Some invitations hold more significance than others. Think about it: getting an invitation through traditional mail somehow feels weightier than one through Facebook. Saying ‘no’ to a paper invite just feels harder. What about an invitation from God? What does it mean to accept or decline that invite? MATTHEW 22:1-10 | Chris Shandrow

Jesus regularly used stories to talk to people, but sometimes they could be hard to understand. They often had hidden meanings and stories within stories. He frequently used subtext to communicate truth. We are told the stories of Jesus are still relevant for us today, but if the original listeners had trouble understanding them, how […]

In our world, it’s common to see inconsistencies between what Christians profess and how they behave. There often appear to be differences between their beliefs and their actions. Jesus frequently highlighted these disparities among the religious people of his day. So, what can we learn from looking at the gaps between what we believe and […]

Have you ever come across a strange story in the Bible? One that was puzzling or hard to understand? These stories can leave us scratching our heads, wondering what they’re all about. Like, why did Jesus decide to curse a fig tree? And what exactly did he mean when he said we could have whatever […]

We all have the innate feeling that we deserve good things. We might think, “I deserve a raise for all the hard work I put in,” or “I deserve a better grade after studying so diligently.” We can even think we deserve a warning instead of a speeding ticket. But if we’re truly honest with […]

Religion is like a path we walk on as we try to connect with God. But sometimes, two things can mess up this journey: fundamentalism and tradition. They’re like strong winds that blow us off course. When we get too caught up in fundamentalism, we stick strictly to rules and forget about God’s love for […]

Many of us are familiar with the story of Jesus cleansing the temple, when he overturned tables and chairs of people selling animals and exchanging money. But, while this action is vivid in our minds, the deeper question lingers: why did he do it? Understanding the ‘why’ is the key to unlocking its relevance in […]

Who is Jesus? The answer varies based on our perception: He can be seen as a loving God, an enlightened teacher, a close friend, or an unknowable deity. Some view him through the lens of a social justice democrat, while others see him as a pro-life republican. People depict him as black, white, or Middle […]

Every Christmas, we sing “Joy to the World,” but have you ever wondered where joy comes from? The Bible tells us that joy can be found in various things, from having wise children to enjoying a simple bottle of wine. As we follow the theme of joy in the Bible, it becomes clear that God […]

Christmas is the season for peace on earth and goodwill toward men. But what does that mean? Peace isn’t just the calm after a family squabble or the feeling we get watching a sunset – it’s deeper than that. Let’s unwrap the Christmas story to discover what peace means and how it can transform our […]