A famous scene from the Bible within the Passion account of Jesus finds Him standing before the Roman governor, where Pilate said to Jesus, “What is truth?” (John 18.38) This is a question posed by philosophers, scholars, & theologians the world over throughout the millennia. It is fundamental to every society, every worldview, and every person to ever have existed.

Often, we tend to allow those in authority to determine what truth really is. But what happens when these individuals who bear our trust act poorly? What do we do when those who seem to know much espouse error and call us to do the same? And how can we know that it's even happening? The answer truly does lie in how we respond to the first question: “What is truth?”

#OneHitWonder #ThirdJohn #Pride #Truth

"What's Love got to do with it?" This is the title of a song by Tina Turner. And it's a question that we're all forced to consider many times over in our lives. What is love, and why does it matter? What difference does it make? Isn't it just up to whoever is "feeling it" in a given moment? The reality is that, while we may all feel, express, receive, and perceive love in various ways, love itself is an objective reality, and it's one that's incompatible with certain behaviors while requiring others. It's our duty to discern the difference.  

#OneHitWonder #SecondJohn #Love #Truth

“Unforgiveness is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die.” This quote (in one form or another) has been attributed to Saint Augustine, Nelson Mandela, Carrie Fisher, and more. Regardless of who said it first, it is beyond axiomatic - it rings true throughout the human experience. Then why-oh-why is it so hard for us to forgive? 

The Bible is replete with calls to forgive others. But how do we do this when we have, in fact, been wronged, hurt, or taken advantage of by those needing forgiveness. Even in the shortest book the Apostle Paul wrote, we find a call to forgiveness - not because it is earned, but out of gratitude for our divine pardon. If we have been so forgiven, we must likewise forgive. 

#OneHitWonder #Philemon #Context #Forgiveness

Does God care when everything goes wrong? When the bottom falls out from under us or when injustice or tragedy strikes? Maybe it seems like He shouldn't care because it's partly (or fully) our fault. Maybe it's just our lot to suffer because it's what we deserve?

Centuries before Jesus walked this earth, God's people (the Jewish nation) were facing tragedy, suffering on a massive scale, and surely felt these very same things. But a rather unknown prophet had a message for them that let them know they were not alone, that they were not unseen, and that God very much DID care … and that He was going to set right the tragic wrongs they had been enduring.

#OneHitWonder #Obadiah #PrinciplizingBridge #Pride

Growing up, many of us played kickball on the playground. Whether organized or informal, it was always a popular activity … and it could be savage, not because of the athletic competition, but because of the social realities it exposed. Who got picked first? How about last? Who were left out entirely? Who excluded themselves from this big group event because they didn't like the sport or felt they were no good at it?

Quickly enough, a pecking order was established, with either beneficial or detrimental results. As adults, these social constructs get more complicated & nuanced, but most of us are still victims of it, to one degree or another.

But the way of Jesus is different - or it should be. For those who have chosen to follow Jesus, we are each all an indispensable part of a glorious new whole, none greater than another but all wildly unique & cherished. And this means we're called to a vibrant community that gives life and invites full participation from all.

#SecondToNone #Jesus #OurFaithInJesus #Identity #Colossians

“Who are you?” It’s one of the questions that we all get asked many times over in life. In one form or another, we’re asked to identify ourselves. Whether we answer it simply, like with our names, or by fleshing it out a bit with a few more details about what we do and where we come from, we’re trying to let someone else know about us and how they can relate to us.

But what if our identity was both much deeper and far more important than we typically think? And what if our identity is truly personal, yes, but also inextricably bound into our community and the purpose God has offered to us?

#SecondToNone #Jesus #OurFellowshipInJesus #Identity #Colossians

Growing up, many of us heard, “Sticks and stones can hurt your bones, but words can never hurt you.” Well-meaning adults would recite this adage to the young in an effort to comfort and encourage. But regardless of their intent, they were very wrong.

