Thoughts from the Shepherds

Thoughts from the Shepherds

Why Would you Teach the Bible?

You may wonder why we teach through books of the Bible at our Sunday services. Most churches have messages focused on some aspect of our daily lives – marriage, parenting, emotional health etc. The goal of such an approach is easy to understand. Exactly how teaching through books of the Bible would be helpful to you may be less clear. To many, the Bible is unfamiliar. It can seem foreign to our busy modern lives. It talks about history and…

Thanksgiving Thoughts

I’m thankful for God and you. We’re now entering our second round of COVID lockdown restricting our gatherings and social engagements. This has been tough on our church. Before the pandemic it felt like we had a lot of momentum coming into the spring but now if feels like we have been set back at least a year. We’ve had to re-figure out how to do church, music, childcare, refreshments, small groups and everything else at least a couple of…

Thoughts from the Shepherds – Community v COVID

Can I encourage you to invest in the Living Hope family?I truly believe that God has a plan for us and that a huge part of that is the church family that we connect with. Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. — Romans 12:15-16 (CSB) It is extremely hard to live the way God has called us to apart from his people. We are designed to live in harmony, to…

Thoughts for Tuesday Mornings

I can often get revved up thinking about doing God’s will. I love long range thinking and the big picture. But, then Monday comes around and getting the practical done starts to slow me down. By Tuesday morning often my zest has settled back into whatever normal was before. Don’t get me wrong, I believe that seeing the big picture and having a vision for your life is very important. But, you gotta go to work. Responsibilities take time. Maintenance…

Thoughts on Doing Your Own Thing

I enjoy drinking Good Earth brand tea and they always have a motivational quote from a famous person – the other day it was “Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your inner voice.” – Steve Jobs I love the idea of Individualism found in these sorts of quotes. It’s very inspiring! Be your own person, don’t let anyone else tell you where to go or what to do, stand up for yourself. Within these popular and sturdy…

How Big is our God?

I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed today. I’ve got a lot I want and need to do but not nearly enough time to do it. This pandemic has been a bit of a shock to the system. As I was taking my concerns to the Lord however I was struck with the thought: Is this trial making me see God as bigger or smaller? When I’m overwhelmed and distracted my God gets smaller and weaker. I think that I’ve got to…

What do we do now?

Yesterday morning I received an email update on my myPanera coffee subscription. A month ago I purchased unlimited coffee for $9 thinking that I have several meetings a week with people in coffee shops and I could save some cash if I consolidated them to Panera. In addition I’d have opportunity to be at the same place regularly and meet random people and workers which would therefore give me a chance to build relationships with those outside my circle. What…

Rejoice? Really?

How ya feeling today? Like skipping, dancing, whooping and laughing? Well, maybe laughing but not in “I’m so happy” sense, more in the life is nuts sense. Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! — Philippians 4:4 (CSB) Rejoice. Have joy… always. That’s tough to do. The Apostle Paul calls us to rejoice. Right in the same passage he says don’t be anxious but pray and you will be guarded by God’s peace. I think that…

Don’t just distract yourself!

Got some extra downtime? Feel like you’re not sure what to do? Last night my wife and I watched The Repair Shop on Netflix. It’s a British show about repairing antiques. They tell the story of three different people and the objects that they have cherished for sometimes generations, how they were broken and then how the craftsmen at the shop repair them bringing them back to their former glory. It’s a relaxing way to spend a half hour at…