It might surprise you to hear me saying, “Work is a blessing.” But, I can say that for at least two reasons: 1. Our work done well can be a blessing to others 2. Our work can bless us.

I am challenging us, you and me and the church to seriously consider that Jesus had more in mind for us than a single event of faith and a life of waiting for heaven. He is calling us to be with him, become like him now, and do what he did and is doing.

Life is filled with numerous opportunities to talk with and interact with people. Unless you never leave your house, you are bound to interact with someone at some point almost daily. What if in these moments we began to see the people looking back at us? What if we got to know their story? Maybe share a meal or a cup of coffee.

What I have experienced in my roughly 44 weeks of camp is the beauty of the Gospel being able to penetrate the hearts and minds of teenagers when they can get away from all of life’s distractions, even if it is just for a little bit.

When life feels overwhelming, I find myself crying out for wisdom. What should I do, Lord? God is kind and does promise to give us wisdom, but it begins in a surprising place.

This is, I believe, at least part of why James exhorts us to count trials as joy. Trials, and the testing of our faith, reveal our deficiencies—those places that demand healing and growth for the sake of the journey still ahead. Growth for the sake of spiritual maturity. Unto, as James says, “that you may be perfect.”

There is a dichotomy in life that is difficult to understand sometimes, a pendulum of emotions that can take us from joy to pain in a moment or even simultaneously. This paradox creates questions that often don't have answers and causes a whole range of emotions. That is why I love the Psalms so much. David asks the same questions I do.

I find it beautiful that we have a God who sees us in these mundane moments and is ready and delighted to meet our needs in them. He really does care about our everyday holiness.

It is in taking a good, honest look at these two truths that the beauty of the gospel shines so brightly. The perfect, good, holy Creator God of the universe loves me, a rebellious and imperfect sinner. This can only be possible through the gospel.

Have you ever longed to retract or rephrase something you've said? If you're anything like me, this desire is all too familiar. We’ve all likely found ourselves regretting our words more times than we can count, especially in moments of heightened emotion or complex conversations.

Maybe you read the Gospel accounts of Jesus’s ministry on Earth and you struggle to apply the descriptions of His compassion and mercy to yourself today. Maybe you are exhilarated by the good news of the Gospel and yet you grapple with the truth that Jesus not only saves you from sin but wants to be with you.

It seems our modern world defines love as a “strong feeling” at most. Love is commonly viewed as a blend of feelings and emotion. I would agree in part.

The Bible tells us in 1 John 4:8 God is love (agápē). If we want a real picture of what love is, we must look at God himself.