adversity

The Battle Before the Blessing

“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” – James 1:12 Jesus was born in Bethlehem, which is 90 miles away from where Joseph and Mary lived in Nazareth. While it would only take an hour and a half by car today, back then, it was at least a weeklong trip over rugged terrain. On top of that, it was wintertime, so it was very cold and rainy. Though we know that the Lord had to be born in the City of David so that prophecy could be fulfilled, it’s interesting how much this young couple had to endure before the arrival of the world’s Great Redeemer. Just like Mary and Joseph had to travel a rough road to arrive at the place where the Savior would

December 11, 2022 1 Comment

Winter from Two Perspectives

“As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, will never cease.” – Genesis 8:22 After the holidays, many of us are disappointed. We pack up the Christmas decorations, our hearts heavy with the knowledge that the festivities and celebrations are done. January, on the other hand, is brimming with potential and the promise of new beginnings. This is why I think winter is only a matter of perspective. I relocated to Oklahoma from California when I was a teenager, as I’ve already mentioned. It was a difficult adjustment for me, especially since it was my first time dealing with the brutal and piercing cold of winter. Then there was a snow day, and I got to skip school. I had never experienced a snow day before, and I recall thinking to myself at the time, “well, maybe this isn’t so

January 15, 2022 4 Comments

New Year, New Lessons

“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.“ – 2 Peter 1:3 Happy New Year! This particular time, with all the optimism, possibilities, and potential we are faced with at the start of another year, excites me every year. As we progress forward in the wonderful things God has called us to, I like to think of it as an opportunity to reset, shake off the old, and establish new goals for ourselves. Each year will undoubtedly bring new problems and tribulations, but I encourage you to approach each day with optimism and anticipation, and to commit to be a person of action rather than fear. Now, because today is a vacation and many of you are likely to be doing something relaxing, such as watching sports or watching a movie,

January 1, 2022 1 Comment

He is On Your Side

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” – Romans 8:28 Hannah and I were sitting in LAX waiting to fly to Israel when I was in seminary. I started talking to a few of Orthodox Jewish Rabbis who were also waiting for the flight. They asked about my occupation, to which I replied that I am a pastor, after which they inquired, “Are you evangelical?” They told me that they admire evangelicals because they support Israel. I explained to them that I am an evangelical, but that I am a Calvinist, or a member of the “frozen chosen,” a rare breed. One of the men asked what that meant, so I explained that we’re really obsessed with God’s sovereignty and His careful planning of everything. I then turned the tables and asked

December 19, 2021 1 Comment

Vulnerability with Him

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” – Galatians 6:2 As we seek to become resilient and less fragile in our walk with God, we should keep in mind that vulnerability and humility is a difficult task. Stop pretending to be perfect; it’s not going to help anyone. You don’t have to be vulnerable in front of everyone, but you should have a few individuals in your life who are familiar with both your good and bad sides. Be open and honest about the issues you’re dealing with, and you’ll grow stronger as a result. Try to be strong and tough if you want to be vulnerable and weak, and if you want to be powerful, be transparent, modest, and broken. Don’t feel ashamed of your vulnerabilities because the light of Jesus shines brightest and most brightly through the flaws. Devote yourself

December 8, 2021 No Comments

The Anti-Fragility of Jesus

“So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” – Galatians 3:26,27 After discussing how love is anti-fragile, I want to continue our conversation focusing on God’s anti-fragility, more specifically Jesus and the early church. Jesus Christ exemplifies what it means to be resilient. More people followed Him when others cursed Him and lied about Him. More people talked about Him when they said He was sent by demons. They grew jealous as He grew in popularity, and eventually crucified Him; but little did they realize, that was the worst thing they could have done! Why? Because new life spilled into the universe as a result of His death and resurrection! Everything shifted at that point, and time was snapped in half like a twig. Because the veil was broken in half, history

December 6, 2021 No Comments

Suffering is a Force for Change

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard-pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.” – 2 Corinthians 4:7-12 The Apostle Paul was writing to the church when he wrote the passages above. Do you know what he’s talking about when he says “all-surpassing power”? In the first century church, they were healing the

December 3, 2021 No Comments

Passing the Storm

“He replied, ‘You of little faith, why are you so afraid?’ Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. The men were amazed and asked, ‘What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!’” – Matthew 8:26-27 We discussed how having Jesus in your life’s boat allows you to take a snooze in the middle of a storm the other day. Today, we’re going to pick up the story of the disciples right at the moment they go to their Master to wake Him up. While they’re panicking and crying because they think they’re going to die, Jesus wakes up from His slumber and addresses them as “little faiths.” This, I believe, is His prompting name for them because they’re acting like scared children who haven’t yet grasped the magnitude of who He is. He rebukes the

November 25, 2021 No Comments

Snoozing in the Storm

“Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, ‘Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!’” – Matthew 8:23-25 As a disciple of Jesus, it’s critical to consider how He lived his life and dealt with challenges and interpersonal interactions. I believe it is safe to assume that He was relaxed based on His personality and actions. Although His journey took Him to a variety of locations and He met a variety of people, some of whom were opposed to His ministry, He was at peace. He wasn’t frightened, stressed, or worried about what was going wrong. This is notably evident in Matthew 8 when He is said to have slept during a storm. The disciples are in Gennesaret, on

November 24, 2021 No Comments

Safe and Strong

“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” – Isaiah 40:31 It is our responsibility as leaders in whatever capacity to keep people safe while also assisting them in becoming stronger. This is particularly true when it comes to parenting and grandparenting. There is a built-in tension in today’s environment between protection and the suffering that leads to growth. It’s easy to keep our children from trying the things they need to in order to develop character strength in the name of protecting them. For example, perhaps your child wishes to participate in a sport or activity that involves some physical danger. As the person in charge of their physical safety as well as their general development, it’s critical that you assess the pros and cons

October 30, 2021 1 Comment

The Battle Before the Blessing

Winter from Two Perspectives

New Year, New Lessons

He is On Your Side

Vulnerability with Him

The Anti-Fragility of Jesus

Suffering is a Force for Change

Passing the Storm

Snoozing in the Storm

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