Growin' Up Gregory

"The Very Hungry Caterpillar" is one of the most read all-time classic children's books.  I don't really know this to be a fact...but it has lasted since I was a child until now reading it my children.  So with that being the case, I'd say that it is.  While our kids seem to enjoy the book, does it hold deeper life lessons that we can take away from it? If you recall the story, there was a caterpillar who had a hunger that could never be satisfied.  He crawled around eating anything he could find.  He ate healthy fruits like apples, pears, and strawberries.  But he also ate junk like cake, ice cream, and pie.  In his attempt to fulfill his desire, he was consuming everything in sight.  Many of us have gone through similar stages where we pursued the next girl, the next drink, the next high, or the next big deal.  But often, we found that it wasn't fulfilling and we still chased on to the "next" again. But one day, that all changed for the...

If I've ever had a lesson that the timing of it seemed perfect for the circumstances we're facing, this may be the one.  Here is a quote from this week's Sunday school lesson: "It is hard to know what to believe anymore.  The internet is filled with 'news' on topics that range from politics to medicine to conspiracies, and all the writers tout their stores as truth - even thought the 'facts' they present contradict each other." And to make matters more complicated, if someone doesn't have the facts to back up their story, they encourage us to simply 'take it on faith.'  Really? For Christians, faith in God is not jumping blindly into something we want to be true - like the latest and greatest business deal, or some near testing non FDA approved vaccine.  Faith is more than that.  It's grounded in a faithful God who can be fully trusted and is summed up very well in Hebrews 11. What is Faith? V1 - "Now faith is the real...

What gives you a rush?  Makes you feel alive?  Or if you're struggling right now, makes you feel like you can just make it through the day? For some of us, it's the excitement of an extreme sport, a cup of coffee, doing something we love, or the look on a loved one's face when they're filled with joy.  But for some struggling with substance abuse, it may be a drug.  It may be something you can purchase legally (like alcohol, tobacco, or marijuana in some states), something you are prescribed (like painkillers), or something purchased illegally. I believe that we have all had times where we felt like we needed a little 'pick me up,' a boost, or some liquid courage.  Life is hard, I get it.  Unfortunately, too many people try to endure the rigors of life by relying on alcohol and drugs.  This reliance can lead to drunkenness and addiction.  But God has a better plan for our lives, a different "substance" that should be our influence. Unpopul...

So many of use things on a daily basis and trust them to function properly even though we are completely clueless about how they work.  I know very little about internal combustion engines, but I trust my car to crank and drive me to town every day.  I know even less about amps, volts, and watts of electricity, but I know that if I flip the switch my lights should turn on.  And I don't understand how wireless technology and data is communicated, but I trust that if I send a text out that it will make to wherever in the world it is intended to go.  When the angel came to Mary, she likely didn't fully understand what was about to take place in her life either, but she trusted. Read Luke 1:26 - 38 Trust God's Grace and Presence By choosing Mary to be Jesus' mother, God had bestowed His grace on her.  Sometimes we certainly feel like our calling or purpose in life is nowhere near as significant as Mary's.  And sadly, it isn't since the Savior is alre...

Some may already know, but for those who don't, I've been teaching Sunday school for a little over a year or so I guess.  After starting out in your Young (and I use that term loosely lol) Adult class, Britt and I have started focusing more on the truly young adults - the College & Career Class with 20 and 30 somethings. I'd be lying if I said that every week was easy.  It's not.  But every week is worth it.  Some weeks, I hope the class gets the most out of the lesson.  But other weeks, I know that the lesson was for me and something I've been dealing with.  Long story short, it's hard showing up week in week out prepared to teach and hopefully inspire, but when you're seeking God's will (as Jordan pointed out this morning) it doesn't matter if it's easy - you do what you've been called to do. In this social media world, we always share our success, our cute pictures, and our wins, but what are my biggest struggles teaching? 1.  Ma...

Many of us (and with literally billions of users, don't act like you're not in this group) use social media on a regular basis to post, look at, or like pictures of ourselves, our friends, our pets, our kids, or any random object we find amusing at the moment.  With the movement of posting pictures of oneself becoming so popular that we've even gotten a new word from it, selfie.  But how does this selfie mentality fit into one's Christian walk?  One writer shared this, "The scene of someone being on their knees before God may be one of the only selfies that can convey humility." It's hard to only talk about me, me, me, and still be focused on God, God, God.  Shifting away from this selfie culture toward surrendering to God's will is necessary for spiritual growth.  We rarely think of the word surrender in any positive light.  But when it comes to surrendering to God's will in our life, it is vital. The Point:  Approach prayer with humble ...

In our College & Career Sunday school class this week, we started a series titled, "How to Pray."  I plan to try to and share the lessons each week in case anyone wants to follow along with us here...or you can come join us Sunday mornings at Tabernacle at 10 AM in room 218. Any good speaker, teacher, or presenter knows that the #1 rule of public speaking is to know your audience.  You don't want to prepare a discussion about retirement for preschoolers and a presentation themed with Disney princesses most likely wouldn't spark the interest of a group of businessmen.  In order for someone to prepare a dynamic and engaging presentation, they must know their audience, who they're preparing to talk to. The same is true in our prayer life.  The Point of this week's study is: "A right view of God fuels how we pray."  The conversations we engage in with our friends about are often focused on topics that interest them: their favorite team, favorite ...

