And many women who followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to Him, were there looking on from afar, among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons (Matthew 27:55-56, NKJV). Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. (John 19:25, NKJV) Who was at the cross with Jesus after the rest of His followers had deserted Him?  Which of His followers remained by His side in the most difficult moments of His life?  Who stayed by Him and…

When you’re in the wilderness, you can’t just roll over and play dead.  (Even though that’s exactly what you want to do- stay in bed with the covers up and the curtains shut tight!) You just can’t.  Because if you do…you’ll be stuck in the wilderness for a very long time. Trust me.  I know…because in my wilderness season, escape and self-pity were my faithful friends for a good long while.  And they didn’t serve me well. So if this is you…if this is where you are… I get it.  I’m there with you!  (You’re not alone!) But if you’re…

Reaching people. Loving people. It isn’t about programs.  It’s about us. Because programs don’t have hands and fingers and heartbeats. But you and I do. This is what God has been wrecking me with for the last week.  Last November, our church launched an Adopt-a-Block program called Operation 3:18.  Our mission is simple- “How can we help you?”  Our name is based off of 1 John 3:16-18: Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoso hath this world’s good, and…