Why Mercy Road Isn’t Gathering This Sunday.
A few weeks back our leadership decided Mercy Road would not meet for worship this coming Sunday (New Year’s Day). In February of 2010 when the dream of one day starting a church movement in Indiana began it was clear God wired me to reach people not in “church”. In fact, the second “church” starts being about coddling Christians I lose all interest. So from day one, Mercy Road was about “reaching people far from God and seeing them apprenticed ...
It’s okay to be a baby, just stop starving yourself of life!
I was reading 1 Peter 2 today and read this in verses 1-2:
“1 Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. 2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.”
The reason many who are adverse to Christianity see hypocrisy within it (other than Romans 3:23 – for all fall short ...
Be thankful enough to help!
I hope you’re stuffed with turkey and had more whip cream than you did pumpkin pie. I love Thanksgiving! Now that it’s passed it feels like Christmas will be here any day. I’m also reminded that the cold winter months are now ahead.
I dreaded the winter before moving back to Indiana, but this year I’ve realized we have heat…it’s not that bad and the snow brings a little excitement to life. What I can’t imagine though is NOT ...
Be the Body, not a brand.
I’m sitting in a cafe thinking and dreaming of what could be in the city. I had the privilege of meeting some of the most influential spiritual leaders on the north side of Indy today. I’m amazed at how they lead their communities with humility and integrity. Leaders working together for the Kingdom and not “self” is always encouraging to me!
It makes me realize what a privilege it is to serve God. I’m able to feed my family and serve ...
Why most Americans get divorced, jaded, angry, and burn out.
The past week millions of people have been ostracizing Kim Kardashian for her 72-day marriage to NBA player Kris Humphries. It’s easy to crack jokes…I’ve done it. But the truth is these are just two young people making decisions similar to the rest of western culture. We want to have our dream life, but it often doesn’t work out the way we intended. The Bible actually has a solution to this problem.
The real problem is too many Americans ...
When I’m dead.
I love and hate these verses, “But, “Let those who boast boast in the Lord.” For it is not those who commend themselves who are approved, but those whom the Lord commends.” (2 Corinthians 10:17-18). It’s so difficult to live life with this kind of humility, especially in a self-branding society in which your public reputation translates to what most assume of you. Yet the Bible says our recommendation should be from God, not ourselves. Earlier Paul says, “2 ...
Lean in.
This morning I was reading 2 Corinthians 4 and came across this verse: “Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God.” (2 Corinthians 4:2). I’m reminded of the countless Christian leaders that have had very public moral failures. Talented leaders that have embraced secret, shameful, and deceptive ways.
On Sunday (at the worship experience for Mercy Road) we talked about real, authentic community. Since creation ...
Steve Jobs // Legacy.
I was so sorry to learn of the death of Steve Jobs last night. The outpouring of love for this man has been incredible (even your 3rd cousin in Siberia has heard about the passing of Steve Jobs by now!). To me this is a clear case of someone demonstrating a legacy of bringing positive life change. Jobs brain has literally shaped the future of humanity. He will be dearly missed because of his revolutionary approach ...
Purpose over Pleasure
On Sunday, I shared about our son Jaxton and dealing with his loss. It was an emotional morning that ended in a number of tears shed and hearts opened. It was the conclusion of a two-week message on boldness.
For me, living boldly for Christ’s requires a person’s willingness to accept Christ’s purpose over personal pleasure. Most of us want to experience a life with God, but few of us ever want to suffer on His account. Yet ...
Thankful
It’s been a busy day of following up from a fantastic Grand Opening of Mercy Road yesterday morning. Hundreds worshiped and studied Scripture, many made bold decisions for Christ, and our team couldn’t have been much more excited! Here’s a heart-pounding, awe inspiring video of the progression of Mercy Road this past year, including a few shots of yesterday’s Grand Opening.
Take a moment and join me in thanking God for such a great start to Mercy Road. It’s incredible to ...