Before God calls us to do anything, God acts. In Hebrews 1 we see that in olden times, the period we read about in the Old Testament, God sent messengers to his people. We call them prophets. Now, however, God has done something different. He's sent a son - Jesus. Not God has skin in the game.

"Am I good enough to get in" isn't the right question when it comes to our relationship with God. In 1 John 5:13 we see that God wants us to know that we have eternal life. That life is in his Son, a life we receive by faith, not performance.

Churches talk about having "members:" what do we mean by that? We explore membership through the lens of Romans 12:1-13.

Paul was prepared to live a life zealously dedicated to God. His preparation led him to persecute Christians. Then Jesus interrupted his life and set him on a new path.

If we can describe God's love as "reckless," what are the possible consequences of such love?

If we are "in Christ" that is our primary identity; as our primary identity, it orders and relativizes all our other identities.

Conviction is a gift of the Spirit; through that same Spirit, Jesus delivers us from condemnation.

What do we mean (and not mean) when we say "God is in control?" If we believe it, what consequences does it have for the way we live?

What are some good alternatives to the old motto, "Hate the sin, love the sinner?"

What can we learn from Jeremiah 29 about a possible Christian vision for America?