Sacred Selfie: One With Christ, January 6, 2019
We kicked off a brand new teaching series at The Hills Church called, Sacred Selfie. In this series, we are reflecting on what we see when we look at our own selfies. When you look at your own image, what do you see? If you’re like most people, you see things that need fixed. You … [Read more…]
I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
If you’re not feeling the Christmas spirit this year, no matter the reason, I encourage you to read this poem and consider its writing. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow endured greater tragedy and suffering than many of us will ever know. His wife burned to death and he was seriously injured as he attempted to save her life. … [Read more…]
Tom Talks: Straight Outta Context, “Love Never Fails”
In this talk, I wrestle with the popular passage often read during weddings, 1 Corinthians 13, often called the love chapter. If Paul’s famous description of love is true, why does it often feel far less perfect than he describes it? This message was also delivered on the day following the worst anti-semitic attack in … [Read more…]
Tom Talks: Straight Outta Context, “I Know the Plans I Have for You…”
In this message, I unveil the full story surrounding the ever famous passage of scripture, Jeremiah 29:11. “For I know the plans I have for you” may be scribed with tasty icing on countless cakes celebrating graduations, promotions, raises, and other exciting occasions, but the true context and original meaning of these ancient words wasn’t … [Read more…]
Four Frames. A Reflection.
I have this little nook on the third floor of my house that’s my own personal workspace. In the nook is a desk that sits beneath a couple of large windows that overlook the front of my house and give me a bit of bird’s eye view of my neighborhood. I love the space but … [Read more…]
Tom Talks: Straight Outta Context, “God Never Gives More Than You Can Handle”
Whenever we go through tough times, inevitably someone will seek to encourage you by saying, “God never gives us more than we can handle.” Sounds like scripture, right? Sounds true, right? Wrong. In this fourth installment of “Straight Outta Context” I tackle this popular misquote and set the record straight about whether or not you’ll … [Read more…]
Tom Talks: Straight Outta Context, “Judge Not.”
John 3:16 is the most FAMOUS passage of scripture but Matthew 7:1 certainly holds the title of the most INFAMOUS passage. Used as a “get out of jail” free card as well as justification for never pursuing a lifestyle of accountability, “judge not yet, lest ye be judged” is one of the most abused and … [Read more…]
Tom Talks: Straight Outta Context, “God and the Government”
Government leaders and politicians throughout history have used Romans 13 to justify unpopular, immoral, and, sometimes, horrendous government programs, laws, and atrocities. What exactly did Paul mean when he declared that the governing authorities are established by God? In this message, I explore the true context of Romans 13 in search of what God truly … [Read more…]