One of the most prolific words in the English language is love. It is at the same time both theologically deep & rich and quite culturally confused. Understanding it can radically change how we view ourselves, others, and the world we live in. Misunderstanding it can bring a host of issues into our lives and into the lives of those around us. At Christmas, we’re told that love - true love - burst into our world as a humble baby. If we orient our lives around what that means, nothing will be the same.

#SacredWords #Love #Christmas

In the US Declaration of Independence, we read the belief that all people have the right to “the pursuit of happiness” among other things. While not a legally binding decree, it lays the basis for why the United States were created and what is dear to her people. However, it is this very pursuit of happiness that has led many in a futile quest to always BE happy, leaving them crushed when it doesn’t happen how they anticipate it. In God’s economy, there seems to be a different (though related!) pursuit that can lead to a much better human experience - joy. And understanding what joy is and what nurtures it can make all the difference to each of us.

#SacredWords #Joy #Christmas

Faith is a word many of us use in a variety of situations. But there is a special kind of faith that the Bible talks about, a faith that changes eternities and brings light into dark places. And Christmas is the catalyst for that faith in ways that defy desciption.

#SacredWords #Faith #Christmas

What does it mean to hope? What is it based on? Can we trust it? It all depends on who (or what!) we’re depending on to bring it about, and the Bible is clear that we can all have hope for today and tomorrow with complete confidence if we know the One who can be counted on - JESUS.

#SacredWords #Hope #Christmas

Even if I’ve responded to God’s grace with gratitude, and even a gratitude that leads me to be overflowing with generosity, there’s still a hurdle left. If I’m truly grateful, I will share the story that God has given me with celebration.

#gratitude #GratitudeCelebratesTheStory #THANKFULisMOREthanSAYINGthanks

Generosity is something that flows out of a deep well - a vast reservoir that can be tapped again and again. Unfortunately, we often believe that well is filled with stuff. Rather, the most generous people have learned that it is a well of gratitude for all that we have (however much that is!) instead of being filled with resources.

#gratitude #GratitudeThatLeadsToGenerosity #THANKFULisMOREthanSAYINGthanks

Gratitude is one of the simplest, most basic things that we try to instill into our children’s lives … and yet it is often the most elusive. While it is a simple enough idea (showing thanks for what’s been done for / given to us), it remains one of the most deficient in our responses to life. And what can it mean to have a gratitude that transcends the difficulties that we all face? That is a game-changer.

#gratitude #RespondingToGrace #THANKFULisMOREthanSAYINGthanks

For two months, we’ve looked at the words Jesus had for seven real-world churches in the first century, words of affirmation, of challenge, and of call-to-action. But those words were more than simply a story to remember of days-gone-by. And Jesus has words for us. Today. Here-and-now. Are we ready to listen?

#Seven #MoreThanAStory #Ephrata #RememberMe

Some might argue that the worst way to drink coffee is lukewarm … not hot, not cold, just a tepid average of the two. Some might also say that the worst place we can be in our faith is in between hot and cold, neither invested nor indifferent. What do you think God would have to say to a group of people claiming to be His people and yet living this lukewarm way?

#Seven #TheApatheticChurch #Laodecia #Lukewarm

We all get bad news - that’s just life. And sometimes, we get bad news about ourselves, or at least what someone thinks is bad about us. But what about those times when someone tells you that you’re doing great and that they’ve got your back? What would it be like if God said that to you?

#Seven #TheEnduringChurch #Philadelphia #BrotherlyLove

Whenever we start a new relationship (romantic or otherwise), we never commit to it believing that we’ll one day reject it or those commitments. Instead, if they do fail, it’s because we tend to drift away from what truly captured us in those first moments. And the same is true of our faith, if we’re not careful.

#Seven #TheSleepyChurch #Sardis

Do you feel seen? It’s a question that can have huge impact on how we view ourselves and how we engage with our world. Are we seen when we do well? When we mess up? Does anyone care or does it even make a difference? Because justice is real, the answer is yes. And it can powerfully remake how we live.

#Seven #MarriedToCompromise #Thyatira

Though we all face troubles in this life, few of us in America face the kind of brutal persecution that early Jesus-followers did. They faced torture, imprisonment, and death. And yet so very many refused to deny Jesus. But even then, even for them, it was an easy sidestep into believing things that didn’t align with the Jesus who saved them and loved them. How much easier is it for us today, when we face comfort rather than calamity?

#Seven #Heresy #Pergamum

One of the biggest questions that humanity wrestles with is the notion of why there is suffering. And right along with it is the question of what to do when we suffer. But the reality underneath it is that we ALL do suffer. Engaging that reality can be weighty, but there is a hope that overshadows the darkest of shadows.

#Seven #Suffering #Smyrna

Most of us can remember a time when we were REALLY in love. And most of us can remember what it feels like to fall OUT of love, too. While this might be common in many relationships, it is never a good thing when we lose that love we first had with a person we’ve committed ourselves to … and that holds true for churches too.

#Seven #FirstLoveLost #Ephesus

There are countless movies, books, television shows, musicals, and about every other art form imaginable that deal with the idea of love, in one way or another. But when it comes down to it, what is love REALLY? Is it an emotion? A series of actions? A set of behaviors or commitments? The Bible talks about love from its beginning to its end. So how we answer the question, "What is love?" is one of the most important things we can discover.

#SummerLove #TheGreatestLove #LoveAlwaysCosts

Because loving our spouses can be difficult, it can be easy to, well … give up. And like we’ve talked about before, there are times when God allows for that because of the broken covenant of marriage. However, too often, we’re tempted to toss in the towel too early. Because here’s the truth: if love is love, then love does endure.*

#SummerLove #LovingAin’tEasy #LoveEndures #LoveDoesntGiveUpEasily

* It is very important to us as a church family to clarify - if you are in an abusive relationship of any kind, we’re not indicating in any way that you should simply ignore it and stay. Your safety and security (physical, emotional, relational, and spiritual) are of primary concern for us. If you are in a situation like this, please reach out to us so that we can support you and get you connected to the help that is available.

If someone were to say, “I hope my marriage will last,” you’d probably think that person was facing some relationship problems. But what if the idea had a different sense of hope in marriage - the sense that our love will paint a glorious future and create anticipation of unending good? That’s the kind of hope that’s worth hoping for!

#SummerLove #LovingAin’tEasy #LoveHopes #LoveCreatesGreatExpectations #LoveMotivatesUsForward