Who Would You Invite to Dinner?

I was listening to this interview of one of my favorite nonfiction authors, and he briefly mentioned a favorite party game of mine, Who Would You Invite To Dinner? I love these sorts of games because they really help me get to know a room of people without having to deal with the awkwardness of questions or small talk.

We adults often like racking our brains with exotic lists in situations like this. But do you know who children choose? They overwhelmingly say, "I would wa

Can you believe Jesus calls you this?

A snippet of truth that speaks volumes.

In this short reflection, Pastor Beau shares a powerful insight from Scripture that might just change the way you see your relationship with Jesus. It’s short, it’s encouraging, and it’s something every heart needs to hear.

Just a few minutes—just enough to shift your perspective today.

Dreams - Part 2

Hello dreamers. I'm praying dreaming increased after the first post God gave me for our group back in February (posted here 3/1/25). I'm praying your dream life and night visions increase, along with your understanding, as you follow along with whatever God is doing here. 

What I'm hearing for today is that God is highlighting numbers. I'm certain some of  you have “a number” that pops up over and over again in some seasons, or through your life, and it has meaning to you.

Not By Power

NOT BY POWER, NOT BY MIGHT

BUT BY MY SPIRIT SAYS THE LORD

I was watching the air show, Wings Over Pittsburgh, the jets and other aircraft fly. Skill, speed, and power. The sound not only deafens the ear but causes even your inward parts to tremble. This display of acrobatic – air – awe caused me to lift my hands and shout as they flew overhead in a speed that was hard to follow. These machines, one by one, demonstrated their uniqueness, flaunted their grandeur with pride an

I'm Angry At God, So Now What?

There's a part of me that's angry. And this part of myself is especially angry at God. Can I say that? Am I even allowed?

I think I am.

As Christians, we should be the first ones to be honest and admit this to others and the world at large during certain seasons of our lives. But it's not easy, is it, especially in our Christian circles to do so. It feels like we are breaking some unspoken rule. Like how you should never root against your father's favorite football team on

He's speaking, so listen up!! To the words of life and love

I want to share something that God spoke to me the other day. I was laying in bed before church talking to the Lord, and I asked Him about some things I was feeling in my body, physically. Anyone who deals with pain knows that when it continues despite praying, homeopathic remedies, or medicine (God can and will use it all, just sayin'),  it can be very discouraging and even depressing at times. You pray and pray and it doesn't go away. I asked Him, "Lord, why?" and I hea

Set Your Sights Above

Colossians 3:2 NLT

Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.

I am a Gen-Xer (people born between 1965 and 1980), and our generation had A LOT of cool toys. One of them is the View-Master. It was a camera-looking thing that you put little round discs with picture slides in and with each press of the lever you could see another frame of the story. It was a really fun toy. One morning as I was waking up, God was really speaking to me about that. Things happen

Dreams - Part 1

Hello family. God seems to be prompting me to do a few posts on dreams. Like everything with God, the most important thing about dreams from God (or otherwise) is to deepen our relationships with Him. Having experienced quite an interesting dream life over many years, it was such a blessing to learn a bit about how to handle them. So I'll attempt to share some helpful hints for anyone interested.

Are all dreams God-breathed? I don't believe so. Can we glean from "other" dr

The Jesus I Create

In the Gospels, there is this poignant scene where Jesus asks the disciples, "Who do you think I am?" Of course, we all know this story quite well. Peter, in a flash of divine inspiration, replies, "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God." This is, of course, the correct and most wonderful of responses. And it strikes me as quite poignant that even after all the disciples had witnessed at this juncture, only one out of the twelve responded with this affirmation abo

I can't give You rest because You are my rest

I can't give You rest because You are my rest.

I couldn't offer You favor because I found my favor in You.

I have no peace to give You because my peace comes when You pour it over me like oil.

I can't give You healing because I have never received one stripe.

I can't give You joy because without You I have none to offer. 

I have no strength to provide You because You are my strength. And what good would one man's strength be to you anyways...?

I can't give You riches because th

Prayer

"The Lord's prayer," is something we as Christians have heard and often recited repeatedly in our walk of faith. I don't know why they call it the Lord's prayer, when we know from the Scriptures this is the model the Lord used to teach His disciples about prayer. Some call it the "Our Father." Regardless of its title, this prayer is central to the Christian faith.

For most of my life when praying this prayer, it became a little more of something I memorized and spewed back

Turn on the Light!

*Gray and cloudy days.

*The end of another year.

*Feelings of sadness from reflecting on the prayers that have not been answered or the circumstances that haven't changed.

*Facing a new year with the same old challenges.

I hesitated to submit this and didn't even pick up my pen to write until now. After hearing a testimony/exhortation about loving God more than _____ (you fill in the blank) and reading Jordan's excellent, honest words, I thought, just do it!

Waking up a couple

I Don't Love Jesus That Much

In Matthew 19:16-22, Jesus meets a young ruler. I'm sure you know the story. The rich young ruler is a righteous and very wealthy man. He asks Jesus about what he can do to gain eternal life. Jesus gives Him two commands. Firstly, love the Lord your God, and secondly, love your neighbor as yourself.

This pleased the young man immensely. He eagerly responds by saying that he has done all these things since he was a small boy. Jesus then, in verse 21, states, "If you want to

Alignment: READY. AIM. FIRE!

A Declaration from Sunday Morning Service, 1/5/2025 at AJF

Heavenly Father, Loving Creator, the Lover of my soul, as I step into this new year, let me turn my heart to You in deep trust, surrender, and love.

Give me wisdom to recognize Your presence within me, the strength to align my actions with Your will, and the faith to trust Your plan.

Help me release fear and doubt and walk boldly in the light of my purpose. I want to be a vessel of Your grace, bringing peace, joy, li

Lay Your Weapons Down

There is a verse, a wee little one in the gospels, that isn't particularly cool or charismatic enough for a bumper sticker/throw pillow. I think it is super under-appreciated in today's Christianity. Any guesses? I'll give you a hint. 

It's in the Gospel of John. Nope, not John 3:16, the most wonderful verse of all time. No, the passage I want to discuss with you is way more obscure and obtuse than that particular one. The verse is John 18:11.

Do you know it? If not, it's o