Circumstances

March 20, 2018 by Kevin Johnson

As we read the Bible, it can be easy to forget that there were people involved. It can feel like we’re opening up a confusing, sometimes mysterious, holy book, and we forget that there were real people involved.

Philippians was a letter written by Paul. For us, Paul has become a sort of larger-than-life missionary that we attribute most of the New Testament to. We have to remember that Paul was just a man. He was a kid once. He experienced a lot of the same things we do. He wrote Philippians in the midst of some interesting circumstances.

Paul wrote this letter from prison.

Holding the Rope

March 15, 2018 by Kevin Johnson

Have you ever met someone that you wanted to be like? As you get to know them, you think, "I want to be like him?" Or, "How do I get to be more like her?" Maybe they’re funny, joyful or helpful. There are some people from the book of Acts that I've always admired. I want to be like them. Weirdly, no one knows their names.

His Heart Struck Him

March 13, 2018 by Kevin Johnson

There's a story from the Old Testament that has always fascinated me. It took place by the Wildgoats' Rocks near the wilderness of Engedi. What a location!

David was on the run. Though he had been anointed as the next king of Israel, he wasn't in charge yet. Think about what a confusing time this must have been for David. Imagine experiencing a prophet showing up at your house and anointing you as the next king of Israel. How do you live with that knowledge?

It's Not About What We Do

March 08, 2018 by Kevin Johnson

Jesus told a story in Luke 15 about two brothers. The brothers had a wealthy father who was going to leave them a big inheritance. At the beginning of the story, the younger brother does the unthinkable.

He essentially tells his father that he wishes he was dead.

Bad Kids

March 06, 2018 by Kevin Johnson

I became a Christian when I was eight years old. You may have had a similar experience. It is so amazing to grow up in a family full of people that love and follow God, but I think there's one big drawback.

When we become Christians at an early age, we often don't have a great understanding of our sin. We're pretty good kids, and there sometimes isn't a drastic change in our behavior after placing our faith in Jesus. At least that's what we think.

Pick Up the Phone

March 01, 2018 by Kevin Johnson

I bet you've had this experience before: there is a friend or family member that you haven't talked to in a while. You need to catch up. You know you should call them, but you just can't seem to get around to it. It crosses your mind all the time, but you're always too busy to pick up the phone. Inevitably, a couple of days after you fail to make the call, your phone rings.

Living by Something We Haven't Read

February 27, 2018 by Kevin Johnson

Everyone has experienced someone asking them the dreaded question, "What have you been reading in the Bible lately?" Whether it's a pastor, friend, or your parents, you don't really know what to say. Because you haven't been reading Scripture, you don't have a good answer. But you know you can't be honest and tell them that because you feel guilty. Also, you like the Bible. You quote the Bible. You try to live by the Bible. So it doesn't make sense, even to you, for you to say that you haven't been reading it. So many times we land right there: trying to live by something we haven't read.

When it Feels Like Too Much

February 22, 2018 by Kevin Johnson

Expectations present themselves in every area of life. You're expected to work a certain number of hours, make certain grades, and take care of your responsibilities. As we try to wrap our hands around these expectations, church can feel like just another area of expectation. We walk into church needing relief, but leave feeling burdened with more tasks.

Colliding Worlds

February 20, 2018 by Kevin Johnson

I grew up in a strange environment where I went to school and church on opposite sides of town. There were people that I hung out with who couldn't find my church on a map, and my church friends didn't know anyone at my school. I had two different worlds. And they didn't mix.