For several days this fall, I awoke with Phil Wickham’s beautiful hymn “Reason I Sing” playing through my head. If you haven’t heard it, take a listen here. I remember one morning in particular, when I was standing on the front porch watching the puppy run amok. The light was still new–you know–that happy pale yellow that makes everything look like an Instagram pic, and the sky was that perfect cerulean blue that only comes when summer is waning into fall. I remember looking at our bushes–which are big and unruly and always make me want to grab a shovel and start digging them out, and humming the chorus of Wickham’s song, when I had the unmistakeable awareness of the presence of the holy diffusing itself all around me.

Before you get all excited about some modern-day burning bush story that ends with me uprooting my family and heading to Egypt, let me clarify that I didn’t see my bushes on fire (though if they HAD been…never mind). No, in that moment of holy hello the overwhelming feeling that bubbled up inside of me was gratitude. I began thinking about all of the reasons I had to sing: breath in my lungs, a roof over my head, family peacefully slumbering inside, good friends to share the journey with, food on my table, work that I love….but mostly, that there is a God who created all things, who is full of love and mercy, and who calls me his own. And so, in that moment, the song I had awoken singing became a prayer of thanksgiving to the One who calls me beloved.

Gratitude is a powerful thing. I’m not talking about the merely polite “thank yous” we dole out when someone holds a door, hands us a receipt, or refills our water. I’m talking about that deep-from-your-soul spring of praise that bubbles up when you realize that you are walking with a holy presence, and the very fact that He IS means you are blessed. Maybe not materially, maybe not in health, maybe not financially, maybe not in peace…but for sure in the secure knowledge that you are held by the One who created the heavens and the earth and who holds eternity in his hands. And that is our hope. And that is our joy. And that, Wickham writes, is reason to sing.

That’s not to dismiss the horrors of the world–of which there are many. My heart breaks for the people of Israel, Gaza, Sudan, and Ukraine, especially the children whose lives are being ripped apart by unimaginable violence. I ache for those friends who are in the midst of the valley of the shadow of death–whether it be a physical loss of someone held dear, the end of a relationship, or a sudden change in life’s circumstance. But the fact that there is pain and suffering in the world shouldn’t diminish our capacity for gratitude, or cause us to cease lifting our voices in praise. On the contrary, I think, as God’s people, we are called to stand in front of that yawning pit of darkness and to fight it by lifting our voices together in a song of praise to the one who will make all things new.

Being grateful for what God has done in our lives doesn’t mean we’re ignoring the pain….it just means we’re choosing to put our hope in something more than that which can be found on Earth. And we know where that hope leads. It carries us to eternal joy, which is so much more than temporal happiness.

So this week, as we gather with loved ones to share a meal in a season meant for giving thanks, let’s lift our souls in songs of praise to the one who journeys with us, faithfully holding our hands as we navigate a road that can be broken, muddy, covered in boulders, hilly, and sometimes dark, knowing that he will lead us to where we need to be.

Blessings and Peace,

Sara

As many of you know, I love Scripture. It’s how God and I connect on a day-to-day basis. As I read, I feel like I’m having a conversation with God, and it both fills and enriches me. Recently, I’ve also been turning to the words of those who have come before–some of those in the great cloud of witnesses Hebrews references. These are scholars, theologians, and church leaders who have helped to shape the Christian faith over the past few millenia. So, I was very excited when, as part of Bible Gateway’s Blogger Grid, I was offered the opportunity to review a free copy of the new Bible featuring the writings of some of these faith founders.

Called the Timeless Truths Bible, it is written in the New English Translation and features insight from leaders like John Wesley, Martin Luther, Augustine, and Charles Spurgeon. According to the publisher, the Timeless Truths Bible: “will encourage you through the always timely wisdom of those who came before us. Devotional notes and commentary from trusted theologians and pastors from the second century up to the twentieth will stir your affections. The ancient creeds and confessions of the faith will grow your understanding of what we believe—and have always believed. And artwork created throughout the history of Christianity will deepen your worship of the one we call Lord.”

