jasonlautzenheiser

The year that the church left the building

Happy New Year everyone! Here we are again at a new year and I know many of you may be happy to see 2020 in the rear view mirror. We are all hoping that 2021 is a better year, but remember we move just one day at a time. And each and every day isContinue reading “The year that the church left the building”

Wonderful Impossibility

Celebrating this Christmas season remembering the birth of Jesus, I want to think just about the impossibility of the whole thing. First we have Mary, a virgin, probably a young teenager whom conceives the son of God. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. YouContinue reading “Wonderful Impossibility”

Who do you say I am?

Maybe one of the most important questions we face as Christians comes from Mark 8:29 where it reads; He asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Messiah.” -Mark 8:29 Jesus was with the disciples near the northern city of Caesarea Philippi. Jesus first asked them, “WhoContinue reading “Who do you say I am?”

Our God

When thinking about the attributes of our God, I tend to put him in a box. Put limits on what he can and can’t do. I forget sometimes, what it means to be the creator of the universe. I know all the Biblical stories. Jesus turning water into wine, the healings, the raising of theContinue reading “Our God”

It’s not what you do, it who you do it for

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. -Colossians 3:23-24 It’s not what you do, it who you do it for.Continue reading “It’s not what you do, it who you do it for”

Every Day is a Blessing

This past weekend I turned 50. That sounds like an incredibly long time, yet it flew by so fast. So often we take each day for granted. When we do that, we will often miss the beauty that each day brings. I’m writing this right now, sitting on my front porch listening to the windContinue reading “Every Day is a Blessing”

Small Groups in This New Pandemic World

So by now, a large part of the country (if not the world) is in some sort of lock-down or stay-at-home order from their local government. One place that has been greatly impacted is your local church. Most have closed, on their own accord, to weekend gatherings. Smaller churches may have even shut their doorsContinue reading “Small Groups in This New Pandemic World”

God is Still Moving

So here we are in the midst of this pandemic. Here in Ohio schools are closed, non-essential businesses are either closed or their employees are working from home, and the state has requested that we all stay at home if at all possible. Tough times indeed. I want to take this forum to highlight theContinue reading “God is Still Moving”

Right There With Us

Reading a devotional the other day, one of the verses was Isaiah 41:13; For I the LORD your God will hold your right hand, saying to you, Fear not; I will help you. As I reflected on it over the last couple days, I realize that the verse is so packed with meaning and soContinue reading “Right There With Us”

Into the Fire

We’ve all gone through those times when we feel like we are “in the fire.” Some trouble or hardship that overwhelms us and brings us to our knees. It can shake our faith and sometimes we can feel like things are hopeless. We can cry out to God asking, “Why am I going through this?”Continue reading “Into the Fire”