And in Him, I Am Alive

The sky turned dark. And rocks split open.

It must have felt as though all hope was lost when the earth itself trembled as Christ took His last breath.

But this was not a cry of despair. Instead, creation shouted in victory. Hope had won, and Love conquered death. Jesus, the son of God, rose from the grave.

Sin was overwhelmed by the ultimate sacrifice. Our ransom was paid in His blood.

The wage of sin is death, but by the grace of God, a promise of eternal life has been made. And the only payment due is surrender; reliance.

"Now this is eternal life - that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you sent." John 17:3

I should always live in gratitude of this, but today, Easter day, my heart wells over. Despite my pursuit of life amongst all that is dead, He has risen. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is the truest source of life, and He has paid the ultimate price.

And in Him, I am alive.

Branches: Beautiful Things

Today marks the end of a chapter we've known as The Branches Church, and if just one picture says a thousand words, then this chapter has been something incredible. From snapshots of sermons and worship services to photographs of friends and family loving one another well, thousands of illustrations bring this story to life. 

Naturally, the end of something so lovely brings sadness; yet there is anticipation for the journey ahead. God is a good author, and just as this chapter has, the next will certainly be full of beautiful things. 

No words can express what a blessing it has been to be written into this story alongside such wonderful people, all by a sovereign God who draws us more near to Him page by page.

Sorting through these through these thousands of pictures has taken many hours of deliberation over the course of the last few weeks. Each one represents a memory so distinct; how can this rich season of life be captured in just a short montage? 

The answer is... it can't.  

More than just an abbreviated summary of the last six years, this 5 minute and 47 second video is a token of gratitude; an expression of deep thanksgiving to God for this chapter and all of the beautiful things He has included in it.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." -John 15:5

the branches

by grace

Be free. Own the gospel.

Sin is a pit. Dark and deep. Easy to fall into. Hard to crawl out of. And I have this theory...

Shame can become a ball and chain, making it even more difficult to climb out of that darkness and to feel the warmth of mercy again...

We're forgiven. But if you're like me, that's hard to accept. Hard to own. Shame looms over my head like a cloud sometimes. It's not so much a thought process. Not so much  a series of regrets. It's more of an emotion. An awareness of my own depravity. My sin. That ball and chain.

Shame. Shame is abused by the enemy as a way of tethering us to the very world we've been set free from. Shame is the shadow that obscures our sight of the miracle of God's grace.

Recognize the true purpose of shame. Recognize it as a red flag to confess and repent. Then accept His forgiveness as the gift that it is. Rejoice in it. Rejoice and be free. Testify to His glory. Own the gospel. 

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1John 1:9

“As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.” Psalm 103:12

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

"For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He gave up His only Son, so that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16
"Do not be afraid; you will not suffer shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated. You will forget the shame of your youth and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood." Isaiah 54:4

light of the world