Also included are:

• Margin notes featuring devotional and theological commentary from notable figures throughout church history including Irenaeus, Justin Martyr, Augustine, Martin Luther, Ulrich Zwingli, Origen, John Wesley, Charles Spurgeon, John Bunyan, and John Calvin.
• Forty-six full-page biographies of church leaders
• The complete text of some of the creeds and confessions of the Christian faith that have shaped our beliefs for generations, including:
  • The Apostles’ Creed
  • The Nicene Creed
  • The Chalcedonian Definition
  • The Athanasian Creed
  • The Augsburg Confession
  • The Belgic Confession
  • The Westminster Catechism
  • The Lausanne Covenant
• Book introductions for every book of the Bible
• Full-color tip-in pages of artwork from the history of Christianity

As I’ve dug into these texts over the past week or so, I’m reminded that we do not walk this road of faith alone, and the insights and understandings shared from brothers and sisters over time both enrich and renew me. Reading their words, I feel more connected to a global faith, and feel an even greater responsibility to pass it to the next generation. This Bible is a through-line of faith, linking past and present. And though it is highly male-centric, leaving out the voices of faith-mothers like Susannah Wesley, Julian of Norwich, and Teresa of Avila, it is a remarkable resource that can help us unpack the timeless truths of Scripture and make them relevant to a new generation.

You can find the Timeless Truths Bible here or on Amazon.

Last week, in the middle of an aisle at Sam’s Club, I felt the warning signs of an impending anxiety attack. As I stared at my cart piled to the brim with boxes and tubs and pre-packaged everything, my heart began to pound and my temperature rose, then cooled, while the pit that often lays dormant my core began to open and gnash its pointy teeth.

“Is this enough?” I wondered. “Will everyone have enough to eat? Maybe we need a greater variety of chips? Do we need more drinks? And what about dessert? We can’t run out of dessert. But we’re already spending a lot of money. I shouldn’t spend anymore, right?” With everything pounding inside and a sinking feeling spirit, I headed to the checkout where I handed over both my debit card and my goods–feeling terrible about both.

This, my friends, is what it’s like to live in a culture of scarcity. Nothing is ever enough, and all that we have in abundance is anxiety. I know you can relate. It’s how we roll in the western world. Marketers tell us that we need to buy something fast because those shoes won’t be on sale next week and the Pumpkin Spice Latte only lasts for a season. We’re taught to consume it all before it’s gone–YOLO, am I right–while at the same time being told to hoard everything in case you need it down the road. It’s no wonder a trip to the grocery store often feels like stepping into the Hunger Games arena!

But it’s not just about finite resources. We have the same scarcity principle of time–cramming our calendars to overflowing so as not to miss out on something, while bemoaning our lack of time to do the things we truly enjoy. In our minds, everything can become nothing in the blink of an eye…so we perpetually focus on the not enough.

Like most things in our world, the scarcity deficit from which we operate is the complete opposite of what God envisioned for his kingdom. Consider this passage from Psalm 36.

I love the imagery here–how God calls us not to amble over for a light pre-game snack, but to run and eat our fill of heaven’s bounty while quenching our thirst from Eden’s own spring! There is no scarcity in God’s realm…there is only fulfillment. Need more proof?

Consider the creation story, when God caused light to burst into the void that was the Earth, then brought forth lush vegetation, waters teeming with life, and a myriad of creatures roaming the land. Or Abram, whom God called to marvel at the fullness of the night sky, then said that Abram’s offspring would outnumber even the vastness of these celestial jewels. Later, as Abram’s offspring wandered the wilderness and wondered what was for dinner, God made sure their bellies were full of heavenly bread and succulent meat. Then there is Ruth, who gleaned in a field in expectation of finding meager sustenance, only to have Boaz instruct his workers to leave piles of wheat for her to gather. And can we forget the woman at the well, whom Jesus promised streams of living water so that she would never thirst again?

Our God is abundant. There is no scarcity to be found in his work, in his love, in his mercy, in his grace. So why do we choose to live as if there is a deficit? Why do we insist that we don’t have enough when we worship a God whose very nature is one of generous giving. God gives–fully, completely, abundantly. There is enough…for…all…people.

There are those in this world for whom scarcity is a real and life-threatening situation. But it doesn’t have to be this way. God teaches us that there is enough–he made enough–so that all might have an abundant life. And guess what? He’s calling you and me to be his agents of generosity! We don’t need to grab all we can while we can because God has promised that he will give us what we need when we need it. I love the way John puts it:

Instead of thinking about all we lack when God comes knocking on the door to our hearts, what if we choose to focus on all that God can offer? What if we say:

Yes! I will give one hour a week to a kid who needs a caring adult to talk to, knowing that God will make the time multiply.

Yes! I will commit to tithing ten percent of my income, knowing that God will ensure I have enough left over to support my family.

