate and function as a church to the whims and opinions of the culture around us. We have relegated the faith to an intellectual understanding rather than a real spiritual experience. This is why many have weighed and measured the local church and found it wanting. How do we engage with the Spirit and cultivate an ability and freedom to shift our thinking about how to experience God in the local church collectively, relationally, and personally?

You’ve heard it said “Christianity is not a religion, it’s a relationship.” During this coffee with Alan, we take a deeper look into these family dynamics as they pertain to our faith. Because when we view our faith through the lens of “family” we start to see God and ourselves in a right relationship.