The Great God “…for I am God and not a man, the Holy One in your midst…” I love this description of God in Hosea 11:9 because it helps us see two things at the same time. God is the Holy One: He is the awesome God. He is perfect. He is unique, unchangeable, and his love and gloryContinue reading “The Great God of the Great Commission”
Author Archives: Brennan Kolbe
One Church, One Body
(One Church, Part 3) I remember one morning in college when I suddenly felt a sharp pain under my left arm. At first, I thought I probably pulled a muscle. But deep breaths became more painful throughout the day, so of course the “worst-case-scenarios” started rolling through my mind. By the late afternoon, I decidedContinue reading “One Church, One Body “
One Church, One God
(One Church, Part 2) Church Unity Reflects God’s Unity Church unity is not a core concern of the church because it’s a trend or fad. Jesus prayed for the church to be one “so that the world may believe that you have sent me” (John 17:21). Unity demonstrates the love of God to the worldContinue reading “One Church, One God “
One Church, One People
(One Church, Part 1) Ask a handful of people on the street what they think of the church, and while I’m sure you would hear an array of answers, at least a few would lament or mock the divisiveness of the church. If it’s true, it’s a tragedy, considering Jesus prayed for his disciples toContinue reading “One Church, One People”
The Seven Last Words of Jesus
The culmination of Holy Week leads us to the final three days of Jesus, beginning at sundown on Thursday and concluding at sundown on Easter Sunday. Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Morning are the major players. The crucifixion, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus form the heart of our meditations. If you hover aboveContinue reading “The Seven Last Words of Jesus”
Lament on the Move
2020 has proved to be a year of shadows and darkness; sinfulness, suffering, and spiritual attack through natural disaster, human injustice, and human sinfulness. Just a few weeks after we learned of an elderly couple from Chicago quarantined off as the first case in Chicago of a strange new virus started in Wuhan China, theContinue reading “Lament on the Move”
Anxious for Nothing?
10 Practical Ways Philippians 4 Promotes Peace During Crisis “Do not be anxious about anything” (Philippians 4:6). What do these words mean, and how on earth do they apply during a global pandemic? For the past month we’ve been forced to face these kinds of questions. Fear cripples our faith, plunders our bodies, and takesContinue reading “Anxious for Nothing?”
Can Eschatology Really Be Practical?
Practical Eschatology. Have you ever put those two words together? On the one hand, you may be wondering what “eschatology” even means. Even if you know, you’ve likely never thought about it being overly practical for your life. Eschatology is a fancy theological word that refers to the study of… the end times, the lastContinue reading “Can Eschatology Really Be Practical?”
The Good Gardener
Jesus does his work in the garden. He comes to us and tends us as if we were his own very special planting. He made us and cultivates us for himself. He pulls up old weeds and lifts each drooping head as he passes by. The disciples of Jesus were in the throes of theContinue reading “The Good Gardener”
Morning Renewal 