Yes! I will contribute to a holiday drive knowing that my resources will add abundantly to those of others in order to bless someone else.

Yes! I will sign up to help with that new ministry at church God has been bugging me about, knowing that he will open doors and make a way where I see only obstacles.

Yes! I will take the time to check in on a friend or neighbor, knowing that the joy of fellowship will fill me far more than whatever else I would have consumed in those minutes.

God gives us gift after gift. So, this week, try to consciously avoid the mindset of scarcity. Instead, give your fears, what-ifs, and doubt to a God who has more than enough to meet your every need.

Blessings and Peace

Sara

A few months ago, we brought a new family member into our lives. This is Roxie–a now 4-month-old Great Dane pup. And while she looks pretty docile in this photo…looks can be decieving.

Puppies, like children, disrupt everything. When Roxie entered, routines were smashed in a frenzy of jumping, biting, snuggling, and potty breaks. I quickly discovered that her morning zoomies happened to coincide with my daily quiet time. Before Roxie, I meditated on God’s word sitting on a step stool in the kitchen–opening my soul and senses to the presence of the Holy as coffee brewed and the house slowly awakened. After she arrived, I stubbornly attempted to cling white-knuckled to my old routine. This is what I do each morning. This is how I worship God, and nothing is going to change that, no matter how many times a puppy comes crashing through the kitchen.

You can guess how that worked out. A typical beginning to my prayer time would go something like this: God, as I still my thoughts before you…”Roxie! Drop it!!”…As I enter prayer now…”Get off of that chair!”…God, would you open my heart to…”Ow! No bite!! Let go–I said let GO!”

Frustrated at my lack of progress, I decided to do what many people do when change is thrust upon them–I quit. If I couldn’t meet God on my terms, then I decided I just wouldn’t meet him at all.

While completely irrational and contrary to everything I know to be true, my stubborn spirit was unrelenting. It’s like the question the psalmist asks in Psalm 11:3. I justified it to myself by saying, It’s just a season. I’ll pick up where I left off when she’s older. God, however, felt otherwise.

Over the past few weeks, God has been whispering into my soul. His words are simple and logical. He says, “You can find new places and spaces in your life to be with me.”

Yet as a creature of habit, I resist these kinds of messages. While I think change is fine for other people, I really am not interested in practicing it myself. My stool is a venerated object–the kitchen my sacred space–the end. But here’s the thing God is teaching me: Anyplace is sacred once God enters in. Think about where you worship God. Is it really limited to one concrete place? When I’m being honest, I can recognize that I have worshiped God by campfires, in cars, on airplanes, in the shower, at huge events, and in the darkness of my bedroom at night. Experiencing God is not a function of place, but of purpose. And it’s not predicated on what worked in the past, but on where we find ourselves in the present.

While most of us resist it, life is change. Seasons come and go. We grow and evolve. Hopefully we mature. We experience new things that broaden our minds and enhance our understanding. But too often, as people of faith, we tie ourselves to the past and refuse to move forward. There’s comfort and familiarity in the way we’ve always done something–but it’s not realistic or sustainable. We don’t worship a God who lives in the past, but one who is moving and acting and saving in the present. He’s ready and eager to meet us wherever we are. As Psalm 11 continues…

The Lord is always in his holy temple, so we don’t need to get caught up in ideas of place or space. God will meet us wherever we are, in whatever season we’re in, to fill us up so that we can go forth and serve in his name. This week, give thanks for all of the things you loved in the past, including those special places where you encountered God. Then, take a deep breath, and walk with anticipation with God (and maybe a puppy) into the future.

Blessings and Peace

Sara

As I write this today, any number of awful things are happening in the world. Communities have been devastated by fire, flood, and wind. Wars rage, violence erupts on city streets, governments that are supposed to protect oppress instead. Tragedy strikes, grief lingers, jobs are lost, and doctors can offer little to ease the mind. Sometimes, it doesn’t seem like God likes us very much, let alone loves us.

In my experience, one of the biggest stumbling blocks to faith for people who are non-believers lies in the absolute tyranny of life itself. How can a God who is love sit idly by while tragedy strikes, trauma endures, sickness continues, and injustice abounds? Truth be told, the most reasoned and best articulated answer I can give people who question God’s motives is simply this: The world is broken, and sometimes, it sucks.

