There’s more than one way to refer to and relate to a church. Consider these three perspectives. That church. “Yes, I’ve heard about that church,” a person might say. “I’ve heard that church has great ministries for children and students. I’ve heard that church is really committed to missions. I’ve heard that church has spirit-anointed musical worship and solid biblical teaching.” But have you ever been there? Have you ever checked it out and experienced...
Fact #1: The recent spike in Covid-19 cases is receding rapidly across our state and in our region according to data from the Georgia Department of Public Health (check out the data here). Fact #2: More of us have immunity to Covid-19 now than ever before through natural immunity (having been previously infected with the disease) or through vaccine-induced immunity. The overall population level immunity in Georgia is estimated to be at 84% and in the entire country at 89% (see the graph...
To be a disciple of Jesus is to be a fully-devoted follower of Christ. Though each of our discipleship journeys will be unique, there are some common steps along every disciple’s path. At Ingleside, we describe the main movements of every genuine discipleship journey in four biblical words. ...... Come – The journey begins when we respond in repentance and faith to the call of the Lord through the gospel. Jesus said, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I...
Are you a member at Ingleside yet? If not, I hope you will make plans now to be in our adult membership class on Sunday, February 6, at 4:00 p.m. (the class for children and students is at 12:15 p.m.). Here are five good reasons to take this important step. First, membership—both the word and the concept—is biblical. 1 Corinthians 12:27 says: “Now you are the body of Christ, and individually members of it” (ESV). God expects those who follow Christ to be members of his...
I’ve been thinking a good bit about snowflakes recently. Perhaps its because it’s winter, and in the deep south even the slightest mention of wintry precipitation causes the pulse to quicken and a run to occur on essentials at the grocery. So rare is a bona fide snowfall in our part of the world that some pile the kids in the car and head to the mountains of North Georgia, Tennessee, or North Carolina for an afternoon of frolicking in the white stuff when snow is forecast within a...
As we approach the beginning of the New Year, I’m praying that our Heavenly Father would pour out his abundant favor and blessing on you, your family, and our church family in 2022. Specifically, I’m praying the truths of Psalm 84:11, Philippians 1:9-11, James 1:2-4, and 3 John 2. ... Psalm 84:11 says: “For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly” (ESV). Philippians 1:9-11 says:...
I’m praying the Father’s favor for you and your family on this Thanksgiving Day! It’s a great day to say out loud or to write down on paper the blessings for which we are thankful. It’s good for us and it honors God when we acknowledge that every good gift we have comes from the hand of our Heavenly Father (cf. James 1:17). As Beverly and I count our blessings, we are especially thankful for you and your partnership in the gospel (cf. Philippians 1:3-5). The fellowship we...
Grow in self-control. Understand the Bible more clearly. Be a better parent. Be a better spouse. Discern God’s will for my life. More effectively lead. Handle conflict more graciously. Pray confidently. Share the gospel clearly. Don’t we all have a spiritual “wish I could” list? Perhaps it’s not written down. But at the very least, our mind conjures up ways we deem ourselves deficient every day. If we are honest, that list can get awfully long. Some of us let it get us down....
For more than thirty years, Ingleside has been a remarkably united church. Across those three decades, we have learned some important truths about our unity – some of which I am recounting in this series of articles. In earlier installments (read them all here), I have addressed (1) why we should talk about this topic now; (2) how unity is both a gift and a goal; (3) seven dimensions of our spiritual unity; (4) how we are united by what we believe – our doctrinal unity; and (5) how...
For more than thirty years, Ingleside has been a remarkably united church. Across those two decades, we have learned some important truths about our unity – some of which I am recounting in this series of articles. In part 1 of this series, I offered three answers to the question of why we should talk about this topic now. Part 2 focused on the fact that the Bible says that our unity is both a gift and a goal. Part 3 looked at seven dimensions of our spiritual unity. Last week...
