When Desire Meets Discipleship

I think one of the more confusing ideas in our culture today is the belief that if someone is “born” with a certain desire or inclination, then that desire should automatically be accepted and embraced without question.

The reasoning usually goes something like this:  “If this is natural for me… then it must be right for me.”

And if anyone suggests restraint, self-control, or moral boundaries, that person is often viewed as hateful or uncaring.

But when you really stop and think about it, that idea falls apart pretty quickly.

The truth is, every one of us is born with tendencies we are not supposed to simply give ourselves over to. We all have weaknesses. We all have desires that pull us in wrong directions. That is part of being human in a fallen world.

One person may naturally struggle with anger. Another with pride. Another with selfishness. Someone else may battle greed, jealousy, lust, dishonesty, or addiction.

The Bible never teaches that every natural desire is good simply because it feels natural.

Not All Bubbles Rise the Same: Strength That Helps Others Grow

The next time you are near an aquarium, don’t watch the fish, pay attention to the bubbles. I’m convinced you will notice something simple and surprisingly meaningful, but something you’ve never taken the time to think about. All the bubbles rise—but not all in the same way. 

Some bubbles are large and move quickly, almost effortlessly. Others are small and drift around on their way upward at a little slower rate. Some rise in a straight line, while others slide along the glass. And every now and then, a bubble gets caught on a plant or decoration, pausing for a time before finally continuing upward.

When you think about it, that’s a lot like the Christian life.

All believers are moving toward Christ, but not at the same pace or in the same way. Some Christians appear strong, steady, and confident. Others struggle. Some hesitate. A few get “stuck” along the way. And that raises an important question:  What should strong Christians do with the weaknesses of others?

The Bible’s answer is both clear and challenging:  help them rise.

Forgiveness is the Sweetest Word in the World

You know, sometimes the best ideas for sermons don’t arrive while you’re staring at a blank page—they sneak up on you in the middle of someone else’s sermon. That’s what happened to me last week while listening to my brother-in-law preach. He said something simple, almost in passing, but it hit me like a hymnbook falling off the back of a pew:  “Forgiveness is the sweetest word in the world.”

Now, I’m not usually one to steal material… but I am willing to borrow it aggressively, so . . . 

Why Baptism Is Necessary According to Scripture

Baptism has been a subject of a lot of discussion among sincere believers. Some see it as simply a symbol of faith, while others understand it as being an essential part of responding to the gospel. But have you ever asked, “What does Scripture actually teach?”

The Upside-Down Kingdom: Living by the Values of Jesus

When I was younger, I remember hearing a story about how hunters used to catch monkeys in parts of Asia and Africa. It’s really kind of simple. They take a hollow gourd, tie it to a tree, and cut a small hole in the side. The hole is just big enough for a monkey’s open hand to fit through. Then they drop a piece of fruit or something shiny inside. The curious monkey reaches in, grabs the treat, and suddenly finds its clenched fist is too big to pull back out. All it would have to do to escape is let go of what it is holding. But it doesn’t. It stubbornly holds on to what it wants, and that keeps it trapped until the hunter arrives.

We can smile at the foolishness of that little monkey—but we shouldn’t laugh too hard. Spiritually speaking, we do the same thing.

Singing From the Heart: God’s Way of Worship

When you think about worship, what comes to mind? For some, it’s the sound of a choir, the swell of an organ, or the strum of a guitar. For others, it’s the simple, unaccompanied voices of Christians singing together. But instead of asking, “What do I prefer?” or “What sounds good to me?”—the better question is:  “What does God want?”

Jesus as Lord and Savior: Faith, Struggle, and True Success

As Christians, when we say that Jesus is our Lord and Savior, we are really acknowledging two sides of an incredible relationship. As our Savior, Jesus rescues us from sin and offers us eternal life through His death and resurrection (John 3:16; Romans 5:8). As our Lord, He calls us to live under His authority, surrendering our lives to His guidance and leadership (Luke 6:46; Philippians 2:9–11). Both are essential. Receiving Him as Savior gives us hope for eternity, but recognizing Him as Lord changes how we live every day.

Think of the lifeguard at the beach. If you are drowning and the lifeguard pulls you out of the water—that’s salvation. But if the same lifeguard then tells you, “Don’t go back into that dangerous current,” following his instructions is an act of obedience to his lordship. Jesus doesn’t just save us from death; He leads us into a new way of living.

A Garden and a Grave

 (A Communion Table Talk)

This morning, I want to take you to two places that hold deep meaning in the story of our salvation:  a garden . . . and a grave.

The two don’t seem like they go together.  A garden is where things grow.  A grave is where things end.  But in the story of Jesus, they’re both central — and they both tell the truth of the gospel.

Blood, Sweat, and Wood: The Gospel in Three Simple Things

If you are like me, sometimes, while reading the Bible, something small and unexpected grabs your attention. It’s not what I was looking for—but it won’t let go of me. That’s how I recently stumbled into noticing three surprisingly ordinary things that appear again and again in Scripture:  blood, sweat, and wood.

Christ and His Church: Getting the Order Right

When you hear the word "church," what comes to mind? A building? A group of people you’ve grown up around? A denomination? A social group with a religious focus? For many, the church is familiar. But in that familiarity, something vital can be lost—namely, what the church is, who established it, and why that matters deeply.