But I can also unequivocally tell you this–God does love us, and the proof of that is everywhere. It’s in early-morning hours as the peachy orange of a new dawn slowly pushes the night away and the birds emerge from their slumber to sing the day into being. It’s in the praise song that fills my heart and compels me to sing as I take my son to early morning band practice. It’s in the daily reminders that my life is full of people who love me: texts from my mom sharing news of the day, calls from my sister while she’s waiting in the drive-thru lane at Starbucks, Sunday evening conversations with my in-laws as we unpack our week. God’s love is in the rhythm of daily living that my husband and I have cultivated together over the past 19 years, full of conversations about everything and nothing, laughter and love. It’s in those moments where I look at my boys and see glimpses of the thoughtful and talented men they are becoming, realizing that God is working in their lives even when I don’t notice.

When your heart is full of compassion and kindness, that is God’s love shining through. Paul reminds us in the letter to the Ephesians that God’s love doesn’t just skim the surface of life. It’s not temporal or transactional. It doesn’t ebb and flow. Instead, it is deep and wide, reaching well above and beyond anything we can grasp, let alone comprehend.

I think if people truly understood the height, width, depth, and breadth of God’s love, if they knew they are well and truly loved completely, then I have to think the world would change. This, then, is our mission as those who already know God’s all-surpassing and ever-encompassing love: We must be bearers of love until every person on this planet knows there is something bigger, something more powerful, something more sacred than what our eyes can see. If we truly want others to know God, then we need to love them.

And so, today, I offer this prayer:

God, give us courage and strength to love as you have loved.

God, give us patience and wisdom to love those whom you love.

God, give us compassion and understanding when we are seeking to share your love.

God, give us power to show love in ways that help others see there is a greater love.

And God, let us love because you love us.

In Jesus’ Name…Amen

Knowledge…it is something I value above most things. As a writer, my favorite days are research days…when I spend hours combing through Google articles, my eyes scanning texts for nuggets of information as my fingers tap out questions like: Why did megalodons go extinct? How does the filibuster actually work? Who invented the water slide? What exactly does G-force mean? And though sometimes it takes a bit of digging and much cross-referencing of sources, I can usually come up with the answer (the climate changed, hard to say–but one of the first recorded water rides was built in New Zealand in 1906, the force of gravity or acceleration on the body).

Whenever someone in our house is feeling unwell, I turn to Google for a diagnosis before calling the doctor’s office. When our beloved Newfie passed away last month, I researched pet cremation because I wanted to know what would happen to him next. And when my brand new sewing machine quit working correctly, I turned to YouTube to figure out how to fix it myself–and learned about the function of tension in the process!

People say that knowledge is power, but its power comes from the fact that it leads to understanding. And understanding leads to informed decisions.

That’s why it often confounds me that so much of faith is still a mystery. Despite all of my knowledge of God, I still have so many unanswered questions. Why does God let people suffer? How does eternity work? Is heaven really a place in the hereafter, or do we have it all wrong? Will God truly send people away from him after working so hard to save humanity? If God forgives and forgets, why do so many churches still talk about judgement? And how can God really be everywhere at once?

Yet as I was meditating on Psalm 8 last week, a thought occurred to me. Though there are many mysteries in this life of faith, perhaps the biggest mystery of all is that God loves us.

We are a people who spend most of our waking moments focused on our selves–on our self-preservation and self-perpetuation. If I’m being honest, I would have to say that a large chunk of my thoughts are self-directed, from pondering what I want to eat to thinking through conversations in my head, it’s all about me, myself, and I. Sound familiar?

And yet, God loves us anyway. Why? We’ve never once given him a reason to do so. In fact, a quick scroll through history will show that we’ve given God ample reasons to wash his hands of us. But instead, he keeps calling. From the beginning to the end, our Father who loves seeks us out and gathers us home. And this all-consuming love of God is, I think, the greatest and most holy mystery of faith–a strange and perplexing force out there hovering in the cosmos like the Oort Cloud (Google it). I can’t tell you why God continues to love us–it’s enough to know that he does.

God set us apart…making us just less than divine, Psalms says, but crowning us with God’s own glory and grandeur. It’s overwhelming to think about–kind of like looking up into the vastness of the night sky. When I consider the stars, I am diminished. I remember that in the grand scheme of the universe, I am but a blink, a breath, a bubble. When I’m gone, I will leave nothing lasting–nothing immemorial. My name will not become a question future Jeopardy contestants will answer. But yet, God says, “You matter to me.” And he says the same to you.

