When you sit down to read a passage in scripture, it’s good to have some questions floating in your mind. You can systematically work through these, or develop your own list of questions as you study God’s Word. Here is an example of an Interpretive discussion list for you to consider as you seek to grow in your relationship with God and his Word.

An AMAZING wholesome book for the entire family! Check out our review of this new family read-aloud.

God doesn't need to conform to our feelings, or our biological ability to mutilate our bodies. God has made and declared what is good. It is good for men to be manly, and good for women to be womanly. Each culture WILL look slightly different, but that doesn't change the created order of God, and sometimes even cultures (like Western hyper-sexuality culture) as a whole can reject these created distinctive - the fact that Androgynous is a description of a blurred attractiveness of a person, neither fully male or female is evidence of this present sad state. 

Waiting is an immense time of trial, whether waiting for something exciting or something that could be sad. Waiting on a diagnosis, waiting to hear if your child is healthy, waiting to find out if you need to move for a job, waiting to hear from the doctor, waiting and waiting. Waiting in itself can be a hardship, not to mention what the results of that waiting might be. Some things suggested to do while waiting are to keep busy, and not think about the topic. Some find that distraction through watching a show, talking to a friend, or reading a book can ease the suffering of the wait. None of these things are bad but as Christians, we should approach waiting differently than the world. Distraction is not our only weapon, nor is suffering in the midst of waiting for something beyond God’s use for growing or blessing us. Throughout scripture we find people waiting, and we are told to be still and wait patiently for the Lord.

The biggest thing I've learned since being married is that it's not about me. Being a mom is not about me. I quickly learned how selfish of a person I was for wanting my own time. I couldn't believe how much taking care of a family and a new baby took so much of my time.What people don't realize is that marriage, motherhood, and parenthood is one that requires us to be selfless. No, no one is calling us mothers to be martyrs but I truly believe that if people have the desire to be mothers or even parents, we're CALLED.

Among the many practices of the Christian life (such as gathering for worship, meditating on God’s Word, serving the needy, forgiving, and seeking forgiveness) There are two very basic practices in the Christian life; receiving God’s Word, and then speaking with God. Receiving God’s Word of course comes through reading, or hearing the scriptures. And speaking with God occurs in prayer. As soon as the topic of prayer comes up, questions are not far behind. Questions like “If God already knows, why pray?” or “What are the outcomes of prayer?”. It is appropriate to ask questions about prayer as we learn from Jesus' example in answering the first disciples about how to pray (Matthew 6:5-13). In today’s piece, we examine how prayer is linked to the work of Christ, and the role of the prophet. 

This week is Holy Week and we wanted to share with you some of the sermons and posts we have done in the past for this time. As Christians, we celebrate Jesus’ Resurrection every Sunday, but also know that many like the reminders and celebration of Holy Week. We hope that each of you will take time this week to read your scriptures. pray and be in worship with others. Happy Holy Week.

From the writer of Galatian's understanding (Paul the Apostle) Jesus Christ is not only a man, but is someone and something more than just a man. It doesn't take long, just a few verses in Galatians to see how Paul understood and believed that Christ Jesus was divinely God. In Galatians 1:1, at the very beginning of the letter Paul writes "Paul, an apostle—sent not from men nor by a man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father".

7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.1 Peter 4:7-11 NIV

At one point the question was very directly, boldly, and pointedly asked by the father of the home who was not a believer: “So why Christianity? Why not some other belief? Why not Buddhism, or Islam? Why did you decide ‘this must be true for me’?” 

Today we’re going to be looking at what is called the Triumphal Entry. It is called Triumphal because Jesus was declaring himself to be a king, almost as a victorious general or athlete who would ride back into his hometown from battle or a championship to a parade. It is called an Entry not only because it is the way Jesus approached the city of Jerusalem, the capital city of Judea, and the center of Jewish worship, but also the moment that he fully entered into our world. He became a political figure. 

Through His resurrection and exaltation/coronation at the Father’s right hand. He is the Risen King, His victory secured, and now the restoration of the Kingdom is at hand. How will this Kingdom be restored? Through living witnesses of the victory of Jesus in the resurrection. That won’t come without opposition though, this world is the kingdom of darkness, and they hate the light (John 3:20), persecution will come (John 15:20). What in the beginning seemed like a great victory for the Gospel, now seems to be defeat, they are counted as sheep to be slaughtered. How then can the people of the Victorious Christ share in that victory in the kingdom of darkness that hates the light that they represent? That’s what Acts 7 is all about. 

The Ark Encounter has been on our list of places to visit since it opened. We have planned to go a few times, but it never worked out. We are so thankful that God’s time is the best, and we were able to visit when we did. It ended up being the best time of year, and the best time for our family. At the time of our visit, our children were ages 12, 8.5, 6 and 3.5.

As I strolled freely through the Ark exhibit with my wife and children, I saw all of these wonderful answers to secular challenges of God's Word and I felt a freedom that can only be described as a freedom from disinformation. For a brief time we spent at the Ark, our family was removed from secular advertisements that abuse and extort women and enslave men, we were able to speak openly about our faith without worry that we would be the target of those with "alternative lifestyles", and we were able to speak about God's work Going to the Ark was a brief reminder that this world, even in the freedom-ringing United States, is not our home. I'm reminded of Jesus' words that the world will hate us, and when that happens for the sake of Christ, that is a blessed position to be in. 

In this article we will give three tools to understand Ecclesiastes and aid in comprehending this OT sermon as you study and read it: 1.) How the Preacher combines multiple word meanings into a single word to craft a relevant theological truth about common ordinary life, 2.) We will then show how the Preacher utilizes the common (in the ancient world) metaphor of “shepherd” to expose a deeper truth about our inability to find meaning in this life “under the sun”. Lastly, 3.) We will show why our search for meaning in life “under the sun” is utter futility and blinds us to the good and ordinary gifts of God, which include eating, drinking, and being merry when it is done apart from the one good shepherd. Plus a guide for Family Worship.

Is the grace of God in Christ paramount for our faith? When we read the Old Testament do we see a need for God’s grace in Christ? When we read the New Testament do we see the beauty of God’s grace on display in the person and work of Jesus? In our daily aspirations, habits, and thoughts, do we cling to and long to grow closer to God by the grace of Christ?

In John's Gospel the issue of who sent Jesus is one that continually comes up. "πέμπω" (Pempo is how you pronounce this ancient Greek word) is the word that gets used to denote being sent, or sending.  The verb "send" or "sent" is used 32 times in the Gospel of John. Being "sent" matters as it becomes a question of authority, position, power, and jurisdiction.

Many homeschooling families are new to teaching their children at home. They have questions about daily practices, and they also are wondering about the age-old refrain “If we homeschool....will our kids grow up with no social skills or community?” The church can provide answers to these questions. The church has been specializing in education across multiple cultures, languages, and learning styles since the 1st century. The church offers a community in a way that secular institutions can't duplicate. 

A list of books and videos for those who are suffering.

The heaviness of this time of year is a burden for many. The cacophony of voices shouting words like “sale” “special” “discount” and “celebrate” echo as dark empty hallways in the hearts of those grieving, wounded, weak, and weeping. All the memories of loved ones and bygone days seem to pile up and throw themselves across the checkout counter of life during this season. I’ve seen it in the poor, and I’ve seen it in the rich. It’s a look that betrays the inward thoughts. There is nothing in this world that can bring lasting gladness. This world is gray. No, this world is worse than gray. It is overcast with a storm of tears and seemingly no wind to push the storm away from us. All is calm, but all is not bright.