Knowledge and grit are not all it takes to make things go better. A focus on what God asks us to do is a promised path to peace and satisfaction. Living God's values relieves us from the burden of busyness, expectations, regulations, and rigor...religious or otherwise. Take the yoke of Jesus for a uplifting change. #EasyLight #messiahyl

After the Christmas hoopla, it can be easy let Epiphany slip by. Just as the foreign magi searched out baby Jesus, we, too are all on a quest for something far greater than ourself. They discovered, as we learn, everyone is welcome in the presence of the Lord. We are one family! In truth, we are all just walking each other home. On that journey, go beyond the expected to shine the light of love and grace. #LoveGod #LoveOneAnother #messiahyl

Today we hear a new angle on the advent story—which begins in the desert. Historically, a place of struggle and uncertainty (then and now), the desert near Israel and the area of the Jordan River was ground-zero for God's greatest news for mankind. Prepare the way! That means: scrub the steps, be compassionate, show radical hospitality, embody the love of God with courage and holiness. Prepare the way! Jesus Christ is about to rumble through. #preparetheway #newchapter #humblerumble #advent...

Be ready, be alert...is not a fear-based faith. Jesus is the light of the world and God's transformative presence can be found in the waiting and expectancy within our current situation. Advent is a time to stay focused and be active in our love for God and others. #Attentive #BringLove #SpillTheLight #messiahyl

Glory to God and thanks to Messiah for our ministry together! "But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:13-15) No matter what our age, background, history or whatever God's best days for us are ahead. The best is yet to come! Celebrating 50 years of providing dignity, health, joy & love through Hope 4 Kids International #Hope4Kids...

Who is your shepherd? Who tends to you when you are weak, lost, or in trouble? Ancient kings were in charge of their people this way. However, many kings wandered from this calling and brought judgement and calamity on themselves and their people. Connecting the old and new testament, Jesus is the "Lord our Righteous Savior." His arrival and reign is a mission of love and care for God's people. Christ the King is our shepherd! #ChristtheKing #messiahyl

How do we practice love in our lives? Do we limit love to the confines of our hearts and minds or do we extend it to our relationships, communities, and beyond. Uganda is one of many places where we demonstrate love through actions. We are surrounded by a world in need. Embody Christ by becoming the hands of feet of God. #beserving #giving #oceansoflove #messiahyl

God's provision is everlasting...proven, by example, in the old testament through care for widows and in the NT as Jesus demonstrates care for the poor, needy, and the downtrodden. Jesus is the new covenant that gifts us all grace, mercy, hope, and love everlasting. #DoLikewise #CareForOthers #messiahyl

Free people need guidelines, principles, and advice to live well. What posture is needed to hear the Lord? The Bible (old and new testaments) point to the answer: Jesus. Follow him with an extravagant, committed, undivided love including conscience, heart, essence, soul, and vitality (might or strength). When we strive this way, we can become a community orientated toward morally correct decision making, ethical values, and full of energy for life. #love #action #messiahyl

The Reformation was a pivotal moment in the protestant church. Even as an anniversary could commemorate what happened some time ago we take a moment today to once ago listen to the words of Jesus seeking wisdom and inspiration for our own journey into a more inclusive, compassionate, and grace-filled faith. #reformation #today #messiahyl

Jesus teaches us the many blessings of the acts of faithfulness. Invited to live aligned and trusting in Him, we find ourself on solid ground. In coastal California, we eyewitness how the wise build their house on a foundation of rock rather than sand. This concept is worldwide universal to building a faith and life on, and in, Jesus. #Beatitude #BuildYourHouse #OnTheRock #messiahyl

Would you be generous enough to share a french fry with someone who bought them for you? This simple story and analogy is a means for understanding our relationship to God—the provider of all things related to our life...including french fries. Generosity is a cheerful act of worship, thanksgiving, and love for God, our provider. #frenchfries #generousliving #messiahyl

Of course, you can choose to be anything you want!...choose truthful, compassionate, and merciful. Learning to live that way isn't an overnight transformation; rather a lifelong intention. Mercy "received" is the state of our condition. Thanks be to God for this grace!...and the reciprocal chance to show compassion to others. #ripple #mercyme #mercyyou #transformed #messiahyl