Sure, a mean word hurled at someone doesn't pierce flesh like a bullet, but it can inflict a different, even deeper wound. Proverbs 12.18a tells us: “Rash words are like sword thrusts.” No, that harsh word won't draw blood, but it can break the spirit. But the converse is true, as well: “But the tongue of the wise brings healing.” (Proverbs 12.18b) We can use our words to bring light into dark places and healing to hidden pains. God wants us to use our words (and our actions) to bring about good in this world.

#SecondToNone #Jesus #OurFruitInJesus #Prayer #Colossians

There’s no doubt that we live in a highly politicized world these days, especially in our western societal structure. And in America, that politicization ramps up in particular fashion every four years or so. Since this is our reality, this fall we’ll be taking a number of weeks to talk about stuff that the church often fails to address, or at least address directly or thoughtfully.

But where we find ourselves in this week’s message is a passage that tips over into at least some of those “spicy” areas. While the verses we’ll cover definitely tap into some of these topics, we’re going to talk a little bit more about the broader message of the verses we’re tackling - namely, power and responsibility.

#SecondToNone #Jesus #FamilyInJesus # Power # Responsibility #Colossians

The notion that “You’re not the boss of me!” may very well be the anthem of modern Western society. We really, really don’t like people telling us what to do, how to think, or really much of anything that we don’t already believe. But the reality is that we are actually all already under the thumb of whatever we worship - even if that’s ourselves. The freedom and peace that God offers us through Jesus must produce a willing, thankful response of allowing Him to “take the steering wheel” of our lives, trusting that He has what’s best at heart. In other words, if we’re willing to trust Jesus with our eternities, we need to be willing to trust Him with our todays.

#SecondToNone #Jesus #WhatJesusKills #Colossians

It’s easy for us to look at others and see patterns and choices they make that are detrimental to their well-being. We can see how their decisions are bringing ruin to themselves and those around them. We wonder, “Why are they so committed to living in pain and squalor, especially when there is help, hope, and healing right at their fingertips? Why are they unwilling to let go of what is killing them?” 

The hard truth is that many of us - perhaps most or even all of us - are equally committed to holding on to things and ways of living that are detrimental to ourselves and our world. It’s hard to see that we cling to the bad and convince ourselves that it’s good … or that we’re justified to hold on, even if others aren’t. But Jesus wants more for us - He wants freedom and life, not prison and death. 

#SecondToNone #Jesus #WhatJesusKills #Colossians

What's most important to us isn't always what we say is most important. What's really most important is what our lives demonstrate allegiance and deference towards - that is, what we actually do with our lives shows what's most important.

But how do we come to that place of what our actions show is of most value? God's Word and human experience point to what happens in our minds is the birthplace of our values and what we do in light of them. What we "set our minds on" becomes what we - in all effect - worship.

#SecondToNone #Jesus #RaisedInJesus #WhoDoYouFollow #Colossians

Every parent has undoubtedly been faced with their children challenging authority in their lives. Whether from their parents or school teachers or coaches or really anyone “in charge” in any sphere of their lives, kids force the question, “Who are you to tell me what to do?” And while it can be infuriating to hear this question on repeat, it is actually an essential question to human flourishing, and it’s one that we all honestly ask throughout our lives: who gets to tell me what to do, and how much do I really need to obey them?

The reality is that, while we honestly buck against authority as a natural human reaction, we also clearly act as if someone (or something) is in charge of our lives and dictating our actions, even if we think that authority is ourselves. (Spoiler - we’re not really in charge as much as we think we are!) All of us live under a series of rules and dictates, regardless of how formalized we are about them, and who (or what) we give authority to truly determines the course of our lives. If we want to live “our best lives” now, we need to discover what has authority over us and make sure that that authority aligns with truth.

#SecondToNone #Jesus #QualifiedInJesus #TrulyAlive #Colossians

One of the core tenets of Christianity is the notion of eternal life. It's the idea that God offers us a life with Him and without end. So often, our culture (both secular and religious) has pictured this as some sort of down-the-road, floating on the clouds existence. In fact, if we're honest, it's been pictured in a way that could be called ... well, boring, if we're really honest.

And while this is a very different picture of "heaven" than what the Bible portrays, what's worse is that it pictures this eternal life as something that will happen some day down the road. The Bible, however, indicates that this life that we're promised isn't something that we will only enjoy at some far off point, but rather it's something that we can and should enjoy and manifest right now.

