1 John 4:17 When God’s love is present in a group of Jesus-followers, it is a wonderful thing. There is a unity of purpose without uniformity. We can have disagreements without being disagreeable. There is a sense of fulfillment without complacency. But this is a rare thing in our world. Our text couldContinue reading “Mature Love”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Reliance
1 John 4:16 There is a certain sequence of events that create safe and secure relationships. The sequence starts with knowledge. We get to know someone as the first step. Infants get to know their parents and siblings. In that intimate interchange bonds are created that go beyond the simple smiles. The infant’s brainContinue reading “Reliance”
3D Printing
1 John 4:15 For many people today, the phrase “broken record” really has no actual experiential knowledge connected to it. They have never heard an actual record player, let alone had a piece of dust or a scratch cause the record to reply a short portion of a song repeatedly. As someone who isContinue reading “3D Printing”
Testify
1 John 4:13-14 What happens when a process in finished? What happens at the end of an assembly line? What happens when a woman has carried a baby for nine months? When you see big, red, juicy apples hanging heavily on a tree, don’t you just want to pick one and eat it? WhenContinue reading “Testify”
The Next Best Thing
1 John 4:12 One of the struggles in life is that we don’t get the opportunity to see God face to face here on earth. We can see the abundant evidence of His handiwork in creation. We can see the results of His intervention in history. His existence helps us make sense out ofContinue reading “The Next Best Thing”
Motivation
1 John 4:11 I have some acquaintances who did some very heroic things. They put their own lives on the line to save other people. Some did it in a combat zone. Some did it here at home. We see a story about a passerby reaching into a burning vehicle to rescue the trappedContinue reading “Motivation”
First Moves
1 John 4:10 The first move is often the most important. New technologies are often about the first move in a new direction. Chess has only so many first moves, some better than others. In dating relationships, it is that first move that often takes the most courage. I know it takes courage toContinue reading “First Moves”
Through Him
1 John 4:9 WE live in a world of electronic gadgetry. I don’t know about you, but the last thing I do at the end of the day is plug in all my electronics to be sure they are charged up for the next day. My cell phone is next to my bed onContinue reading “Through Him”
Essential Outcome
1 John 4:7-8 One essential ingredient of the Jesus-follower’s life is love. We have enough hatred in the world to meet everyone’s need for that. The news is filled with stories of hatred. And the stories of love are usually ones that trivialize it, like a lost puppy being rescued or a sex changeContinue reading “Essential Outcome”
Worldview
1 John 4:5-6 Our perspective on life changes everything. Let me give you an example. If you believe that the government has the solution to all human problems, then you will want a bigger government with ever increasing power. That is because when the problems don’t get solved, the answer is to make governmentContinue reading “Worldview”
The Arnold Journey 