Be Held by Him
Are you stressed, sick, worn out, or weary? Has your body broken, slowed up, or let you down? Do you feel alone in all that you are walking through? If this is you, then you’re in good company. This is the book I needed 10 years ago when I was struck with a debilitating mystery illness. In these pages, I share the encouragements God poured out to me, believing they will speak to you and reassure you in your own hard time. Come. Come and be encouraged by God and all that He has done. Be uplifted knowing that what He does for one, He can do for you and more.
Lord of the Circle
Note from Rev. Matthew Hogan: Pastor Kyle Gerrild is simultaneously an old friend I’ve found again after many years and a gifted author. But, I wouldn’t share his book just because we had been friends. Pastor Kyle is a man I have discovered as a solid man of God and a solid preacher. Out of curiosity, I bought and read Lord of the Circle. I have found it to be an entertaining and thought provoking book that I would recommend for any youth study group. Lord of the Circle is a historical fiction centering on Joshua and Caleb’s conquest of Jericho and wrapped around circular insights from the real world. This book contains a little bit of science, a little bit of history, a fair amount of fiction, AND a number of thought-provoking questions sprinkled here and there. It’s a fairly easy read and designed to be used for personal or group studies. While appropriate for all ages, it will most likely find its sweet spot among families/ or groups with young people 6-18.
Amy Connell
Amy is an NASM Certified Personal Trainer who wants you to take a rest day and an NASM Certified Nutrition Coach who wants you to enjoy dessert. Her message of realistic, sustainable and nourishing health goals resonates with women, regardless of if they are comfortable with their food and movement or if they only run when chased by a bear. Pursuing a healthy lifestyle doesn’t have to mean pursuing perfection, in fact, sometimes we find optimal fulfillment by breaking some of those health “rules” that promote all-or-nothing perfection. Amy Connell lives out this principle by equally enjoying dark chocolate, roasted Brussels sprouts, and potato chips (but not together).
Why Trust a God Who Disappoints?
Why Trust a God Who Disappoints? A serious diagnosis took Lori Ann Wood on a faith detour she never saw coming. As a lifelong believer, she felt profound disappointment in the God she thought she knew. Wanting answers, but more than anything needing permission to ask the questions. Divine Detour is a result of a risky decision to embrace those difficult questions. She shares her hard-won insights through relatable stories, inviting you along on a 40-Day journey deep into the heart of a God who often doesn’t behave as we’d like.
Mastering Effective Communication in Election Season: Navigating Propaganda, Social Challenges, and Relationship Strains
The Propaganda Challenge We’re in a major election year. I have to be careful about my focus so that I don’t dread it and get frustrated by it. For me, the first thing I hate is the propaganda. Both sides use it. You can expect it to be there anytime there are messages that are deliberately inflammatory. Nastiness and Strained Friendships Propaganda is only the beginning of what I don’t look forward to. I don’t look forward to the nastiness that will surely come. Friendships will be strained as people argue over points that they may or may not fully understand. Of course, it will likely be at its worst on social media. Communication Struggles in Society I deal with this in a more focused way on a daily basis. Almost every couple that comes to me for counseling has communications at the root of their problems. It’s no surprise really; our society doesn’t have or teach good communication skills. Biblical Wisdom on Communication The Bible, of course, has the answer. James 1:19-20 says “But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.” Nor does the anger of man convince anyone of anything quite frankly. As I study the scriptures more and more, I find instructive passages like this seem to be ordered very deliberately. They lead with the most important point first. We must be quick to hear. Instead of hearing the whole message, we hear something that triggers us, then we are quick to respond with defensiveness which starts the process of escalation. The Power of Being Heard The first thing I teach couples (and wish I could teach society) is that everyone needs to feel heard. I need to know that you not only heard the words I said but placed value on them even if you don’t agree. We all need to know we’ve been heard. Communication Exercise Being heard with compassion is a de-escalator! The tension drops dramatically when a person knows that the other person heard them. Again, agreeing has nothing to do with it. But showing the other person that you value them enough to hear them changes everything. I have an exercise that I teach to couples that makes a dramatic difference in their lives. In essence, they are each to come with something benign. The first person speaks for one to two minutes. While the first person is speaking, the second person is listening very deliberately. As they are listening, they are trying to find that nugget that will tell them something about the other person or what is most important to them. Then the second person reiterates. This is NOT repeating! “So, what I heard was….” We don’t know if the words that were spoken mean the same thing to both people. But if I tell you what I heard in my own words, then we’re more likely to know whether I understood you or not. Now, the second person speaks, and the first person listens and reiterates. Listening all the way through and responding with compassion are key! Real-Life Application of Communication Skills When we move these skills into real life, what results is real communication and understanding. There’s more room for differing opinions because we never escalate. Then, of course, there is the magic that if we are really listening, we might learn something. I encourage you to be quick to listen. If you are willing, I also encourage you to find someone who is willing to do the exercise with you. I’ve found after teaching it to hundreds of couples that they need to do the exercise five or more times per week to get anything out of it. Of course, you can practice the skills on your own. In all of your random conversations throughout the week, try listening and reiterating what seemed to be the biggest point to the other person. Imagine how many problems we could solve in this world if we would all learn to be quick to listen!
