Posts

The Sabbath: When tools become our masters.

Then Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people, and not people to meet the requirements of the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord, even over the Sabbath!” Mark 2:27-28 God has given us incredible tools to help us navigate life - the Sabbath being a foundational one. A rhythm of rest. A weekly reminder that we are not machines. A holy invitation to stop, breathe, and remember who we are and whose we are. But somewhere along the way, we forget. We take the tools meant to serve us and we let them rule us. We do it with Sabbath, turning it into a checklist of do’s and don’ts instead of a window into God’s mercy. We do it with money, obsessing over security instead of trusting the Provider. We do it with our bodies, our image, our knowledge, even our theology. We idolize success. We weaponize Scripture. We cling to politics as if the Kingdom depends on our side winning. It’s not always blatant. Sometimes it’s subtle... just a quiet drift away from intimacy with G...
Post a Comment
Read more

On the Road to Emmaus: A Journey of Presence and Purpose

Image
The story of the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13–35) is a rich picture of what it means to follow Jesus in the aftermath of disappointment, confusion, and resurrection hope. This passage offers a rhythm for our daily walk with Christ: honest reflection, seeking and walking with Him, recognizing His presence, inviting Him to stay, and moving forward with hearts on fire.  Opening Reflection Song:   " Come Thou Fount (I Will Sing) " by Chris Tomlin 1. Honest Reflection & Disappointment The Emmaus journey begins with grief and unmet expectations. The disciples are processing Jesus' death and dashed hopes: "We had hoped He was the one to redeem Israel" (v. 21). This is where many of us live - between the promise and its fulfillment, the cross and the empty tomb. Faith does not mean we avoid disappointment, it means we invite Jesus into it. God can handle our questions. In fact, He often meets us right there. Reflection: What expectations have you held that didn't ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Hearing the Melody Again

Image
Inspired by Sunnybrook Community Church ’s Christmas Message (2024) Sunnybrook Christmas Message - Bach in G# (YouTube) John 3:16–17 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”   Think of a beautiful piece of music that stirs your soul. Now imagine it being played completely out of tune by someone who doesn’t know the instrument. You’d cringe—but you wouldn’t blame the music. You’d still know that something deeper and more beautiful exists behind the broken performance. That’s how many people experience Christianity. The Gospel is beautiful—but we’ve often played it poorly.
Post a Comment
Read more

Don’t Sign the Deal

Image
We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the One who was born of God keeps them safe, and the evil one cannot harm them —1 John 5:18 (NIV) We’ve all had that moment - cornered by a relentless salesperson. Maybe it was a used car lot where someone promised you the “deal of a lifetime,” or a timeshare rep who just wouldn’t take no for an answer. They were persuasive, persistent, and just manipulative enough to make you question your resolve. That’s exactly how the enemy works. Satan doesn’t often show up in dramatic fashion. Instead, he slips into our thoughts like a pushy salesman, offering us lies wrapped in truth:  “You’ll be happier if you just take this path…” “God must be holding out on you…” “One compromise isn’t a big deal…”  He can’t make us sign anything, but he’ll pressure us until we cave—unless we remember: we don’t have to do it alone. The Holy Spirit is our constant counselor, whispering truth when the enemy’s tactics grow loud. He reminds us who ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Crossing the Chasm from False-Self to True-Self in Christ

Image
In our journey of faith, we often struggle between two identities—the False-Self, driven by fear, pride, and self-preservation, and the True-Self, shaped by love, humility, and God’s purpose for us. Scripture teaches that sin creates a chasm between us and God, one that we cannot bridge on our own. But through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, we are invited to step out of the old self and into the new, living as the people God created us to be. 1. The Chasm: Our Sinful Nature vs. Our True Identity in Christ The False-Self aligns with the "natural man" and represents the self-centered, ego-driven nature that leads to separation from God. Romans 3:23 – "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Isaiah 59:2 – "But your iniquities have separated you from your God." 2. Christ as the Bridge Over the Chasm Christ's death and resurrection reconcile us to God, transforming us from the old (False-Self) to the new (True-Self). John 14:6 – "I a...
Post a Comment
Read more

Apprentice with Jesus

Father, Thank You for drawing me deeper into apprenticeship with Jesus. I don’t want to settle for a surface-level faith. I want to truly be with Jesus, become like Him, and do as He did. Teach me to test the spirits with wisdom and discernment, not just in what I hear, but in how I live. Help me recognize what is true and reject what pulls me away from You. Lord, I confess that at times I’ve followed You haphazardly, without intentionality. But I want to change that. Shape my heart and mind so that my daily life reflects You. Guide me as I dive into Scripture, as I journal, and as I seek to understand why Jesus did what He did. May Your Word be the foundation I build my life on. Give me the courage to speak up in conversations, to gently redirect when things drift from Your truth, and to seek out others who share a deep desire to follow You. Help me to lead with humility, grace, and love, always pointing back to You. Jesus, You are my Rabbi, my Teacher, my Savior. I want to follow You...
Post a Comment
Read more

Jesus’ Character and Teachings (Practicing the Way)

Jesus’ character and teachings, as emphasized in Practicing the Way by John Mark Comer , reveals the depth of His love, humility, and devotion to God’s will. Each trait is not just an example but an invitation to live as His apprentices, transforming our hearts and actions to reflect His way of life. Father, Thank You for sending Jesus to show us the way to live. Help us to keep His character at the center of our hearts and His teachings as the guide for our lives. Fill us with His love, that we may love others selflessly. Shape us in His humility, that we may serve rather than seek status. Teach us His compassion, that we may see others as He sees them. Holy Spirit, lead us to walk as Jesus walked - trusting the Father, living simply, forgiving freely, and speaking truth with boldness and grace. Keep our hearts at rest in Him, finding joy in His presence and peace in His ways. Make us more like Jesus today than we were yesterday. Let our lives reflect His light. Amen Love Matthew...
Post a Comment
Read more