An Exercise in Being the Church

(*Sorry everyone for the new puppy (Rosie) interruptions and chewing noises I couldn't edit out.*)

When you hear the word “church” what comes to mind? A building? A room? A person? A job? An activity? A childhood memory? A feeling?

When the Bible mentions church, it uses the image of a bride made holy, and wholly enjoyed by the bridegroom. Or a body where each member is cared for, loved, and free to serve its fellow members.

It is a community where sorrows, frustrations and joys are shared. Where needs are met and forgiveness is extended. It is not solely committed to the comforts of its parishioners, but it is a training ground for our daily walks with God in a world that can wear us down.

It’s a hospital, a war room, a kitchen table and so much more.

Church is a blessing to the world and itself, and it even blesses God. We stand as ambassadors of Christ, pushing back darkness and carrying God’s light into dark places.

So what does that look like in your corner of the world? And why do so many local churches settle for less? So glad you asked. We will be talking about that today!

ALSO:

—Decent reads for road trips

—Praying in your favorite place (even if it’s only in your mind)

—Personal Trainers v. Physical Therapists

—What to look for in a church

—How football games look a lot like churches

—When the answer to your prayer is “Soon”

References:

—Ephesians 4 and 5

—“The Correspondent” by Virginia Evans

—“The Inheritance Games” by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

—“My Husband’s Wife” by Alice Feeney

—The Ramsey Show

—John Mark Comer Teachings podcast

—Blurry Creatures podcast

—“The Vision of Ephesians” by N.T. Wright

—Lesson 28: Growing into a Mature Church (Ephesians 4:11-13) | Bible.org

No Place Like Home: Crafting and Cultivating a Space Centered on Jesus

What makes a house a home? What makes a home “Christian”? What are its markers? Is it the Bible verses on the walls? The mom in the kitchen? The dad in the garage? The kids playing outside? Is it their choice of education? Or policy on screen time? Or household budget, diet, or weekly schedule? Or is it more?

The world wants us to label ourselves and others, to define our Christian home by some arbitrary, man-made criteria instead of the posture of the hearts within its walls. But we don’t want a world-driven home. We want a Christ-centered home.

So what is a Christian home? Well that’s what we are discussing today.

ALSO:

—Being a woman in the 1500’s

—When to submit and when to step in

—Homes that look like heaven

—How does Jesus want me to treat this person?

—Three specific ways to nurture and protect your family

References:

—“I Like Me” documentary about John Candy

—“Last One Laughing” TV show

—Ephesians 5:22-31

—Matthew 19:10-12

—“Crowded Table” by The Highwomen

—“Home Alone”

—“I Don’t Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist” podcast by @drfrankturek

—Kirk Cameron podcast @kirkcameronshow on “Dangerous Questions”

It All Starts Here

Hi, friends! We are in our second week of looking at relationships in the Bible as well as our everyday lives, mining for truths in order to make some sense of how this is all supposed to work.

Last week we found the starting line—the Garden of Eden. And when the starting gun went off, there was a trip and a fall, and the whole world toppled into sin.

But God gave us a new starting line. While we were sick with sin, enemies hostile to God, He made a way for us to be right with Him again. He gave us Jesus. And now we stand in a waterfall of grace.

That’s our new starting line. In every relationship we are standing in grace, drenched in grace, and breathing grace in and out. So today we are going to sit in that truth a bit and let it wash over us, and we are so glad you decided to join us!

ALSO:

—Why we rejoice in suffering

—All the little gardens where heaven and earth collide

—Jesus alone makes us good with God

—Honoring God’s boundaries

—Lauren and Monica reveal their points of pride

—Going to the Word because lies sneak in

References:

—Romans 5-6:2

—Ephesians 4:26-27; 5:22

—“Life Together” by Dietrich Bonhoeffer

—“Beloved” by Francis Chan

—“Come Home” by Caroline Saunders

—Blurry Creatures podcast episode 389: Where Heaven Meets Earth with N. T. Wright

—“The Vision of Ephesians” by N. T. Wright