Pay Attention: Introducing the Book of Proverbs

Everywhere we turn there is someone telling us how to think, where to shop, what to buy, and who we should spend our time on. They all want our attention because they know something that we tend to forget: our attention is valuable.

Where we place our attention matters, and nowhere is this more clear than in the book of Proverbs. In fact, King Solomon’s advice for his son is so applicable to our lives today, it’s impossible not to see our own need to focus our attention on God’s wisdom.

That’s what we are talking about today as we dive into the beginning of the book of Proverbs. We are so glad you are walking this path with us!

ALSO:

—90’s parenting proverbs

—Freeing up mental space when you realize no one else cares

—What do you let into your heart?

—Who are you going to trust?

—Walking the moral path without slipping into legalism

References:

—Proverbs 1-4

—Matthew 6:19-24

—“Beautiful Design” by Matt Chandler

—@theminimalists

—minimalmaxims.com

—The Bible Project

—Matthew 18:12-14

Jesus is Coming Back Soon!

When you hear the words, “Jesus is coming back soon,” or “The King is coming,” what does that do to your heart? How do you feel? Anxious? Excited? Nervous? Relieved? Or is it a combination of emotions?

Or here’s an important question for you: does it make you feel anything at all?

That’s what we are talking about today as we spend some time unpacking a Blurry Creatures podcast episode where they interviewed John Bevere, the author of “The King is Coming; It’s Time to Prepare for the Return of Christ.”

We will discuss what it means to anticipate Jesus’ return and the role the Holy Spirit plays as we wait. We will also talk about nuance and helpful things to keep in mind so we don’t become distracted or sidetracked or discouraged.

Ultimately this topic regards what we all are waiting for: being with Jesus forever. And it’s a good thing to spend time thinking about it. Thanks so much for joining us today as we contemplate the second coming of Jesus!

ALSO:

–When is an ultimatum necessary?

–Maybe just keep your phone charged

–The Holy Spirit meets us in the mundane

–The blessing of distance in relationships

—Why do I believe I am right?

References:

• Blurry Creatures Ep 410 The Return of the King with John Bevere
• Martin Luther: “A Simple Way to Pray” https://ms.fortresspress.com/downloads/R2R_ASimpleWaytoPray.pdf?fbclid=IwAR3qdGttgX-Y7gCOvqEEXAZqhbhoUuHrShLgb7JjRDbi4zheWPq4BLkP71I
• Revelation 2:1-7
• Matthew 25
• Matthew 24:36
• Matthew 10:26-31
• John 14-16; John 15:25-27
• Josiah Queen and Forrest Frank: “Jesus is Coming Back Soon”
• The Minimalists: Episode 532 “Love Life”
• Ben Stuart: “Single, Dating, Engaged, Married”
• Skit Guys: “True Love Waits”

Send Me: Loving the World Outside Your Door

Hi, friends! Today we are taking our conversation one ring wider–talking about the relationships believers have with the world outside their families and churches. We talk about how relationships inside the home impact interactions in the world, and how the church in general is called to look outward and notice where it can serve those who do not yet know the love of Jesus.

So where has God put you? What relationships has God given you? You have a vocation, a unique role and responsibility that loves and serves your neighbor because God wants to love and serve your neighbor through you. Sometimes that looks like mercy, cooking, a coffee date, a ride to the store, or even just a moment to sit and listen. Other times that means confronting a sin or walking through a heartbreaking trial.

In all circumstances, God has called us to join Him as He ministers to people through us. When it is easy, He is there. When it is hard, He is there. It can be overwhelming, but we who are in Christ never have to fear being left to our own devices. His invitation to participate in the world is an invitation to experience just a taste of the immense love He has for all mankind. It is His gift to us.

ALSO:

–When and ways to pray

–Monica doesn’t let Bonhoeffer boss her around

–Treating people without flippancy

–What vocation really means

–The benefits of friction

–Keeping politics in its proper place

–Notice, Ask, Act

References:

–John 9:1-12

–Ephesians 6:10-13

–2 Corinthians 5:16-21

–“Life Together” by Dietrich Bonhoeffer

–“A Simple Way to Pray” by Martin Luther

–Blurry Creatures podcast

–Live Free Podcast

–“Tactics” by Greg Koukl

–Mere Christians podcast

–”The Weight of Glory” by C.S. Lewis

#HolySpirit #evangelism #vocation #prayer #Jesus #GodtheFather

An Exercise in Being the Church

(*Sorry everyone for the new puppy (Rosie) interruptions and chewing noises I couldn't edit out.*)

When you hear the word “church” what comes to mind? A building? A room? A person? A job? An activity? A childhood memory? A feeling?

When the Bible mentions church, it uses the image of a bride made holy, and wholly enjoyed by the bridegroom. Or a body where each member is cared for, loved, and free to serve its fellow members.

It is a community where sorrows, frustrations and joys are shared. Where needs are met and forgiveness is extended. It is not solely committed to the comforts of its parishioners, but it is a training ground for our daily walks with God in a world that can wear us down.

It’s a hospital, a war room, a kitchen table and so much more.

Church is a blessing to the world and itself, and it even blesses God. We stand as ambassadors of Christ, pushing back darkness and carrying God’s light into dark places.

So what does that look like in your corner of the world? And why do so many local churches settle for less? So glad you asked. We will be talking about that today!

