through a glass darkly

Carey is one of the influential voices to listen to if you are involved in ministry on any level. Check out his first blog of 2018:  7 Disruptive Church Trends That Will Rule 2018 . "Too many church leaders are perfectly equipped to  reach a world that no longer exists ." Ouch!  Ain't that the truth. Quickly, here are the church trends Carey believes will dominate 2018: A Move Beyond Church In A Box The Digital Will Become Real Location Independence Will Rise Pop-Up Churches Will Become More Common The Rise Of Preaching (More Than Teaching) A Desire For Non-Downloadable Experiences The Team Is Eclipsing The Solo Leader Be sure to check out Carey's blog for the full explanation of each of the 7 disruptive Church trends for 2018. Happy New Year!

Put this song on repeat...I Need You Now

I've been inspired recently to pick up blogging again.  A couple of really good blogs I've been checking out that inspired me are Colby Martin's blog and Glennon Doyle Melton's blog . You'll never know what little tidbits you'll find here.  One thing is certain, I'll blog about books I'm reading. I'm currently reading Wayne Gretzky's 99: Stories of the game .  What a great book for any hockey fan, especially in this 100th season of the NHL .  It provides a great backdrop to this season and is a great historical read of the game. Seven books I need to read this Winter/Spring: Present over Perfect - Shauna Niequist Love Warrior - Glennon Doyle Melton A Mile Wide - Brandon Hatmaker Finding God in the Waves - Mike McHargue The Great Spiritual Migration - Brian McLaren The Divine Dance - Richard Rohr Unclobber - Colby Martin Welcome to this leg of the journey (for however long it lasts)!

“Election is weighted on the side of mercy.”   Romans 11:32 Yes, we are elected, that is, we are elected the moment we receive Christ by faith, as Lord and Savior of our lives!   God does not predestine some to eternal life in heaven and some to eternal life in hell.   A loving God could not do such a thing. Romans 11:32 backs this up and is a verse that contains “the only real double predestination in the Bible.”  (1)  God has bound all to disobedience; we can do no good.  (2)  God has mercy on all; Jew and Gentile alike! God excludes everybody on the basis of law and works so that He can include all on the basis of mercy!  Amen!  Without God’s grace we are unable to respond, but, because of the grace of God we are response - able!  Amazing Grace!

"The doctrine of holiness should always be considered in it's proper setting--as an integral part of the redemptive purpose of God for men.  Rightly understood it is the one serious attempt which believers may make (as God shall help them) to translate the spirit of Jesus into a recognizable pattern of Christian behaviour." ~Frederick Coutts, The Call to Holiness

In the morning Lord we do look to you For the strength we need just to make it through Have mercy In the evening Lord we look back and say It was in your strength that we made our way Have mercy You are everything we need Feed us Lord