How do we face fear? The truth is that even in the face of death we can express thankfulness to God. Why? Because He is God and we are not.

We all have things in our lives that have not worked out as we expected or hoped, and at some point we will all go through valleys. Praise God that his heart grieves over the sadness, pain and death in his good world, and that he is with us in the valley and able to shepherd us through it.

Are you drawn to Jesus or will you keep him at arm's length? Like light, Jesus chases away the darkness in our hearts. Stop, take stock, look at Jesus and fall in love with him again.

Jesus didn't tell parables as simple little stories to please the crowd. He told them to divide. People were, and are, either responsive or resistant to Jesus and his teaching. In the parable of the soils there were four soils, not just two. What are we to make of the thorny and shallow soils?

Why is our love for Jesus often weaker than we think it should be? In today's passage we see the principle that greater awareness of forgiveness leads to greater love for the forgiver.

Too easily we miss how involved Christ is in our lives today. Our relationship with him is not dependent on our worthiness, how we work up bigger faith, or the wealth of our knowledge. What is really important is the responsiveness of our hearts to him.

We live in a culture that avoids almost all references to 'death.' But for most of the world death is a real and present reality. Jesus compassionately conquers death, for those who don't deserve it.

We are very grateful to God for our new leaders. The Apostle Paul was a Christian leader who served the church, with integrity, tears, courage, compassion, proclaiming and teaching the whole Gospel.

What is the most important thing parents can do for their kids? Our biggest need is an answer to the brokenness we see the world- it is only by meeting Jesus that we have an answer and hope.

A Disciple is a Follower of Christ, being transformed, in relationship with Christ and His people. With him we discover our part in his mission - an invitation to be a disciple-making disciple.