It was a good thing that the church at Thessalonica was strongly rooted in its faith in God.  Its founder and leader, Paul, had been run out of town by mobs and attacks leaving this new church with new believers to wade through its early days without its top leadership.  If you want further proof that God does things bigger than us, consider how many businesses would survive, let along thrive, if you removed their CEO shortly after their organization.  But that's exactly what was happening here. Read 1 Thessalonians 1:4-6 Just like the early Thessalonian church, our foundation should be built on the salvation that we have through faith in Christ.  Having that confidence, we should be filled with an authentic joy that spills over into all of our actions and emotions.  So what does authentic joy look like? "Authentic joy is deeper than emotion."  Our joy must come from somewhere.  Remember my earlier statement that true joy isn't manufactured from ...

Working at a bank, we occasionally have counterfeit money that comes in.  Some of it looks and feels very much like real money.  With its color, size, and feel, it's understandable how it passed initial inspection by a cashier. However, some of it barely looks better than Monopoly money and really leaves you wondering what the cashier was thinking when they accepted it.  But no matter how good the counterfeit, eventually, it is found out to be fake.  "Inauthenticity will always be revealed - even when it's in a Christian's attitude.  We can tell the difference between a fake smile or handshake and genuine joy and compassion.  This joy cannot be manufactured, but we can be filled with it when we are filled with the love and truth of Jesus Christ. Read:  1 Thessalonians 1:1-3 Paul and his companions begin these verses by sharing how thankful they are for three very specific traits of the early members of the church at Thessalonica. First, is that t...

1 Peter 4:10-11 - "Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve others, as good stewards of the varied grace of God.  If anyone speaks, let it be as one who speaks God's word; if anyone serves, let it be from the strength God provides, so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ in everything.  To him be the glory and the power forever and ever.  Amen." God gives His children spiritual gifts, not for our sake, but for the sake of building up others.  He has given us all various gifts that we need in our services for Him.  Peter calls on each of us to be good stewards of the spiritual gifts that we have been given.  As a steward, we know that our duty is to manage the concerns of someone else.  That is to say that believers offer God service from the gifts that He has given to us.  We are stewards of His provision, not owners.  Those who spoke were to recognize that they were representing God's words and not their own opinions...

Part 1 of Showing Hospitality was shared yesterday if you want to read it first.  Otherwise, jump on in here. 1 Peter 4:8-9 - "Above all, maintain constant love for one another, since love covers a multitude of sins.  Be hospitable to one another without complaining." Love is not a feeling; it's a deep commitment for another's good that is shown through action.  The word translated "love" designates a decision of the will rather than an emotion.  Biblical love is often characterized by self-denying commitment.  Love covers a multitude of sins because of its readiness to forgive and its ability to breakdown walls of hostility and bring reconciliation. Like love (our highest command) hospitality is not a suggestion.  The above verse reads, "Be hospitable to one another."  It didn't offer an option of when convenient, when you feel like, when you want to - we are commanded to show hospitality.  But hospitality is more than a few simple acts,...

The City of Union is affectionately known as "The City of Hospitality."  But what does being hospitable really look like?  Hospitality is nothing new, and being hospitable is certainly a spiritual characteristic - actually a command that Christians must embrace as we welcome those coming to faith in Christ.  Our graciousness and hospitality to those outside our circle is what attracts people to the gospel that we profess.  So what does all this mean?  "Ground your service and love in hospitality." 1 Peter 4:7 - "The end of all things is near; therefore, be alert and sober-minded for prayer." First, let's look at where Peter is coming from with his declaration that "the end of all things is near" so that no one has the idea that he was some sort of crazy end times prophet kind of guy and to protect his credibility since he wrote this letter nearly 2,000 years ago.  Peter shared later in his writings (2 Peter 3:8) that the Lord's timeta...

I wasn't real sure how to recap nearly one full year of officially being a Sunday school teacher so below is my best attempt to do so in an open letter to those below... To my class, my community, and my generation: When I asked a year or so ago about starting up a College & Career Sunday School class at church I wasn't sure how to react.  I was honored to have been considered for this role (honestly a little too honored becoming somewhat prideful and overly expectant of what would happen).  I was also excited for the opportunity to reach a group of people that has become more and more scarce in church, and even a little scared of what would happen if the class failed (or more so how I would be judged if that happened while I'm being honest here).  It was truly a gamete of mixed emotions of both hope, excitement, and fear. I tried a few ideas my way through online invites and even trying to meet in a different room and area of the church to possibly seem more in...