New Beginnings and Embracing Christ’s Grace: A Resolution Worth Keeping
Welcoming the New Year: A Time for Second Chances New beginnings, second chances, mulligans…. That’s what we envision each new year granting us. It’s an opportunity for things to go better for us. Or, probably more often, it’s an opportunity for us to do something better. Creating a new good habit, breaking a bad one, or improving ourselves in some way are things that come to mind. Biblical Theme of Renewal These new beginnings or do overs are nothing new. In all actuality they are a Biblical theme. As we read the Old Testament, we see the Israelites flounder in following God. I’ve heard people sound amazed that after seeing God’s provision and protection repeatedly, they still failed to trust God and did things their own way. And each time they did, they suffered the consequences. And yet, God had mercy and grace and allowed them a new beginning. He repeatedly had mercy for them and put His protection and provision over them once again. The Ultimate New Beginning: Christ’s Birth Of course, we celebrated the ultimate new beginning a week ago. Of course, I’m referring to the birth of the Christ child, the arrival of the Messiah. “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45 (NASB95). I love that verse. We were/are captives by our own doing. We are not free. We see the same theme in John 8:31-38. That’s where we see the well-known verse, “the truth will make you free.” (John 8:32). And who is the truth? Of course, we know that Christ is the way, the truth, and the life! (John 14:6) In John chapter 8, Jesus continues to say that whoever sins is a slave to sin. Worse yet, he points out that the slave is only in the home for a while. It isn’t his to inherit. So as long as we stay slaves to sin, we will not inhabit the eternal kingdom. But since the Son is the direct heir to the Father (for illustrative purposes) then the Son has the authority to change our status from slave to free men! He lends us His status as sinless as long as we cling to Him. (Yes, I believe that we can walk away on our own even if nobody can pluck us from His hand. John 10:27-29) Striving to Draw Closer to Christ How do we embrace that new beginning? How do make the most of Christ’s saving grace? In Philippians 3, Paul is talking about being like Christ and hope of the resurrection. Remember that a focus of the Pharisees was looking forward to being resurrected and Paul had been a devout Pharisee until he met Jesus on the road to Damascus. The concept of eternal life or the rapture are really the same thing. So, starting in verse 12, Paul says that although He has not yet obtained perfection through the resurrection he says he “presses on to lay hold of that (resurrection) for which also I was laid hold of by Christ.” (verse 12) Note that he is striving to lay hold of it, but Christ HAS ALREADY laid hold of him for that very purpose. That’s why in verse 13 he says that he no longer looks back. He knows that salvation is done. Christ laid hold of Him for that purpose. If Christ has laid hold of us first, then why do we need to bother to strive? We strive to draw closer to Him, to know Him and revel in His presence. He’s very clear in Romans 6 that we don’t continue to sin just so that God’s grace is even greater. And we don’t strive to gain salvation, but out of gratefulness and to continue to build our relationship with Him. A Resolution Worth Keeping: Growing Closer to Christ So, as we begin another year, I want to encourage you to join Paul and me and grab onto the one that grabbed onto you first and strive, not looking back at the much and mire and mess that we’ve all made in our lives, but look forward with expectation to an eternity with Him, whatever that will look like. Please join me in committing to growing closer to Him and reveling in His love and relationship. That’s a new year’s resolution worth keeping!
The significance of Christ’s coming and Christmas celebration
Why I didn’t write about Advent, I don’t know. There is so much significance to it. It is a time of looking forward to both the resurrection and birth of Christ. Because of this, it is a perfect time to be aware of our need for Christ. He wasn’t sent for no reason. He didn’t empty himself to be like humanity (Phil 2:4-11) without purpose. Thankfully however, Christ did come! As we look throughout the Bible, there is often the bad news and the good news. There is the bad behavior of humans and the eventual acceptance from the Lord. Unfortunately, the bad news also always brought pain. But thankfully, Christ did come! We celebrate that today and in the words of Revelation 19:1, “Hallelujah, Salvation and Glory and Power belong to our God.” Hallelujah literally translated means “Praise ye the Lord!” It is a term or phrase of adoration. So, Merry Christmas! May you be blessed, and you are! Christ came for you and for that we cry out Hallelujah, praise ye the Lord as we adore Him.