When Obedience Is Hard - And Why It's Worthy It

Let’s be honest:  obedience is not always easy. Most of us, if we’re being real, can recall moments when we knew exactly what God wanted from us — and yet, something in us pushed back. Maybe we were tired. Maybe it was inconvenient. Maybe we were afraid of what others would think. Or maybe, we just didn’t want to do it.

If that’s ever been you, take a deep breath — you’re not alone. In fact, you’re in good company. Jesus Himself walked that same road. Hebrews 5:7–8 gives us a stunning glimpse into the heart of Jesus:  “...who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears... was heard because of His godly fear, though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.”

Just stop and think about that . . .  Jesus — the Son of God — learned obedience through suffering. Not because He was sinful, but because He was fully human. He understands the difficulty of obeying when it costs you something. That’s not just theological truth — that’s deeply comforting.

So what do we do when obedience feels hard? When it’s inconvenient, confusing, or even painful?

Guilty but Free: Christ Our Advocate

Imagine this:  you've been arrested and indicted for a very serious crime. The prosecution has done its homework. They’ve gathered the evidence, lined up the witnesses, reviewed every moment leading up to the crime. There’s no escape—they’ve got you dead to rights.

So now, you are called into court to stand trial. The judge enters the room, and everyone rises. The jury sits down, ready to hear testimony. The air is thick with tension. You know the facts. You know what you’ve done. And worst of all—you know you’re guilty.

The Consumer Mindset in Church

We live in a consumer-driven culture. Whether you’re shopping for shoes, a phone, or even deciding where to eat, we are constantly presented with choices designed to cater to our preferences. 

A recent example from my own life:  I spent an entire week researching the perfect deck box. I visited Walmart, Fresno Ag, Home Depot, and scoured Amazon—comparing sizes, materials, reviews—wanting to make the right choice. It made sense; I was the customer. I had a need, and I was determined to find the product that fit my criteria.

This kind of decision-making defines much of how we live. Our culture says:  “Find what suits you best. Customize it. Choose what makes you happiest.” And that works fine—until we bring that consumer mindset into the church.

More and more people today approach church like they would a restaurant, gym, or streaming service:  “Does it meet my needs? Do I like the worship style? Is it convenient for my schedule?” If expectations aren’t met, they move on. But is this how God intended us to relate to the church?

The Five Principles of Discipleship: A Journey of Growth, Service, and Dependence on God

Discipleship is at the heart of the Christian life, calling believers to follow Jesus, grow in faith, and help others do the same. In Colossians 1:28-29, the Apostle Paul lays out five key principles of discipleship: proclaiming Jesus, teaching and warning with wisdom, aiming for spiritual maturity, embracing the cost of discipleship, and relying on God's power. These principles guide us in our journey as disciple-makers and strengthen our walk with Christ.

Wrestling With Temptation

"Did you see that? -- I can't believe it! The Road Warriors have turned on STING! -- their own partner!"

So went the announcer -- on and on, as the crowd "boo'ed" and cheered. In the center of the wrestling ring, two men called the Road Warriors, had just "pulverized" the three-man opposing team, and were now turning their tumbles, jabs, slaps, and what-have-you against Sting, the third member of their own team!

Unlike, the perplexed announcer, I think it is easy to figure out what was going on. The Road Warriors apparently saw better opportunities on the "dark side" of the ring; better matches, more notoriety, more money. Surely, even if you have seen only one wrestling match, you know they are full of symbolism; good verses bad, nice verses mean, decent verses deceitful . . . costumes and gimmicks give it away.

Fishing the Pond . . . and the Deep!

The last two summers I have tried to take up fishing again; I used to fish when I was younger. Wormy fingers and the smell of salmon eggs are nothing new, but I seem to have forgotten the important things. By important, I mean the things that go beyond the basics -- I know how to tie a line, bait a hook and all of that -- I just don't remember how to get the fish to cooperate.

When I was growing up, I don't remember many Saturdays going by that my grandfather hadn't planned a fishing expedition up to Millerton Lake. Unlike me, my grandfather knew how to get the fish to cooperate; not only on his line, but on my line too! He'd say. "Looks like a big one right over there by that log. I'd cast, and sure enough, the fight was on!

Trusting In A Two-By-Four

Most of us know, and can easily identify a piece of lumber known as a “two-by-four” when we see one. I’ve been around them in one way or another since as far back as I can remember. They are seen everywhere, and people use them to build almost everything. In fact, you are probably within a few feet of one right now, though it might be hidden from view behind sheet rock or plaster.

Every carpenter and contractor out there would identify the same board as a “two-by-four”. Two-by-fours are a mainstay and building block, so to speak, of the construction industry. If you want to go into carpentry and can’t identify a two-by-four when you see one, I think it would be good idea to consider choosing a different line of work.

Not only do professionals and Do-It-Yourself guides identify the piece of wood as a “two-by-four,” also, if asked, almost anyone will tell you it gets its very name because of the measurements attributed to it – two inches by four inches.

I find it interesting that so many of us know a two-by-four when we see one, and yet few of us know that it isn’t really a two-by-four at all.

“What do you mean?” I can hear you say. Well, let me explain . . .