How do we respond to such a mystery? How do we let the knowledge of God’s unfathomable love shape us? My hope is that it moves us out of ourselves just a little bit farther and closer to the one God has called each of us to become in him.

This week, I would encourage you to spend some time outside looking to the sky. Lose yourself in the great cosmos of stars and planets that circle above. Be small, and in that smallness remember how very much you are loved. And let that love be enough.

Blessings and Peace,

Sara

Several years ago now, when my boys were still little and cute and cuddly–before the teen years set in and they knew more, wanted more, and looked at the world through slightly more jaded eyes–in a time and place that now seems kind of like a “once upon a time”, my boys stood watch at our front door.

We have a picture of them, standing stair-stepped side-by-side as the sun poured in through the screen door. Their faces are turned away from the camera–looking outward into the big, wide world. Their bodies seem poised, ready to spring into action–the camera capturing that moment right before potential energy becomes kinetic. And their eyes, so round, so eager, so full of expectation…the picture makes clear that something is coming, and it is gleefully anticipated.

What was the cause of such a joyful watch? A friend was on his way, and the boys were getting ready to participate in their first-ever sleepover. And so they watched. And so they waited. And so they were ready when the van first appeared, turning the corner onto our street. And so the door was thrown wide into the evening, welcoming the traveler in. And so shouts sprang forth, calling the parents and the dogs to gather: “He’s here! He’s here!” And so the watch was complete, the waited-for moment come to fruition just as the grown-ups had promised. And so there was joy.

It is with precisely this kind of ardent hope that I read Isaiah 21, as the Lord tells the people of Israel to set a watch–not because invaders are coming–but because news of deliverance is on its way.

Why did the Lord call on the remnant of Israel to set a watch? What were they supposed to be looking for? Nothing short of the miraculous….Babylon, the mighty power that had shattered the Temple and cast Israel into exile–the vast empire that had become the political, economic, and cultural center of ancient Mesopotamia–was under threat. Good news was coming to the remnant of Israel, and God said, “Watch.”

And so, Israel sets a watchman, who stands on the ruined walls of ancient Jerusalem and squints toward the horizon. It is quiet, as the people wait with bated breath. Time seems to stand still, energy suspended in its potential form, until, suddenly, there is a shout from above. A cloud of dust rises in the distance, and as the lookout calls down from the wall, a sound is heard–it is the sound of horses running.

Can you imagine the joy that greeted this pronouncement? Babylon, the nation that had flaunted its power and supposed superiority over the Lord God Almighty had fallen–her idols smashed to the ground. John recounts this moment in the book of Revelation, using it to celebrate God’s final victory over the enemy. Israel watched, and God’s promises were fulfilled.

As I read this passage, I can’t help but think about our churches today. And I wonder…are we watching? Or are we so consumed with self-perpetuation, with our own rules and policies, with numbers and monetary gains, with infighting and sacred cow traditions, that we have forgotten that part of our role is to be the lookout for God’s work in our world?

Like my boys waited and watched with hope and expectation, so we, the people of God, should do the same. We, as God’s church, should be the watchmen on the walls of our community–not looking for invaders or danger–but, as the watchman on Jerusalem’s walls peered toward the horizon seeking that cloud of dust which bore the first sign of God’s good news , so we should position ourselves throughout our communities to ardently seek opportunities to share God’s good news with the world.

As watchmen (or lookouts, if you’d rather), the Church can point to an opportunity for God to be made known–gleefully, joyfully, fervidly, and wholeheartedly. Perhaps we see someone grieving and stop what we’re doing to sit beside them. Maybe we see someone hungry and put our resources to ensuring that they are fed. Are there those in our community who are lonely, and could our churches be the community into which they can connect to something deeper? Do we have an opportunity to speak of God’s freedom to those who are imprisoned, be it a physical cell or one constructed from addiction or mental illness?

Just as he did long ago, so God still calls his people to set a watch, but not a watch of trepidation and despair. Rather, we are called to scan the horizon of our communities with eagerness–to gaze into the vast night of the world and enter into that space bringing the love and light of God.

So go…stand on the watchtower…and expect God to show up.

Blessings and Peace,

Sara

This past Sunday, Christians around the globe gathered in churches scattered far and wide to celebrate something big–the birth of the church. On Pentecost Sunday, we remember the remarkable story of the Holy Spirit roaring like a hurricane throughout the room where the apostles were gathered, branding them as holy vessels with a tongue of fire above their heads, and giving them the ability to speak in many different languages. On that day thousands of years ago, God showed up in a big way. God sent his Spirit…the Advocate…the Breath of God…to fulfill the promise Jesus made to the disciples before he was raised to heaven.

