Before our recent IGNITE concert where David was leading in a new song, I gave him a hug. I told him, “I can hardly believe you’ve only been here a year! I’m so thankful for you.”

“God, I know you’re not mean, but it feels like it today.” My wife, Sarah, and I were sitting—devastated—in the car outside our doctor’s office. My wife’s blunt prayer was all she could muster.

It’s clear that Christians should not allow the pains of life to steal our joy in God. We should embrace the brokenness in the world with a hopeful confidence. That’s true and biblical.

The notification on my phone this morning made me groan: “BREAKING NEWS – New Zealand police confirm death toll in mosque terror attacks has risen to 49.”

Turning water to wine was Jesus’ first miracle in the Gospel of John. According to 2:1-12, the wine ran out at a wedding. It would have been terribly embarrassing to the groom. Jesus quietly intervened.

On Tuesday I received a text I feared would be coming soon: “Tyler Trent just passed into heaven.” Based upon what I was hearing from his parents, Tony and Kelly, I knew Tyler was entering his final days. But the sober reality of that definitive text was gut-wrenching.

For over 15 years, I’ve led a monthly prayer meeting for the churches I’ve served. One of the most inspiring moments is when we ask for people to share answers to prayer.

The Old Testament law was a gift. But it wasn’t enough. After God delivered Israel from slavery in Egypt, leading them through the Red Sea and destroying Pharaoh and his army, he met them at Mt. Sinai. From the top of the holy mountain, he delivered the law to Moses.

Memorials matter. The book of Lamentations is a memorial, and you should preach this historic book.

If we are honest, there are elements of perfectionism in all of us. The scope of the issue may not be widespread or all-encompassing. But I would guess there are particular areas of where perfectionism lingers underneath.

The first chapter of John lays the foundation for who Jesus is and what he does. The opening verses identify Jesus as pre-existent, fully God, and the creator. But it isn’t long until John pivots toward the mission of Jesus. The incarnate Son of God aims to rescue sinners by moving toward them.

Two weeks ago I led a Civil Rights Vision Trip for College Park Church. Fifty ministry leaders from diverse backgrounds and ethnicities traveled together on a five-day journey–a pilgrimage of sorts.

Biblical unity in diversity is a core value at College Park Church. Over the last five years, we’ve witnessed a beautiful growth in our ethnic diversity. Our journey is far from over.

The first three verses of John’s gospel are beautiful and essential. These verses are loaded with truths that must be believed about Jesus. John will make that very clear.

Every day I’m seeing the words and actions of Jesus in a different light. And I’m finding myself saying, “Man, I love Jesus!” more and more.

You could summarize the theme of John’s gospel with one word:  believe. From chapter one to twenty-one, the aim of John’s account of Jesus’ life and teaching is to call people to believe in the Son of God.

For the last decade at College Park Church we have not only distributed a church bulletin but also a copy of the sermon manuscript.

One of Jesus’ favorite teaching methods was telling stories with powerful points. They’re called parables.

Desperate moments humble us. They help us come face-to-face with our limitations. But something surprising and helpful can also happen.

Over the last few summers, I’ve enjoyed doing something that many people consider crazy. I compete in triathlons. While I generally enjoy the event, there is one aspect of a triathlon that is especially challenging: the swim.