Over spring break, my daughter accepted the responsibility for watching her friend's two turtles. They came in a large glass case, complete with straw, a light, water, and lettuce. Observing these turtles for a few minutes led me to a not-so-startling conclusion. Turtles are boring. They eat, sleep, and don't move around very much. Actually, most of the time, they stand in the corner of the case, pressing their heads against the glass as if to say: "There has to be more to life!" I'm willing to bet that there are a lot of people in this world who feel the same way - there has to be more to life than this. For all of us looking for a new kind of life, the resurrection of Jesus provides hope. He is the archetype of new life. And, this life gives us a new purpose. This Sunday, we saw how the resurrection gives us hope for new life...not just some day, not just one day, but today!

Over spring break, my daughter accepted the responsibility for watching her friend's two turtles. They came in a large glass case, complete with straw, a light, water, and lettuce. Observing these turtles for a few minutes led me to a...

Jim Marshall ran the wrong way. In 1964, Jim was playing defense for the Minnesota Vikings. In a game against the 49ers, he picked up a fumble and ran the football...in the wrong direction. He was so happy. He had absolutely no idea he was about to score a safety for the other team. He was working for the enemy. Sometimes, as a follower of Jesus, I inadvertently work for the enemy. I don't mean to work against the Kingdom of God. It just sort of happens. Other times, it's not so inadvertent. In Acts 5, the early church experienced this for the first time - someone, within their ranks, working for the enemy. This Sunday, we kept pressing forward in the book of Acts. And, we're saw how the church can avoid working for the enemy!

Jim Marshall ran the wrong way. In 1964, Jim was playing defense for the Minnesota Vikings. In a game against the 49ers, he picked up a fumble and ran the football...in the wrong direction. He was so happy. He had absolutely no idea he was about to...

A couple years ago, a noted game reviewer and podcaster lost his son from complications after a premature birth. As you can imagine, the hospital bills from this experience were quite large. When the international board game community (yes, there is such a thing!) heard, several people organized a large auction to help raise funds for the family. Game collectors from around the world sold games and donated money to help this family in need. So much money was raised, and the podcaster was so humbled, he started a fund with the leftover money that helps other gamers in their time of need. Community is a powerful thing. When a group of people have a common bond, they tend to do things that are unusual. We see a similar thing in this week's passage (Acts 4:32-35). The believers were unified around a common bond. Most of all, we see a group of people sacrificially living out what it means to be in Christian Community. Not because they were selling all they had, but because they were giving testimony of the resurrection of Jesus! I hope you enjoy this look at one more way the "resurrection changes everything!"

A couple years ago, a noted game reviewer and podcaster lost his son from complications after a premature birth. As you can imagine, the hospital bills from this experience were quite large. When the international board game community (yes, there is...

There are moments when it seems like nothing in life is ever easy. At these moments, the simplest of tasks meet opposition. Opposition can be discouraging. In Acts 4, the early church faced her first opposition. They discovered the Gospel is key to overcoming opposition. This Sunday, we commissioned Ryan Lenerz to leave his internship and enter full time ministry. This was an exciting moment. And, while he will certainly face opposition, we also wanted to encourage him. The Gospel triumphs!

There are moments when it seems like nothing in life is ever easy. At these moments, the simplest of tasks meet opposition. Opposition can be discouraging. In Acts 4, the early church faced her first opposition. They discovered the Gospel is key to...

I've thought a lot about names. When you've had 6 kids, 4 dogs, 4 cats, 1 gecko, and countless fish, you spend some time thinking about names. A name can communicate both an identity and a mission. We gave our latest child the name "Malachi" because, in Hebrew, it means "my messenger." His identity is Malachi. But, we also desire for him to be a messenger of the good news of God's mercy. On a starry night so long ago, Mary and Joseph gave their son a name - Jesus. The name means "God Saves." It's an identity AND a mission. Jesus came to save sinners. This Sunday, we dug into Acts 3:1-10. We saw the power of the name of Jesus. His name is powerful to change all of our lives!

I've thought a lot about names. When you've had 6 kids, 4 dogs, 4 cats, 1 gecko, and countless fish, you spend some time thinking about names. A name can communicate both an identity and a mission. We gave our latest child the name...