ALSO:

—Decent reads for road trips

—Praying in your favorite place (even if it’s only in your mind)

—Personal Trainers v. Physical Therapists

—What to look for in a church

—How football games look a lot like churches

—When the answer to your prayer is “Soon”

References:

—Ephesians 4 and 5

—“The Correspondent” by Virginia Evans

—“The Inheritance Games” by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

—“My Husband’s Wife” by Alice Feeney

—The Ramsey Show

—John Mark Comer Teachings podcast

—Blurry Creatures podcast

—“The Vision of Ephesians” by N.T. Wright

—Lesson 28: Growing into a Mature Church (Ephesians 4:11-13) | Bible.org

No Place Like Home: Crafting and Cultivating a Space Centered on Jesus

What makes a house a home? What makes a home “Christian”? What are its markers? Is it the Bible verses on the walls? The mom in the kitchen? The dad in the garage? The kids playing outside? Is it their choice of education? Or policy on screen time? Or household budget, diet, or weekly schedule? Or is it more?

The world wants us to label ourselves and others, to define our Christian home by some arbitrary, man-made criteria instead of the posture of the hearts within its walls. But we don’t want a world-driven home. We want a Christ-centered home.

So what is a Christian home? Well that’s what we are discussing today.

ALSO:

—Being a woman in the 1500’s

—When to submit and when to step in

—Homes that look like heaven

—How does Jesus want me to treat this person?

—Three specific ways to nurture and protect your family

References:

—“I Like Me” documentary about John Candy

—“Last One Laughing” TV show

—Ephesians 5:22-31

—Matthew 19:10-12

—“Crowded Table” by The Highwomen

—“Home Alone”

—“I Don’t Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist” podcast by @drfrankturek

—Kirk Cameron podcast @kirkcameronshow on “Dangerous Questions”

It All Starts Here

Hi, friends! We are in our second week of looking at relationships in the Bible as well as our everyday lives, mining for truths in order to make some sense of how this is all supposed to work.

Last week we found the starting line—the Garden of Eden. And when the starting gun went off, there was a trip and a fall, and the whole world toppled into sin.

But God gave us a new starting line. While we were sick with sin, enemies hostile to God, He made a way for us to be right with Him again. He gave us Jesus. And now we stand in a waterfall of grace.

That’s our new starting line. In every relationship we are standing in grace, drenched in grace, and breathing grace in and out. So today we are going to sit in that truth a bit and let it wash over us, and we are so glad you decided to join us!

ALSO:

—Why we rejoice in suffering

—All the little gardens where heaven and earth collide

—Jesus alone makes us good with God

—Honoring God’s boundaries

—Lauren and Monica reveal their points of pride

—Going to the Word because lies sneak in

References:

—Romans 5-6:2

—Ephesians 4:26-27; 5:22

—“Life Together” by Dietrich Bonhoeffer

—“Beloved” by Francis Chan

—“Come Home” by Caroline Saunders

—Blurry Creatures podcast episode 389: Where Heaven Meets Earth with N. T. Wright

—“The Vision of Ephesians” by N. T. Wright

Not Your Average Separation Anxiety

Why do relationships take so much work? We are tempted to believe that relationship work is a result of sin, but what if God always intended for us to work on relationships just like He always intended for us to work in the Garden?

What if the real question isn’t “why do relationships take work,” but “Why is relationship work so hard and painful?” Why can’t I manage to treat people the way I want to be treated, and vice versa? Why is loving God with my whole heart and loving my neighbor as myself a complete impossibility on my own, no matter how much I want it?

Well, the quick answer is “sin,” but we are diving deeper into what that means in our discussion today. We are walking through Genesis 1-3 and marveling at the miracle of life. Then we will witness the moment when all confidence in God disintegrated with a single bite.

We were made for relationship—with God, with each other, and with the world around us. But for now, let’s stick with the relationship that literally started it all. Thanks for joining us.

ALSO:

• Reading Martin Luther
• Talking about being naked
• Going to bed angry
• Sanctification in community
• Hard people remind us we are hard people
• Blaming God and running away

References:

• Martin Luther’s commentary on Genesis Volume 1
• Genesis 1-3
• Project Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org
• Ted Dekker Circle Series
• Malcolm in the Middle

He’s Here!!!

Our everyday choices may seem simple and logical. “Of course I would say that.” “Of course I would go there.” “Of course I would help them.”

But the truth is, most of these choices are highly dependent on what we believe in our hearts: what we believe about God, what we believe about ourselves, and what we believe about how God feels about us.

So when we meet the Samaritan woman in John, chapter 4 and she is going to the well in the middle of the day and acting defensively toward Jesus, we know there is more going on below the surface.

And Jesus goes there. He jumps into the deep end, confronting the lies and pain that have led to choices that have separated her from others. He calls out the shame that has been her companion, and He offers Himself instead. He reveals that He is the Messiah that everyone has been waiting for—that she has been waiting for.

Jesus still does this. He dives in and meets us in our shame. He finds us in the places where we search for sustenance. He shifts our perspective and reveals the truth about how God feels about us. For God so loved YOU that He gave His one and only Son.

As we approach Christmas and the New Year and the aftermath of it all, let us drink deeply from the living water Jesus offers and remember that the True Light in our corner is here.

ALSO:

-Jesus is the point

-Don’t be married to the results

-Freedom in confession

-Steak for Christmas

-The purpose of stars

-Being a well for the living water

References:

John 4

Ephesians 4

Genesis 1:14-15

“Garden in Manhattan” by Josiah Queen

Downton Abbey

“Life Together” by Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Prattville’s Artesian Well: https://fromthealdergrove.com/2023/07/16/artesian-well-potd/

#lightinyourcorner #livingwater #Jesus #HolySpirit #freedom #Gospel