This the second part of Dealing with Disaster with our model of how to respond to crisis that is shown in 2 Samuel 21:1-14.  (vs 4-6 here) We saw in Part 1 that when David faced a crisis, he first inquired of God, and then he inquired of the people who had been wronged.  He wanted to know how he could possibly make up for the prior wrongdoings to them and atone for the actions of his predecessor. In a request that would be considered shocking by most standards today, the Gibeonites did not ask for "silver and gold."  Money and financial reimbursements would not take away the pain their people had experienced.  They requested that seven of Saul's male descendants be turned over to them and hanged in the presence of the Lord.  While it is pretty easy to assume that Saul's attempted genocide of the people resulted in much more than seven deaths, we can assume that there was some symbolism here.  And this is certainly not a method of reconciliation that is ...

When we hear stories of natural disasters such as tsunamis, earthquakes, floods, and the raging forest fires taking place now in California, our minds tend to wonder what is these people may have done to deserve this type of judgment.  But we must remember that natural disasters and other hardships are merely a part of living in a fallen world.  One of the most recorded natural calamities in Bible is famine.  Lifeway offers this on famine, "While not always the result of divine judgment on sin, at times it did indicate the Lord's displeasure with something in the experience of His people, Israel."  And as they continued, "The purpose (of famine) was always to lead them back to Him and to seek His favor." So how do we deal with crises?  What do we do when disaster strikes?  We see a good model set for us in 2 Samuel 21:1-14.  (vs 1-3 here) After experiencing three consecutive years of famine, King David did what any wise man should do - he "inquired...

Most of us probably did this when we younger before reality seemed to set in and life got hard.  But let's step back from today's tough reality and take a few minutes to dream.  Imagine this situation:  You've just been reminded of your many great accomplishments and victories in life, all the obstacles you've overcome and the battles you've won.  You're the CEO of your business or the king of your empire, well respected in all that you do.  You have a home where you and your family can live comfortably.  And you have rest or peace, physically from enemies, as well as mentally and emotionally.  Then to top it all off, you've been assured that your children will have a good life and your legacy will be one of great respect.  Nice day, huh.   Well that's precisely the situation that David found himself in in 2 Samuel 7.  He was the undisputed king of Israel, he had begun building a great palace, planned to build a temple, and was cons...

During my recent study of Moses, there were two very profound revelations that I felt spoke directly to me, two things I gathered that gave great cause for self-examination in my life. The first came as we see Moses' excuses for why he can't be used by God.  Moses witnessed miraculous signs, even participating in them, and heard the audible voice of God with very clear instruction.  Yet even with God's reassurances, Moses felt unqualified, unworthy, and sadly unwilling to respond to God's call. I was the complete opposite many times and this pointed out a glaring sin of pride in my life.  Any time I have been asked to speak, share, do a devotion, or anything like that; and any time someone has ever told me they enjoy anything I write, I have felt a feeling of pride, of accomplishment, of self-satisfaction.  I have at times allowed myself to think that I had any ability or skill outside of what God gave to me, outside of what He enabled me to do....

We have seen through the last couple posts that God has called Moses to do something that seems much too difficult for him to accomplish.  Read Parts 1 and 2 if you haven't already as they pretty much intro this post. Prior to picking up with Moses' next excuse, God gave him several signs in Exodus 4:1-9.  He turned Moses' staff into a serpent, then back to a staff; turned Moses' hand leprous by placing it into his cloak then restoring it in the same manner; then told Moses that if the people would not listen and believe these signs that he could take water from the Nile and pour it on the ground and it would become blood. Yet after not only witnessing, but performing these miraculous signs through God, Moses continues with the excuses.  In Exodus 4:10, Moses says to the Lord, "I am not eloquent...I am slow of speech and of tongue."  God responds to Moses by asking, "Who has made man's mouth?  Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind?  Is ...

When God called Moses to take on the task of leading His people out of Egypt, Moses began giving God excuses, questioning himself and the Lord.  We often begin to find excuses as to why we can't do something that seems to challenging or isn't our greatest passion.  And just as God did with Moses, He answers our questions and concerns today. The first question Moses posed to God in Exodus 3:11 was, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?"  God's answer to Moses had nothing to do with Moses' skills.  God simply said, "I will be with you."  The answer to Moses' question of 'Why me?' was more dependent on God's presence for its power than on the abilities of Moses.  God still works that way in people today.  He doesn't choose the greatest and mightiest to use.  God uses regular ordinary people to show His greatness, not ours.  As long as God is with you, you can do it, you can get through...

It seems like for the past few weeks all we've heard about has been storms.  The United States has been hit hard by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma and meteorologists are currently watching Jose to see what it's going to do.  These storms have caused many deaths and a tremendous amount of damage.  People have been glued to computers, phones, and the news to check on the both the anticipated track of these storms and the aftermath that they have left behind.  These storms are somewhat like our lives as it has been said that there are two kinds of people in this world; those in a storm, and those heading into a storm. In Exodus 2:23-25, there was a group of people, the Israelites, who had been being oppressed by the Egyptian king for many days.  When he died, they groaned and cried out for help.  Their cry to help came up to God.  And He heard their groaning and remembered his promise to them. Why were the Israelites, God's chosen people, being left to l...