As the disciples spoke, the Spirit was set loose–opening the minds and hearts of countless people from all over the known world to the gospel message.

At its core, Pentecost is a celebration of the Holy Spirit and of God’s awesome power to fulfill each and every one of the promises made in Scripture. It’s a celebration of hope –the hope that we have in God’s mighty power to act in this world and to build his kingdom here…on Earth as it is in heaven.

Sometimes, it can be hard to reconcile the Pentecost story to the world in which we live. There’s too much hate. Too much evil. Too much anger. Too much uncertainty. But lately, I’ve felt a tugging deep within my core–a desire to proclaim the goodness of God to all I meet. It’s like a little spark–a tiny ember popping from a flaming log and shining for a moment in the night sky. It burns in the center of my soul and says, “Tell people what God is doing.” So I’ve been trying. When I hear God speak through a piece of Scripture, devotional reading, or prayer, I send it out in a text message, or even in a chat group at work. Sometimes I omit the words God and Jesus, depending on who I’m reaching out to…but I figure the Holy Spirit will take care of that. As an ember, I’m called to provide a little sizzle, not a full-blown conflagration.

I share my spark in other ways, too–being gracious to those I meet in public, having conversations and listening when interacting with fellow human beings rather than keeping my head down and eyes focused on my phone. And reaching out to build new relationships…to expand my sphere beyond the four walls of my home, or even the many walls of our church building. It’s not always easy, and sometimes there’s a trade-off in time or energy. As an introvert, I prefer cocooning, but I’m trying to follow the pull to be an ember.

Because as the Spirit threw open the doors behind which the disciples hid during Pentecost so they could share the good news of Jesus Christ, so, too, the Spirit calls us forth into the turbulent waters of the world today to share the message of God’s love. It’s not easy. There’s much that stands in the way. But where God wills, the Spirit makes a way…just as it did on Pentecost over two thousand years ago.

The psalmist writes:

The story of Pentecost is the story of God showing up. But it didn’t end there. History is full of moments when the Spirit has moved. Some have been blazes that have led to national or international revivals, while others have been small sparks in individual lives that have transformed relationships, brought hope in the midst of darkness, or changed the course of a church congregation. There’s SO much the Spirit can do when it is unleashed in our lives, even if it’s just an ember that burns brightly for a moment.

So let’s be embers, my friends. Let’s be the spark of the Spirit and lean into our communities, our nation, our world, and allow God room to move. Let’s be the hands and feet that bring good news to the brokenhearted. Let’s speak to others in words of love. Let’s offer grace to those whom we disagree with. Let’s forgive those who have wronged us. Let’s show mercy to those whom we feel are misguided or wrong. Let’s offer food to the hungry, and care to the homeless. Let’s listen before we speak, and allow others to talk. Let’s greet everyone we meet with kindness. Let’s open our hearts to empathy, and show compassion for those whose journey looks different from ours. Let’s sit with those who mourn, and encourage those who are struggling. Let’s push our each other to be better and to do better.

Most importantly, let’s expect God to show up today. And tomorrow. And the next day. And let’s be ready to follow when he does.

Blessings and Peace,

Sara

My 14-year-old came home last week talking about the book of Ecclesiastes. This is not a normal circumstance–but I had tasked him with helping me review the new NIV Student Bible from Zondervan, which I was given a free copy of to review as a Bible Gateway BG2 member–and he was taking it seriously.

Actually, what really happened was he started reading the Bible…and really liked it. I remember getting my first NIV Student Bible as a teen–and it transformed the way I read the Bible. Apparently, this new edition, with commentary by bestselling author Phillip Yancey, is doing the same. My son talked to me about Solomon’s words on life–how the king looked out over his vast kingdom, contemplated his vast wealth and abundant life, and declared: “Meaningless! Meaningless! Everything is meaningless!!”

My son commented that, in reading the commentary, he learned that Solomon wasn’t really saying all life is meaningless, just life without God because God gives life meaning. And, he said, the notes in the Bible applied the teaching in a real-world way that made sense to him. My chin might have hit the floor.

You can read more about the new NIV Student Bible from Zondervan here: But I thought I’d let my son fill you in on all the deets that appealed to him.

