The Stairway to Heaven
Right now in our 2026 bible reading plan, we’re going through selected readings from the book of Genesis. The stories are all amazing. But they are also difficult. When we’re reading Genesis, we have to remember that we are reading literature from thousands of years ago from a totally different culture, worldview, language, and society – and – it’s literature that is written to be heard and pondered over repeatedly over the course of a lifetime. Just like following Jesus, It is
Thriving in Exile
Over the last four weeks at Central Youth, we were in a series called Aliens: Thriving in Exile. Below is a summary of the lessons looking at the stories of exile in Scripture and what that means for our lives today. There’s a pattern that runs through the entire story of Scripture, and once you see it, you start noticing it everywhere—including in your own life. Israel is trapped in Egypt, crying out for freedom. They want out; out of oppression, out
Blind Old Bartimaeus
In this morning’s men’s bible study, we discussed one of the stories we read for today’s bible reading plan: the story of blind Bartimaeus.It’s one of my favorite stories in Mark for two reasons.First, when I was interviewing for to be the pastor here at Central, I was asked to lead a bible study – and this is the story I chose to do. As I was reflecting on the story in preparation of that bible study, the ideas and message
Storms In and Out
A blog by Next Generation Pastor, Rebecca DeLucia Life has a way of throwing storms at us; some we can see and others we carry quietly inside. In Mark chapters 4 and 5, we encounter two powerful stories back-to-back that show us something essential about Jesus: He has unmatched authority over both external chaos and internal captivity. In Mark 4:35-41 Jesus and His disciples are crossing the Sea of Galilee when a violent storm erupts. Waves crash over the boat. Water fills it.
The Gift of God Within You
In both the women’s and men’s bible studies this week, we hit on the topic of gifts. By gifts, I don’t mean gifts we give people for Christmas, or birthday gifts, or anything like that: I mean the gifts (abilities) that God has given us for…well…what for? The ‘gifts’ that God has given us: what are they for? In the men’s bible study, we’re (slowly!) studying our way through First Corinthians, which has extensive discussion on gifts. Before I answer the main
Pray For Them…
It’s Wednesday, and yesterday was election day – but I am actually writing this to you on Monday (sorry to confuse you right off the bat!). On Tuesday, our reading in our bible reading plan happened to be a passage that is very fitting for election day. Look at what Paul writes in to Timothy in chapter 2 of his first letter: 1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, 2 for kings and
Seeing Clearly
As many of you know, last week, our middle son Eli had surgery to correct something that was wrong with his eyes. Everything went well, and he’s doing great, recovering quickly, and his vision is getting better day by day. I wanted to pause and, on behalf of myself, Amanda, and Eli (and Jonah and Zeke – who just had shoulder surgery too!), thank you for your love and care throughout his recovery (as well as Zeke’s!). Your prayers, offers
How Do You Smell Today?
I live right around the corner from La Rosa’s Pastry Shop – and it’s impossible to ignore. Now, I’m not much of a pastry or fancy dessert guy. But it’s impossible to ignore - not because I see it every day, and not because I shop there, and not because I crave pastry regularly. It’s impossible to ignore because of the aroma that it pumps into the air. It smells, in a word, delicious. I’d say every other day, I’ll walk out of
Imagine If…
In today’s Bible Reading plan we opened to Philippians 2, a chapter that challenges us to model Christ-like love and humility in our daily lives; our actions, attitudes, and activities “for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.” (Phil. 2:13) Imagine if we truly lived out of this belief, holding in our hearts and echoing out into the world through our actions the belief that God is at work in us according to his good
The Radiant Colors of Isaiah
On Sunday, we really got into our new series called “Jesus Is”, examining how the Gospel writers (Mark, in this case) want us to understand who Jesus is (hence the title!): as Messiah/Christ – and God in person - he is our King and Lord. I mentioned how the quote that Mark utilizes to point this out from Isaiah is in fact from Malachi, Exodus, and Isaiah…not just from Isaiah. So I wanted to say something more about that. Is Mark wrong here, or what?Kind of, but not