As we move into July two things will be happening in the life of our church: First, we will be taking an intentional break from all the regular rhythms of ministry (with the exception of Sunday worship), and Pastor Andrew will be taking a much needed one month sabbatical. With that in mind, I thought it would be helpful to spend some time thinking together about God’s good design for ‘rest’. You may have never thought about it. Or this might sound a lot like justifying lazin

“What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits to me?” (Psalm 116:12) That question from Psalm 116 captures the heart of the Christian life. When we stop and consider all that God has done for us, we naturally ask, “How should I respond?”The answer Scripture repeatedly gives is gratitude. Yesterday's sermon concluded Paul's epistle to the saints at Colossae. Before the service yesterday, I re-read the epistle and couldn't help but notice how many times Paul touched on

This past Lord's Day, we considered Paul's exhortation in Colossians 4:5–6 to "walk in wisdom toward outsiders" and to let our speech be "always gracious, seasoned with salt." While those commands apply to all of our relationships, they can be especially challenging when the outsiders closest to us are members of our own family. Many Christians have experienced the tension of seeking to honor Christ while navigating difficult relationships with unbelieving parents, children,