#SecondToNone #Jesus #AliveInChrist #BeingTrulyAlive #Colossians

If Jesus really is who He claims to be, if He actually does what He promises to do, if He truly loves us the way the Bible describes, how should I respond? How should we all act in light of these truths? Too often, it seems, we attempt to “fit Jesus in” where we've got extra space. We seem to make margin for all the other important (and even not-so-important) things in our lives before considering where we might have room for Him.

But what if we reversed this? What if we prioritized Jesus in all His preeminence above and before everything else? What if we were so devoted to the One who so devoted Himself to us that all other priorities and decisions were positioned to honor Him as supreme? And all this done not to somehow earn His favor but rather done out of complete gratitude for His love towards us and in recognition of His divine Kingship? If we were to treat Jesus like King He is, what kind of lives would we live?

#SecondToNone #Jesus #WalkingWorthy #Colossians

What do we do with the reality of Jesus - His life, His teaching, His example, His resurrection, all of it? Well, the Apostle Paul has a lot more to tell us in lots of places, and we're gonna take April to dig into one of His most “Christocentric” writings: an ancient letter called Colossians, his impassioned plea to a fledgling church in the ancient world.

In this book, Paul drops serious truths on relatively new believers in Colossae, setting them straight on who Jesus really is - not just a great teacher or a good man, but the actual divine Son of God who created the entire universe! Paul goes hard against some false teachers who were mixing in weird philosophical ideas and rules about diet and rituals. His big idea is that Jesus is supreme over everything, so we shouldn't get distracted by human traditions and rules when you've got the real truth right in front of you. If we want to grow spiritually, the Apostle claims, we've got to stay rooted in Christ and let Him transform our lives from the inside out - instead of just trying to follow a bunch of dos and don'ts. At the end of the day, living for Christ means putting on qualities like compassion, kindness, and forgiveness - that is, we've got to become more like Jesus each day of our lives.

#SecondToNone #Jesus #Preeminence #Colossians

When we were kids, almost all of us fought against our parents (to one degree or another) when it came to nap time. Regardless of how obviously tired we were, we raged against the one thing that we needed to fully enjoy the waking world around us - rest. As adults, we now long for a quick nap most days, yet we're “too busy” to take one … even though, again, it's what we need.

Our modern world has become frenetic and chaotic, constantly on the move. But we were never designed for this. We were designed from the beginning to rest - not just physically, but the whole totality of our beings. And God offers that way of rest to all of us, regardless of how busy or overwhelming our lives may seem. There is rest for you, rest for your very souls, if you're willing to enter into it.

#RunningOnEmpty #Rest #RunningOnHope #Easter

Boundaries are important. Everyone tells us this, and we tell each other the same. They help us to protect ourselves and our relationships. They can also help us to live in ways that are pleasing to God while still fully engaging in who who we are as individuals. In the Bible, Jesus tells us (Matthew 5.37) that our 'Yes' should be 'Yes' and our 'No' should be 'No' … in fact, He goes on to tell us, anything beyond this comes from the devil. Jesus calls us to be honest and direct with others about our expectations and boundaries.

Even so, boundaries can be difficult to set, but they are worth it. When we have healthy boundaries, we are better able to engage in a Jesus-following life that is pleasing to Him, beneficial to others, and fulfilling for ourselves. Figuring out how to do that is the challenge for each of us.

#RunningOnEmpty #Boundaries #EmptyEffort

“I'm sorry, but I can't … I'm just too busy.”

If you're a human living in North America, you almost certainly can remember a time saying this or something very similar. And it's not that North America is the only place you encounter this, but it does seem like it's become something of cultural value here. We seem to idolize and perpetuate “busy” as a lofty goal and evidence of moral or character virtue.

But what if that isn't right? And what if the solution isn't simply taking a machete to our schedules? What if the margin we know is good has less to do with how much we're doing and way more to do with what, how, and why we're doing the things we do? What if rest isn't the same as inactivity?

#RunningOnEmpty #Margin #EmptyMargins