God’s House and Spiritual Inclusion in Christianity
The Middle East Conflict: Israel’s Claim and the Al-Aqsa Mosque As war goes on in the Middle East, Israel’s claim to the land is a point of discussion for many. And yet, as they claim the land, the Al-Aqsa Mosque is built where the Temple belongs. Why does this matter? Understanding God’s Holy House Well, in the Old Testament, God talks of His Holy House. That was the Temple. Many Christians view any church sanctuary as God’s Holy place and deserving of respect. I have a respect for sanctuaries myself. Yet, when we read the Old Testament, that isn’t specifically what God was referring to. Why does this matter? Well, I believe and teach that the Old Testament is as relevant now as it was when it was written. As a disclaimer, I must say that context and an understanding of the Bible as a whole is critical to understanding some parts of the Old Testament. Isaiah’s Message of Inclusion Going way back to about 700 years before Christ was born, Isaiah spoke to the issue of the separation between the Gentiles (non-Jews) and His Holy people. After all, we would not be allowed in the Temple if it were rebuilt today. But, in Isaiah 56 God tells the foreigners that have joined themselves to the Lord that they are His and He will keep them. It’s another beautiful example that the Bible is consistent from beginning to end and that God is a god of love for all of His people. God’s Invitation to All I don’t know how many non-Christians read my blog, but if that’s you, I want you to know that you aren’t necessarily separated either. God wants you. Accepting God’s Invitation What you need to do to make that relationship real and full isn’t complicated. All you have to do is to accept His invitation to become his student. To be willing to allow Him not just into your life, as in going to church. But, at some point, you also need to be willing to be vulnerable enough to allow Him into your heart. Let Him know your pains and frustrations, hopes and fears. It’s not complicated. Getting over ourselves enough to be vulnerable to Him is usually the hard part. Encouragement for Christians And for those Christians that aren’t feeling fulfilled in their relationship with Him, I encourage you to become vulnerable too. Embracing God’s Unconditional Love God loves you because He loves you. Not because you look good, smell good, and maybe even do good. He loved you before you were born! Let Him in. I invite you to go over to my BOOKS page and check out what I’ve written on these subjects. I promise, the whole Bible has the message woven throughout, that He loves you whether you think you deserve it or not.
God’s Unwavering Love and our Security in His Hands
The Timeless Themes of the Bible I love the continuity of the Bible. There are so many themes that run through it across several thousand years. Of course, the primary themes all deal with His love for us. Once we can accept the concept that He does indeed love us more than we can ever imagine then the next concept is how he keeps us. I was reading from Isaiah chapter 49 and was reminded yet again of this. Though I think that most of us are more familiar with the passage from John 10:27-29, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; 28 and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. 29]My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.” Unwavering Security: The Sheep in His Hand Our security is in the fact that once we (the sheep) follow Him, nobody can pluck us from His hand. So many things happen in this life. Sometimes God comes through with mighty miracles and sometimes He feels so far away. As I often discuss with my counselees, feelings are not facts! I think Him feeling far away happens when we don’t see the answers that we expect. We may not have specific answers in mind, but some kind of answer at least. So, when we don’t hear His voice or see Him acting, then we feel alone. But when we remember that we are His and in His hand, then we can find some peace in circumstances that aren’t what we want or expect. It’s the concept of remembering and trusting that He knows better than we do, and that He knows and wants what is best for us and the Kingdom. This can be difficult to remember as humans in the flesh. Blessed Brokenness: Discovering God’s Glory in the Ashes As I cover in my new book Blessed Brokenness: Seeing God’s Glory in the Ashes of Life, coming to the realization that He is using us can be such an incredible blessing. It certainly helped me! But, as I said in the beginning, this is a theme that runs throughout the Bible. The human in Christ didn’t want the pain coming His way, but would accept it for the sake of the Kingdom. Even Paul was able to put aside pain and significant suffering as He was being used to minister. Even further back than either of those though was the time of Isaiah. In Isaiah 49:5-6 we see how Isaiah enjoyed the fact that God is using Him and knew that because God was using Him, he could rely on God to be his strength. The Permanence of God’s Inscription Then later, we see a verse that is clearly connected to the passage from John. Isaiah 49:16 says, “Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; Your walls are continually before Me.” God was not talking to Isaiah here, He was talking to His people that He said forgot Him even though He never forgot them! “I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands.” The people were like tattoos on His hands. There’s an overwhelming permanence to that. I praise God that He has had a plan for all time and that His plan was to be in a loving relationship with us for all of time and beyond.
The Timeless Truths Bible
Once again, I have enjoyed the honor of receiving an advance copy of a Bible as a member of the Bible Gateway Blogger Grid. They requested only that I write an honest review of the Bible after receiving it. And once again, I have only good things to say about this Bible. It is the New English Translation, which received extensive and thorough reviews as part of the process of the translation. It therefore is a wonderful combination of readability and accuracy. The Timeless Truths Bible includes sections of commentary from various Christian historical figures. It also includes some information about some of these people. I agree completely with the editorial staff of the Timeless Truths Bible that it is important to include the thoughts and understandings of these historical scholars and men of God. When working on a book or a sermon, I find that not only researching the original languages but also checking in with a commentary helps me to make sure that I don’t get off track. Having this material included in the margins will be helpful for any reader. You can get your own copy here.