First, he says the Guided Reading plans are easy to follow…and that he learned a lot from the. He liked the way they were broken down by topic. He also thought the introduction to each Bible book gave a lot of useful information about what was to come, and that the examples included tied into real life and “made sense.”

Then there are the notes, which he says are “nice and helpful to understanding more about the Scripture.”

His overall impression: “All in all, this Bible is nice to use, easy to follow, and there is a lot to learn from it–but this Bible makes it easy to learn. The NIV Student Bible makes understanding the Bible easier.”

After giving me his review, he asked me if he could keep using the Bible, because he is really enjoying reading it. Then he promptly put it back in his backpack, where he’s been carrying it to and from school for two weeks–reading in his spare time both in class and on the bus.

I’m pretty sure I can’t give more of an endorsement than that!

Blessings and Peace,

Sara

What does it mean to be diverse? Technically speaking, it’s just having a variety of stuff, though when we use it we’re generally referring to the inclusion in a group or organization of people from many different backgrounds, ethnicities, and experiences. The kingdom of God has always been a diverse place–you can begin at the beginning to see God’s appreciation of diversity in the makeup of creation. Leaders in the Old Testament came from different backgrounds, and the people of Israel sometimes welcomed “outsiders” into their fold. Ruth was from Moab, God saved the Ninevites, and the disciples themselves were a motley crew made up of fisherman, a doctor, a tax collector, a Hellenized Jew, and eventually one of the most bigoted Jewish leaders. Moreover, Jesus often spoke to diverse groups of people, welcoming the upper crust, no crust, and even Samaritans to God’s feast of love.

Jesus made clear through both walk and talk that the Gospel is for everyone–a message solidified in Peter’s vision in Acts 10, and Paul’s words in Galatians 3 that there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female in God’s kingdom.

Though unity is central in the body of Christ (look at Acts 2 and the oneness of the believers), diversity is as well. The early church was highly diverse. There were people from different races, zip codes, cultures, theologies, and income levels who came together united under the banner that Jesus saves. Was there conflict? Of course! And there was positioning and posturing and power grabbing, too. But time and again the church leaders sought to resolve conflict by taking the path of love because they understood that what mattered most was the transformation of the world through the gospel message of Jesus Christ. (Acts 15:6-21) Peter affirmed to the Jerusalem Council that both circumcised and uncircumcised were saved in the same way–by the grace of Christ Jesus.

In the 3rd letter of John, the apostle writes to a dear friend and shares that he and his team of missionaries have been barred from a church because of Diotrephes–a seemingly self-appointed gatekeeper who has taken umbrage with John’s message, even resorting to spreading “malicious nonsense” about John and his followers. However, John also expresses his intent to call this bully out the next time he’s in town…because in the kingdom of God, there is no room for bullies.

Lately, I have been troubled at the bullying supposedly good “Christians” have been doing–seeking to marginalize, castigate, and even dehumanize others, and barring them from the love of Jesus Christ. John’s words about the malicious nonsense being spread ring true in the hate-filled rhetoric and mean-spirited laws aimed at the LGBTQ community, as well as Asian Americans, Latin American immigrants, and the Jewish community. The things being spread on social media, shouted by politicians, and enacted in law are nonsense at best, and a fomentation of violence at worst.

Did you know that LGBTQ teens are nearly 4 times more likely to attempt suicide than their peers? And it’s not because of who they are, but how they have been stigmatized and traumatized by their communities. These youth also experience bullying at a much more significant rate than their peers, and are more likely to be both physically and sexually assaulted.

As Jesus followers, we are called to be greeters, not gatekeepers.

I know many Christians have differing views about Scripture and the LGBTQ community–but as someone who has friends in the community, and as someone who has prayerfully studied the Bible with academic insight, I cannot abide the hate some believers spew in Jesus’ name.

Jesus calls us to servant leadership borne of love. His arms are open (John 3:16-18) as he seeks the salvation of all. As Jesus followers, we are called to be greeters, not gatekeepers.

You can agree or disagree with my theology…I don’t mind. The apostles themselves didn’t always agree, but it doesn’t give us the right to be mean or abusive. Jesus never said to hate those who differ from you, to persecute those who are different. He didn’t call his disciples to weaponize his words, or to bully salvation into others (though that’s what some in history have done). No, Jesus said to love others, because it is through loving that we introduce others God.

Blessings and Peace–and Love,

Sara