CR at University Carillon

  Read Isaiah 53 https://www.biblegateway.com/ passage/?search=Isaiah%2053& version=NLT   Isaiah 53:10-11- But it was the Lord’s good plan to crush him and cause him grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have many descendants. He will enjoy a long life, and the Lord’s good plan will prosper in his hands. When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. And because of his experience, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins.   Unsurprisingly,  the early church read Isaiah 53 and immediately saw that Jesus fulfilled every word of Isaiah's prophecy here. In this picture of the "substitutionary atonement" that Jesus freely offered Himself in sacrificial love to redeem and save us, we see it wasn't an offering to an angry Father. Instead, it was a sacrifice revealing the full expression of of love and a willingness to make up the difference between the...

I want to share a little story, and a short video at the end, that I used to kick off the UC CR leaders at our monthly leadership meeting this past Saturday. I hope you find something in it, too... John Ortberg, in his book “Steps”…yep, those Steps…he’s a recovery guy, who in fact  has spoken at CR Summit in the past…in his book Steps John Ortberg tells a story of speaking with the great Pastor Dallas Willard about a lack of traction he was experiencing in leading his church. According to Ortberg, “I asked him what I needed to do to help our church experience greater levels of spiritual growth.” Long pause . . .Willard says, "You must arrange your days so that you’re experiencing deep contentment, joy, and confidence in your everyday life with God." Huh? "No," I corrected him.   "I wasn't asking about me.   I was asking about other people.   I was wondering what I need to make the church do.   I was thinking about a book everyone should read, or a pro...

If I could be so bold as to make a movie/documentary suggestion, "The Story of Everything" opens in theatres on April 30. It's based upon the works of one of my favorites, Stephen C. Meyer, who founded the Discovery Institute . He's written some great books, including: The God Hypothesis, Signature In The Cell, and Darwin's Doubt.  The Bio The Story of Everything is a cinematic exploration of the cosmos that reveals the hidden hand behind our universe. From the precise laws that govern the stars to the intricate patterns found in every living cell, the film traces evidence of intentional design throughout nature. Whether examining distant star-forming clouds or the spiral structure of DNA, we discover a consistent signature woven into the fabric of existence. 1 Peter 3:15 tells us,  “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have . But do this with gentleness an...

  Read Matthew 17 https://www.biblegateway.com/ passage/?search=Matthew%2017& version=NLT   Matthew 17:9, 14a- As they went back down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.” At the foot of the mountain, a large crowd was waiting for them.    Three of Jesus' closest disciples experienced an incredible and glorious sight in the transfiguration of Jesus; that is, the reality of who Jesus really was on the inside was shining through with amazing clarity on the outside. Peter suggested they stay there and build a memorial to capture the moment, but Jesus in and abundance of wisdom and grace once again ignored him. Jesus also instructed these disciples to hold this memory of transfiguration in their hearts and minds until after they experienced His resurrection. Soon they were all coming down the mountain together, and a crowd of people met them with their deepest needs.   Often times in God's...

  Read Acts 4 https://www.biblegateway.com/ passage/?search=acts+4& version=NLT   Acts 4:32-33- All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had. The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s great blessing was upon them all.    The growing Jesus movement, called the Way, was literally on the move. Peter, the one Jesus renamed "The Rock" before He denied even knowing Jesus three times the night before his friend went to His death on a cross, in this chapter featuring extensive confrontation from enemies boldly and fearlessly declared the Good News as clearly as he know how in front of the religious leaders: "There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.” When the religious leaders asked Peter and John to never speak of Jesus again, Peter was both gently bold and completely clear- they ha...