Brain McLaren once said, “When Christianity sees itself more as a belief system or set of rituals for the select few and less as a way of daily life available to all, it loses the ‘magic’ of the kingdom.” There is a mindset that keeps us thinking that the most important thing we do as … More This Not That
My kids have had a night time ritual ever since they were little, and even though, as they have gotten older, it has been less frequent, they still love it when I sing to them. Both my kids have a favorite song: “You Can Always Come Home” by Andrew Peterson. It is a great song … More You Can Always Come Home
I have always found it interesting when God tells the people to stop whatever they are doing and asks them to build an altar. It makes me wonder “Why Altar’s?” It seems funny to me that God would want to look at a pile of rocks, as if He had nothing better to do. But … More Why Altar’s?
We can try all the outreach strategies we want. We can put together all the most creative programs we can. We can make our worship services be the most entertaining possible. But statistics still show that most people come to know Jesus and become part of a church community because of two major things: 1) … More Invite Me
I have been thinking about what can happen in our suffering. Many times it is in our pain that we find ourselves, but even more importantly it is in our pain that God finds us. Notice I didn’t say “where we find God”. Not that we don’t find God in our pain. But all too … More Where The Spirit Enters
When you really want to get to know someone you invite them over for dinner. At least my family does. Why? Because you can get to know a lot about a person over a meal. There is something about a meal that puts our guards down and allows us to speak freely (even if you … More You Wanna Come For Dinner?
Gandhi once said, “Be the change you want to see in the world.” Yet the world around us doesn’t seem to be changing. In fact at times it seems like it has gotten worse. Each generation that passes reminisces about the “good ole days”. Each generation feels like the next generation is that much worse. … More Unless, Dr. Seuss, Change & Jesus
We seem to live in a generation that is once again taking hold of the idea of having a creative mind. I know living in New Zealand, this society wants all people, especially the young, to learn to think for themselves and to see that nothing is impossible with a little imagination. Children have a … More Imagine The Unimagined
Sometimes I overcomplicate my life. Sometimes I overcomplicate Christianity. Sometimes I beat myself up with guilt. But in those dark moments, I am reminded that there is someone out there that cares for me; who wants better for me. In those moments, I am reminded of a simple fact: How He Loves! He deeply loves … More How He Loves
I love people and I love serving people. But I have a hard time seeing the needs of others unless that need is right in front of me. You see if someone was to walk up to me and say, “hey I need a ride downtown” or “I need someone to help me talk my … More Peripheral Compassion
Justin Cherry 