“Accountability” is a common saying in the church world, and for many people it is a dirty word. I believe we view it negatively because deep down we view God as an angry judge who is generally disappointed in us. This past year, I have grown to view accountability differently - and now see it as such a gift! Let me explain...Michelle and I have always been passionate about fitness, but the older ...  Read More

When reading the story of Joseph, God’s favor on his life is evident. Let’s look!In Genesis 37, we learn that Joseph was favored by his father Jacob, who gave him a coat of many colors. When his brothers noticed that their father favored Joseph, they became jealous. Joseph’s brothers were so jealous that they ambushed him and sold him to traders coming by.Joseph was then sold to an important man n...  Read More

“For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him...” (2 Chronicles 16:9)In Genesis 39, we see the integrity of Joseph on full display. After being sold by his brothers, Joseph ends up serving under one of Pharaoh’s officials named Potiphar. Joseph was clearly a hard worker and a great leader. He possessed a lot of exceptional qualitie...  Read More

This chapter brings us back into the roller coaster ride of Joseph’s life. In verses 7-12, he gives a masterclass in confronting, resisting, and fleeing temptation. Today we will focus on Joseph’s rhetorical question to Potiphar’s wife in verse 9: “How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?”Joseph recognized that to give in to sin in this way would be “great wickedness.” He did n...  Read More

Rejection, at its core, is a feeling of being unwelcome by the people we long to be with. They consent to our presence, but we feel our presence at best is a burden and at worst unwanted. This causes an emotional pain much like physical pain. But the difference is, left unhealed, emotional pain can be re-lived and re-experienced much more vividly over the years of our lives.When my daughter Jessic...  Read More

At Heritage we try to take attendance once per semester to know who is involved in each small group. We realize that attendance-taking is a little tedious and maybe inconvenient, but it means so much to our efforts to know who in our church is connected and cared for. As some pastors like to say, “we count people because people count”. You should receive a link to provide your group names, and we ...  Read More

We now reach a part of the Joseph story that takes a very odd turn. In fact, the next chapter in the story doesn’t even mention Joseph. Instead, we read about his brother, Judah - the one who proposed selling Joseph into slavery. And it gets really messy - one of those chapters in the Bible that would be Rated R if portrayed on the big screen.Judah’s family life takes a very dark and destructive t...  Read More

Have you ever told a “little white lie”? Well, actually there is no such thing as a “little white lie” because all lying is sin and all sin is a big deal to the heart of God because of its destructive nature toward mankind. Lying to each other disrupts unity by creating conflict and destroying trust, which ultimately tears down relationships. So, it is easy for us to see why the Lord says in Prove...  Read More

“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?... You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”  (Matthew 7: 3,5)How many times have we fallen into this trap? In Genesis 38, we have an inside look at Judah as he struggles with the same issue. How...  Read More

Have you ever found yourself staring at a multi-colored, messy picture, trying to find that kid wearing the red hat and striped shirt? Before you realize it, you have spent countless minutes searching through all the distractions that look like Waldo, only to find, there he is! He was right in front of your face, smiling, just waiting to be found. Eureka!Oftentimes I found myself searching through...  Read More

Joseph was known in the Bible as a man who was steadfast and faithful under trials. His older brothers were another story! One brother, Judah, refused to follow a law of God in regard to his son’s wife, Tamar. What happened as a result of his disobedience made quite an illicit tale. Twin sons were born to Judah and Tamar. You can read about it in Genesis 38.Certainly the Bible teaches us that ever...  Read More

Compassion and generosity breaks down walls. Is there a way you could bless your group members this week to show them they matter to you? It could be as simple as a phone call, text, or note to let them know you are thinking of them and praying for them. • Is there anything (habit, relationship, mindset) God is currently leading you to move away from? Is there anything He is leading you to move to...  Read More