Offered & Given

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. ⏤ John 3:16

God so loved the world that he gave. The Greek word for 'gave' can also be translated as 'offered.' These two English words are so similar and related. The difference is what happens with the gift. For a gift to be given, it has to be received. Otherwise, it's only been offered. God offers grace in many forms. Will we take hold?

Not Making Pretzels

I was trained as a chemical engineer. I learned how to take consistent raw materials and run them through a consistent process under consistent conditions to make a consistent product. This is how pretzels are formed from flour, salt, leaven, and water. But it's not how people and churches are formed. Instead, watch how leaders lead when conditions are wildly variable and people are so diverse. Look for signs of trust, affiliation, curiosity, and attention. Listen to the stories.

Explorer

Like any culture, God’s kingdom is vast, deep, and layered. As a relative newcomer (we’re all beginners), there’s so much to discover in its frontiers. Am I pressing in to learn—and to adapt? Am I growing up and branching out? And, do I resist the relentless tug of the ‘old kingdom’ that’s all around me? I know my tendency will be to prefer comfort, and the world’s patterns pull hard, but I also know these ‘weeds’ choke out life and freedom. (cf. Matt. 13:22)