August 17th, 2010 by Matt Slack
What comes to mind when you hear the word "AMBITION"? This may not describe you, but in many Christian circles the word ambition conjures up negative feelings. More often than not, it's used to describe things that we desire but shouldn't be pursuing and is frequently preceded by the word selfish. Granted, James rightly instructs us as to the destructive nature of selfish ambition within the church...
May 6th, 2010 by Matt Slack
This past Sunday we looked at Genesis 12:10-20; the story of Abram and Sarai going down to Egypt. After leaving his home country in faith, believing in the promises of God and the God of the promises, Abram encounters famine and fear. Trials lead to self-reliance which give way to failure as faith turns to faithlessness. But God reveals Himself as faithful, rescuing Abram and Sarai and preserving His promise of blessing for all people.
March 26th, 2010 by Matt Slack
As the women begin their book study this week, reading and discussing "Calm My Anxious Heart" by Linda Dillow, I thought it would be profitable for us all to consider the (sometimes hidden) sins of anxiety and discontentment in our own lives. In his book, "Respectable Sins", in his chapter on Anxiety and Frustration, Jerry Bridges quotes John Newton on the subject. Take the time to process and understand this quote...it's well worth it.
January 11th, 2010 by Matt Slack
As Christians, we desire to grow in our relationship and intimacy with God. Most of us know the benefits and joys of prayer, meditation and worship alone in the presence of God. But if we're honest, we also know a certain struggle. It differs from person to person but hinders us none the less. One of the most common responses to this struggle is disappointment, condemnation and hopelessness.
December 28th, 2009 by Allen Snapp
I got Steven Curtis Chapman's new album Beauty Will Rise for Christmas and I have been listening to it a lot since. It is a psalm-like album journaling the pain and faith that the Chapman's have walked through since their adopted daughter Maria was killed in an accident. It is a beautiful and honest album and it has challenged me to the heart in many ways.
December 10th, 2009 by Matt Slack
Sunday, Allen told us that just as God remembered Noah (Gen. 8:1) He also remembers us. He remembered us at the cross, He will remember us in the future and God remembers us now. But is this the paradigm in which we view our lives? Do we believe that God has always known us, has always been with us, and has always “remembered” us? And if not, how does that affect the way we think about Gods commitment to us in the future?
December 7th, 2009 by Allen Snapp
Here is the article i promised on the possible cataclysmic effects of the flood...
November 25th, 2009 by Allen Snapp
Recently I've been reading from one of my favorite morning devotionals, Morning and Evening by Charles Spurgeon and the devotional from November 24 was challenging to me and I thought I'd pass it on. It follows up well with Matt's last post too.
November 14th, 2009 by Matt Slack
Inertia is inactivity; the idea that without outside intervention an object will remain motionless or on the same path. The sluggard is a scriptural example of spiritual inertia. Proverbs 21:25 says, "The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor." He desires change but doesn't act. Tomorrow is his Savior but everyday he wakes up to today. Proverbs 26:16 says, "The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can answer sensibly." In the midst of the slow death of inactivity, he's deceived. He rationalizes his inaction in order to maintain his "tomorrow" action plan.
November 9th, 2009 by Allen Snapp
I love this quote from Spurgeon on the difference between what Abel's blood cried out to God and what Christ's blood cries out to God!