Scripture: Psalm 139:13-14 For it was you who formed my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; that I know very well. Thought for the Day: I love this quote from the figure skater, Johnny Weir: Love myself I do. Not everything, but I love the good as well as the
Scripture: Romans 1:7 To all God’s beloved in Rome, who are called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Thought for the Day: Excuse me for drawing upon Brian McLaren two days in a row, but this one was too good. McLaren writes in his book, A Generous Orthodoxy: …the more one respects Jesus, the more one must
Scripture: Romans 11:17-20 But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, a wild olive shoot, were grafted in their place to share the rich root of the olive tree, do not boast over the branches. If you do boast, remember that it is not you that support the root, but the root that supports you. You will say, “Branches were broken off so that I
Scripture: Romans 10:17 So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ. Thought for the Day: The reaction to yesterday’s sermon was a wonderful example of how the people of Cypress Creek Christian Church are mature enough to hear something that might push them without freaking out. There might have been some who disagreed with what I preached, but again,
Scripture: Romans 8:38-39 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Thought for the Day: I have worked with numerous people in my ministry who, in their brokenness
Scripture: Romans 13:8 Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. Thought for the Day: I have always loved these words – we are not bound by (owe) anything, but there is a duty for us to love one another. Paul is clear that we are not bound by the law, but to love is the fulfillment
Scripture: Romans 16:17-18 I urge you, brothers and sisters, to keep an eye on those who cause dissensions and offenses, in opposition to the teaching that you have learned; avoid them. For such people do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the simple-minded. Thought for the Day: A friend from Seminary, Phil Gulley, wrote
Scripture: Psalm 88:3-4 For my soul is full of troubles, and my life draws near to Sheol. I am counted among those who go down to the Pit; I am like those who have no help… Thought for the Day: Have you ever visited Sheol? For many, that is a strange word. Some translators have translated it as hell, but that is a lousy translation. It describes the
Scripture: Philippians 2:9-11 Therefore, God highly honored him and gave him a name above all names, so that at the name of Jesus everyone in heaven, on earth, and under the earth might bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Thought for the Day: These words from Philippians echo the prophet Isaiah who wrote, “Surely every knee will
Scripture: Matthew 23:11 The one who is greatest among you will be your servant. Thought for the Day: There is a book that came out about a decade ago or so entitled Cross-Cultural Servanthood. The author, Duane Elmer, writes in the book: Power is meant to be shared with the goal of empowering others. Hoarded power weakens others and exalts oneself. Power, when grounded in biblical values, serves