Are you living the good life?...experiencing the good life is found while learning to live by God's values. The kingdom of heaven is not just a place after death; it is also on earth when we do God's will. When we hunger and thirst for God's righteousness (wanting to have things right) we discover both our shortcomings and God's forgiveness. Aware of our blessings, we can operate similarly—offering blessing and grace to others. #TheGoodLife #Hungering #Thirsting #JesusSaves #messiahyl

What are you looking for in life? listening for in a leader? Is meekness top of list? Jesus wants us to question the prevailing cultural narrative that equates power and control with success. He wants us to realize there is an alternative to the pursuit of dominance and power, pride and arrogance. Jesus challenges to an alternative way of living. #DoHumble #ShowStrength #BeMore #messiahyl

The list of people who are blessed (poor in spirit, mourning, meek, insulted, persecuted, and lied about) seems opposite what our society and culture might call "blessed." Jesus teaching in the Sermon on the Mount seems UPSIDE DOWN. Thankfully, it is not contrary, but it takes a new worldview to see it (a lens of God's grace). #Blessed #Happy #Privileged #messiahyl

Celebrating 60 years of loving God and loving one another, we look forward to the future with hope! We will never change the world by going to church, we will only change the world by being the church. We must embrace a transformative mindset to adapt to the issues of today and serve others in meaningful and relevant ways. Despite a changing future, we can be steady—Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. May hope and love sustain us together. #60Years #AllAboutLove #LoveGod...

Striving to see things from a divine point of view helps us gain perspective. We can "get it" in one moment and then totally miss the bigger opportunity God is curating. We can get distracted easily by striving to win the game of life. What will it do to gain the whole world and lose your soul? Living generously for the benefit of others helps us become who we were made to be. #InChrist #YouHaveEnough #Relationships #GiveLove #messiahyl

Our society elevates toxic pride and self-sufficiency. The pull is substantial! Trusting in God is "easier said, than done." Casting our anxieties on the Lord is not a sign of weakness; rather, this act of acknowledging a need for help and receiving grace is the very practice that brings peace to our seeking soul. Embracing daily moments of stillness with God leads to greater freedom and awareness of God's provision for our needs. #NotAlone #GreaterFreedom #CastingAnxiety #messiahyl

Laughter is a beautiful and universal language that brings joy into our life. (Ecc 3:4) Our capacity to feel deeply and empathize with others is a gift from God...and the very nature of God. Holy humor is good medicine and balm for our souls. Laughter brings a shared camaraderie and we should practice it often! #HolyHumor #GiftOfLaughter #messiahyl

In a world crying out for transformation, the key is loving those who God loves—seeing every person as a fellow bearer of God's image—even those who personally oppose or align themselves against us or God. Radical grace received helps us stand in the gap and strive for alignment with God's moral imperative to love and allow redemptive power to flow through us. #OurJourneyTogetherIsShort #LoveYourEnemies #messiahyl

How open and aware are your eyes and heart for the needs of others? The Christian imperative is to live-out love for others. We are saved by a faith that integrates good works to serve Jesus. We serve Jesus by serving others...who are are one and the same! #Neighbors #LoveOverFear #messiahyl

Jesus demonstrated his love by giving His life for us. In the Good Samaritan parable, Jesus teaches us to love our neighbor as God loves us. But who is my neighbor? If you were down in the ditch, who would you not expect to help you out? If you were the one on the road, who would you be least likely to help? Focused on the good news, we realize God loves everyone, especially people we don't think deserve it. Everyone is welcome, even us! #WhoIsMyNeighbor? #messiahyl

When does eternity start and end? We often talk about eternal life as the time after we die. If eternity started before we did, we are living in eternity today. The big question is: "Are we living now in an eternal relationship with God?" Are we living God's values? They are "Love God, love others, love yourself"....but, importantly, I am third. #NotAboutMe #GodsHandywork #messiahyl

If Jesus were in our world today, what would He see? On a journey of faith, the bible's Phillip told Nathaniel: "Come and see!" Like us, Jesus accepts Nathaniel just as he his, where he is at, in his place of disbelieving doubt. See the world as Jesus does. Share this welcoming message with others. #ComeAndSee #messiahyl