Taking Next Steps with Jesus

“'I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2  Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3  Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4  Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5  I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6  If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7  If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8  By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9  As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. ...

 * God’s gospel originates in and expresses the wondrous perfections of the eternal, triune God 1.     We believe in one God, Creator of all things, holy, infinitely perfect, and eternally existing in a loving unity of three equally divine Persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Having limitless knowledge and sovereign power, God has graciously purposed from eternity to redeem a people for Himself and to make all things new for His own glory. God’s gospel is authoritatively revealed in the Scriptures 2.     We believe that God has spoken in the Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, through the words of human authors. As the verbally inspired Word of God, the Bible is without error in the original writings, the complete revelation of His will for salvation, and the ultimate authority by which every realm of human knowledge and endeavor should be judged. Therefore, it is to be believed in all that it teaches, obeyed in all that it requires...

Jesus has commissioned us to live as Disciplemakers.  The way we talk about that is by asking, “How can we take next steps with you, with Jesus, Together!” We would love the opportunity do life with you.  Church happens in and through our lives–It’s the reason why Jesus put skin on, and came to hang out with us. What you can expect is simple; We want to find ways to Eat Together, Serve Together, and Play Together.  In that, we are trying to keep a fresh walk with Jesus–you certainly don’t need any more of us splashing off on you—you need more Jesus splashing off. When we meet together we try to make a practice of Studying the Bible to know the Author, Praying Together, Loving one another, and Celebrating who God is and what He is doing; expecting that God will show up, aligning our hearts with His, and doing great big God things. We seek to honor Jesus as Lord and King, Share the Gospel in word and deed, Make Disciplemakers who make Disciplemakers who make Disciplem...

The Bible says, " For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago."   Eph. 2:10* This resonates throughout the story of Esther.   A young woman name Esther is collected with other ladies, to be put through a grooming process, and then given to the king; to see who he liked best--and she would then become his queen.  Esther is chosen, out of all the others, and becomes queen; beginning a new season of life--but doesn't let people know her nationality.  She is a Jew.   An evil rises in the kingdom, and an old story takes place.  Pride isn't placated, ego is violated, and retribution is threatened. Esther's uncle Mordecai won't honor the official Haman.  Haman becomes furious, and decides that Mordecai and his whole people--the Jews--must die for this slight.   Now, it's one thing to vent and talk like this--not a good thing--but, when you have the ...

People came to Jesus with mixed motives, wanting Him to do miracles, and to feed their hungry belly’s...in other words, Jesus had their attention. It is at this point in the Gospel of John that Jesus clearly addresses the Gospel--the rescue plan of God--in a way that asks us to humble our hearts, and allow God to align them to His will and understanding, and not our own. With great clarity Jesus knew why He was here; “For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will. 39 And this is the will of God, that I should not lose even one of all those he has given me, but that I should raise them up at the last day. 40 For it is my Father’s will that all who see his Son and believe in him should have eternal life. I will raise them up at the last day.” ‘For I have come down,’ this phrase appears 5 times in this passage. Do you hear the intentionality? Do you hear the clarity? Jesus knew exactly what He was here to do. His wh...

Jesus came and "Dwelt", made His home, 'Tabernacled', went camping, put skin on, became flesh; among us. I have been reading John 1: 1-2, 14 this week, and it has brought me to tears. "[ Prologue: Christ, the Eternal Word ] In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son." John 1:1-2, 14 NLT https://www.biblegateway.com/  Why would God do this?  Why would God leave His throne above, become human, and enter into our world?  The stories the the Bible about the Dad of the prodigal son and his brother come to mind.  A Father longing for His children. The story of the Leper who wondered if he was even worth it to heal. The Widows, and Orphans who were pushed out by society and b...

Have you ever played a game where you had to wear a blindfold? It's a rather disorienting, and fascinating experience. In college my roommate was blind.  Dave was an exceptional human being.  He was an athlete who was a proficient Hockey Goalie, Downhill Skier, and he played for a para Olympic team--that he invited his other roomies--to come and play. The game was set on a volleyball court's dimensions, minus the net.  The lines were taped with a string underneath the tape.  There were 3 on a team, and if you think of the court divided in three sections horizontally where the 3 players would stand on the two sections at the ends, and the section in the middle (where the net would usually go) it was open. The goal was to take the medicine ball sized ball--which has 2 bells in it--and throw it so that it was on the ground by the time it was entering the middle section, and get it past the 3 players and cross the back line.  When you did so, your team rec...