:: The Work Is Never Done ::

Pet names and getting punched in the gut…

Brian — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 01:11:20 +0000

It’s been almost 7 years since my dad died and occasionally I still find myself caught up in a wave of emotion. There are times when I can predict it – anniversaries, birthdays, events and other big days… And there are times when I can’t. Today I didn’t see it coming. You have to know [...]

Manliness…

Brian — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 11:00:53 +0000

We live in a culture that celebrates femininity and criticizes manliness. If you need proof, look no further than the drastic increase in popularity of cats over dogs.* Cats, for the sake of argument, are the model of femininity. Soft. Dignified. They purr when you cuddle them. They keep their bathrooms neat. They plot against [...]

An Open Letter to our Small Groups…

Brian — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 20:50:59 +0000

I just wanted to share a little bit from my heart (really our hearts) as it relates to the future of our small groups. As many of your know, Matt has been challenging our church to go deeper and for each of our members and attenders to take on more ownership as we move forward. [...]

When false gods die…

Brian — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 02:34:07 +0000

I keep having this recurring daydream where the entire United States economy collapses onto itself and I can no longer afford to buy diapers. Call it a daymare perhaps. I know it’s based in fear. It’s certainly not based in trust and commitment to God’s goodness and love. It’s a fear that my security will [...]

Authenticity

Brian — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 19:03:51 +0000

Despite all the affected teenage rebellion, I continued to call myself a Christian into my early twenties. When I finally stopped, it wasn’t because being a believer made me uncool or outdated or freakish. It was because being a Christian no longer meant anything. It was a label to slap on my Facebook page, next [...]

Feelings vs. Truths

Brian — Tue, 03 May 2011 20:15:17 +0000

from Megan Pulver. Oprah’s spiritual views are often said to make people feel good about themselves, so naturally, they’re appealing. She claims that we find our spiritual power by getting in touch with our inner selves. But what does Jesus say? Is it our inner self that provides us with the wisdom and power to live [...]

Darkest before Dawn

Brian — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 18:39:14 +0000

I don’t normally celebrate lent or follow the religious calendar very closely. I don’t abstain from anything particular for this season. And I didn’t this year. But as I prepare some of our teaching materials for Palm Sunday and the week leading up to the cross I can’t help but have a heavy heart. There [...]

“What if…Pt. 5″

Brian — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 02:10:14 +0000

This whole series has been about envisioning how our lives would change if we took the Bible to heart and lived it out. We’ve talked about many different topics, including the Church and the Holy Spirit. This week we’re talking about relationships. We’re all a part of God’s plan for the world – and we [...]

The Purpose of Small Group…

Brian — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 20:58:57 +0000

I’m often asked about the purpose of small group – and honestly that’s a tough question to answer. That’s sort of like asking “What’s the purpose of a screwdriver?” You can say “to turn screws”, but that’s not a very helpful answer if you don’t know what a screw is. Usually my answer starts good [...]

Dropping like flies…

Brian — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 21:51:45 +0000

I do a little counseling every now and then (when the really sensitive, caring staff members are busy) and occasionally a couple in serious trouble comes my way. I’ve noticed something about all of them. Not one of them expected to be on that couch when they got married. None of them got married and [...]