This past year we were forced to slow down and think about life. Some of us lost our jobs or had to re-think our financial picture. Some had to deal with health changes. Some had to re-organize their work and their schedule for their kids. It’s been an interesting time. But during this time, it has made us think more about spiritual matters. Why are we here? What is the purpose of life? Maybe there is more to life than relationships, work, money, and status. Maybe I need to t

There is a song by Rihanna that has the following words, “Shine bright like a diamond, shine bright like a diamond. We’re beautiful like diamonds in the sky.” What is this song about? It’s about two people in a relationship and shining like a diamond. While the words of this are about love, this song rings true in our Christian walk with God. How so you may ask? Because God wants us to shine among others like a star. But it’s hard to do this when we are distracted by the hard

When you first give your heart to Jesus you do not set out to be a model to others. All you are thinking is, “Thank you LORD for saving me.” You rejoice in this new relationship you have with Jesus. You feel the joy of salvation and you know you are going to heaven. But the call to be a follower of Jesus Christ is so much more. God calls us to be like Christ and in doing so we become a model to others and others can see Christ in us. Jesus says, “A new command I give you: Lov