We’re nearing the end of our churchwide study of 1 Peter, and if you’ve been following along, you probably noticed that I conveniently skipped over 1 Peter 3:18-22 in my previous sermon. Admittedly, it’s a difficult passage to make sense of, but that’s not why I skipped it. I chose to leave it out because …
Jesus went where and did what?! A brief explanation of 1 Peter 3:18-22 Read More »
Instead of being glued to the TV or social media watching election results, let me suggest a few things you can do today (and this week): Go for a walk. I know, it’s brisk out (at least here in Maryland), so bundle up. Feel the cold on your face. Breathe in the air. You’re alive. …
How to Spend Election Day (and maybe the days after…) Read More »
To all the exiles at Grace Community Church, Today begins a nervous period of vote-counting and pundit-projecting that might feel uncertain and chaotic. This election is coming during one of the most divisive and polarizing times in our modern-day history, and as a nation, we have certainly been through a lot. The issues and worries …
The world is on fire. Riots erupt in cities across our nation – the unsurprising outbursts of community after community who are tired and fed up not only with systemic injustice, but also the systemic ignoring of their plight. Citizens distrust the very people sworn to protect them. Social media is also ablaze with statement …
A Statement About Statements – Here's where it gets real Read More »
Over the last two years, I’ve taken some time on the last day of the year to recommend/report on the 5 books from the previous year that have left an imprint on me. These books range across various genres including children’s literature, and I usually don’t have a particular rhyme or reason as to why …
Dear Grace, A few weeks ago, a group of evangelical pastors led by the faithful Bible teacher, John MacArthur, produced the Statement on Social Justice and the Gospel. Pastors around the world were then invited to sign on in support of the statement. While there was much in the statement that I agree with, there were …
Why I Didn't Sign the Statement on Social Justice Read More »
Last Sunday night, the sky opened like a faucet over my neighborhood, and my first thought was, “Oh no, Old Ellicott City (OEC).” That morning, I preached a message from James 4:13f. on the uncertainty of our lives and the caution of presuming on our plans. Watching the footage of the flooding, I felt the …
Last weekend, we continued our series through James by considering the root causes of conflict. I don’t know anyone who is immune from relational conflict. Broken relationships affect all of us. James gives us the anatomy of quarrels and fights – our passions that are at war within us. These are selfish pleasures, desires that …
Last night (Ash Wednesday/Valentine’s Day…whichever way you want to identify it), several hundred Gracers across all generations gathered together to observe the beginning of Lent.
As we concluded our January focus on consuming God’s Word, I wanted to highlight the importance of living the Word. James 1:22-25 emphasizes this: 22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a …
