Good as an adjective is defined as “to be desired or approved of.” But, good as a noun is defined as “that which is morally right; righteousness” and a “benefit or advantage to someone or something.” I tend to view things as being good only if I desire or approve of them. With this viewpoint, I center myself as having the final say in what is good for me. But, good as a noun asks me to look outside of myself, to consider what is beneficial and morally right.  Read More

God’s good isn’t always top of mind for me. When I’m distracted by my own desires, perceived needs, priorities or preferences, I tend to bypass those I see around me who could use a little bit of God’s good things. Too often I neglect to work, labor, and endure; this neglect is probably due to my lack of focus on faith, hope and love.  Read More

May we be a church filled to the brim with the quiet confidence and godly peace to serve God out of the abundance of order He has bestowed on us! Not looking back like Lot's wife out of fear, but looking forward like Mary to the order of the coming kingdom!   Read More

For our inaugural book, I've chosen a text that I mentioned in a recent sermon: David Brooks' "How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen.” When we think about Redeemer, we long for church to be a space where people are not only welcomed but earnestly sought after, known, and genuinely loved. But how do we actually do this?!?!   Read More

We are wholly dependent on Him for strength each day and to be set apart for Him as holy. But the good news is: it’s not a BAD kind of dependent. It’s the only dependent relationship in this life where the one side is fully able and fully meant to hold the other side up. Praise be!  Read More

if you are facing adversity, I pray you know that you are not alone. I pray our community would be one where we are more about the we than the me. May the Lord give us all the desire to intercede through deed and truth to each other and may the body collectivity be comforted through one another by His mighty aid.   Read More

Since Christ has already died for my repeated sins, I'm guaranteed not to fail. I'm not left to wonder if I'll ever learn to ride the bike. Which means that I can in absolute certainty declare " O Lord, you NEVER FAIL to support and govern those whom you bring up in your steadfast love and fear".  Read More

This little nugget of a prayer reminds us that the God who made us knows when we need comfort. Just like the disciples, we are often left gaping mouthed at circumstances, “How can this possibly work out, Lord? How can this be good or end well or bring you glory?” In God’s kindness, he assured the disciples that they wouldn’t be without a Helper. They would “receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you” (Acts 1:8) and be witnesses to neighbors close by and far off.   Read More

May that relational love that God first loved you with (ref. 1 John 4:19) enable you to live with your end in mind so you can do what you cannot do on your own - become a person of agape. And as the collect prayer says, may you “exceed all that we can desire” by abiding in His love.   Read More

Rest necessitates work, but it does not require exhaustion. Setting a day aside for Sabbath does not excuse six days of unhealthy working. God rested without being tired, so it’s ok for you to rest without being tired. Yes, we are to toil for six days, but that does not mean that work is our god for six days. God is Lord of the Sabbath, and Lord of the Work Week.  Read More

This week we are praying for God to grant us the knowledge that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. We worship and fellowship together so that we may believe and know together.  Read More

Jesus is not a deity who makes impossible demands of his people from on high, distant and removed from the realities of worry and hardship. He is the Good Shepherd. I don’t know a ton about shepherds, but I do know that their job requires them to be with their sheep—walking the same terrain, battling the same elements, fending off the same enemies. The day-to-day life of the shepherd is intimately tied to that of the sheep. Indeed, the sheep cannot follow the shepherd if the shepherd doesn’t go there first! To me, that is a beautiful image of guidance and leadership that we get from Jesus’s role as our Good Shepherd.   Read More