Inside Out People

I recently returned from two, back-to-back missions trips to the Dominican Republic and Costa Rica spanning three full weeks. In returning and reflecting on those weeks I was struck by the question of, “Now What?” Everything in my normal life that I have returned to seems so unimportant and anti-climatic that is has been tough seeing it as being worth anything. There was such significance and depth to those three weeks of ministry and discipleship that returning to a job search, school prep., and grass mowing (which I still have not done) just seems pointless.  This assessment is not limited to(…)

We apologize to our faithful readers for not being as consistent with our posts over the last few weeks. Three out of the four of us will be leaving very early on August 1 to spend 10 days in Costa Rica on a short term mission trip. We look forward to the challenging and stretching experience that lies ahead. If you are interested in staying up to date on the trip, follow this Costa Rica Team link. As a team, we will study through the New Testament book of Philippians. If you are(…)

My experience with the Bible growing up was going to church and being taught by a pastor, and then being encouraged to read the Bible on my own. Then many began to emphasize the importance of being in a small group in order to study the Bible, pray, hold each other accountable, etc. This past week I had the privilege of being a part of a short term mission trip to New York City with 23 teenagers and 7 leaders. One of our many faith building activities included group Bible studies. Every student and leader(…)

I have nothing to say, but sometimes that is a good thing. Sometimes we need to just be still and silent. I think in our modern society we get so use to things being “crazy” all the time that we forget that sometimes things do slow down, and it’s okay to just be. I have often been drawn to God in my life during those crazy times, which is perhaps why they happen, but now I need to learn how to be drawn to God in the quite moments too. This week I’ve been reminded

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Sorry that I am a few days late with this post but I just got back from a week at the beach with my family.    The very first day, I was reminded again why Jesus tells us that we need to receive the kingdom of God like a child.  (Luke 18:17)  Each year we spend at least a week or so at the same house owned by a relative.  My oldest daughter is nearly 5 and she has been to that house several times.  The house is very modest - 2 small bedrooms, eat-in kitchen, living room, family room,(…)

     Did you ever have one of those sins that you seem to be addicted to? That sin that no matter how many times you confess it, or how many times you swear it will never happen again I always does. I know that in the eyes of God a sin is a sin and all sins are equal in that they require a blood sacrifice, but this type of sin is especially frustrating because it makes me feel and realize how weak I really am. I often look at people who are addicted to

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I am have been exploring what it looks like to wait in silence before the Lord. Last time I suggested it has a great deal to do with being slow to speak and quick to listen. But certainly there are times that we need to open our mouths and speak . . . both to God and to others. Words certainly are necessary, Paul tells the Corinthians that he imparts spiritual truth with spiritual words (1 Cor. 2:13). James doesn’t say to NOT speak, he says that we should be SLOW to speak. (

     So how does one push Jesus? He’s not some fancy new gadget we need to sell. If we push Jesus like He’s some new “all in one,” “for a limited time only,” “only three easy payments of 19.95” product, what kind of image of Christ do we present? In today’s society we look for the quick fix. We want the easy pill we swallow that gets us what we want fast. Jesus is not a quick fix. He’s not someone to go to only when there is a problem that needs solved. He’s

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In my last post, I reflected on Psalm 62 and what it really means to wait in silence before God. I suggested that there is one aspect of it that has to do with contentment. I believe there is another aspect that has to do with not only being silent before God, but also being silent before others. In this Psalm, David is declaring his faith in God in the midst of the attacks coming from his enemies. He says in verse 4, “They bless with their mouths, but inwardly they curse.” I wonder(…)

If asked who my favorite band is my answer would probably always have been U2. “The Joshua Tree” was probably one of the first CD’s I ever purchased, and perhaps the only album that I like every single song on it. I’m typically not a fan of religious inspirational type books, but because of my fondness for the band I read “Walk On the Spiritual Journey of U2” and it has given me a new appreciation for the band and their take on what it means to live a “Christian Life.” Today I wanted to

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