Jason Vana: Becoming a Better Man

New Creations →

Photo Credit: David Goehring (Creative Commons)

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”
2 Corinthians 5:17

Each new year brings with it the idea of a new start.

It’s why we make resolutions, look forward to the new year, and celebrate its arrival.

The new year brings hope.
Renewal of dreams.
The promise that things can be different. Better.

It doesn’t matter what happened the year before, the mistakes we made, the relationships we gave up on, the sins we committed.

The new year is a clean slate.
A do-over.

The same is true when we come to Christ.

Read more and join the conversation!

Be the Change →

Photo Credit: Matthew Fern (Creative Commons)

“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.”
1 Corinthians 12:27

It can be easy at times to point out the flaws in our church or ministry group.
It’s not too difficult to realize something is broken.

Attend a single church for long enough, be a part of a small group or college ministry, and you’re bound to find areas that need improvement.

Worship isn’t as passionate as it could be.
The discussions aren’t as lively.
The preaching isn’t as powerful.
The community isn’t as welcoming.
Offering could be done differently.
Followup with new believers could be better.
Inviting others to come could be built up more.
Prayer isn’t as powerful, outreach not working, and the giving - the giving is never where it could be.

All of us could easily point out something we’d like to see changed.
But most of us don’t want to do anything about it.

Read more and join the conversation!

Be the Change →

Photo Credit: Matthew Fern (Creative Commons)

“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.”
1 Corinthians 12:27

It can be easy at times to point out the flaws in our church or ministry group.
It’s not too difficult to realize something is broken.

Attend a single church for long enough, be a part of a small group or college ministry, and you’re bound to find areas that need improvement.

Worship isn’t as passionate as it could be.
The discussions aren’t as lively.
The preaching isn’t as powerful.
The community isn’t as welcoming.
Offering could be done differently.
Followup with new believers could be better.
Inviting others to come could be built up more.
Prayer isn’t as powerful, outreach not working, and the giving - the giving is never where it could be.

All of us could easily point out something we’d like to see changed.
But most of us don’t want to do anything about it.

Read more and join the conversation!

Resourcing Hope →

As followers of Christ, as the church, we’ve been charged with bringing hope into this world.

We are charged with sharing the good news of Christ’s redemptive power in every aspect of life.
We’re called to take care of the widow, the orphan and the alien (those who do not belong).
We’re commanded to make disciples, not converts, in all the world.
We’re told to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, tend to the sick and visit those in prison.
We’re commanded to assist the poor, downtrodden and distressed.

It’s not an easy command.

Following Christ will take all we have.
Our time.
Our energy.
Our plans and desires.
Our assets, resources and, hardest of all, our money.

How we as Christ followers expend our resources speaks of our ability to bring hope into the world.

READ MORE AND JOIN THE CONVERSATION…

Hope of the World →

Bill Hybels made a comment at the Global Leadership Summit that bothered me:

The local church is the hope of the world.

I must confess, I don’t always believe that.

Our message of forgiveness, redemption and love is hope for the world.
Our faith in the God who created the universe is hope for the world.
The power of God to heal a life, restore the hurting and mend the broken brings hope to those in hopelessness.

But local church? The local gathering of believers? We don’t always display that hope.

READ MORE AND ADD TO THE CONVERSATION….

Hope of the World →

Bill Hybels made a comment at the Global Leadership Summit that bothered me:

The local church is the hope of the world.

I must confess, I don’t always believe that.

Our message of forgiveness, redemption and love is hope for the world.
Our faith in the God who created the universe is hope for the world.
The power of God to heal a life, restore the hurting and mend the broken brings hope to those in hopelessness.

But local church? The local gathering of believers? We don’t always display that hope.

READ MORE AND ADD TO THE CONVERSATION….

Changing Seasons →

We all experience seasons in life.
We all go through times marked by a distinctive characteristic.

We go through seasons of prosperity and seasons of lack.
We experience seasons of growth and season of stagnation.
We wrestle through seasons of hardship and rejoice in seasons of peace.
We face seasons of anonymity and seasons of popularity.
We go through seasons where it seems as if God has left us and seasons where we sense His presence all the time.

Seasons are a natural part of life.

READ MORE…

Changing Seasons →

We all experience seasons in life.
We all go through times marked by a distinctive characteristic.

We go through seasons of prosperity and seasons of lack.
We experience seasons of growth and season of stagnation.
We wrestle through seasons of hardship and rejoice in seasons of peace.
We face seasons of anonymity and seasons of popularity.
We go through seasons where it seems as if God has left us and seasons where we sense His presence all the time.

Seasons are a natural part of life.

READ MORE…

World Changing Favor →

We tend think God’s favor gives us an easy life.
We like to believe His blessings will keep us from harm.

We see His favor as giving us that job we’ve always wanted.
We believe it will keep us from ever facing financial hardship.
We think His favor means we will always get the promotion.
We believe it will give us the seats of honor in our city.
We are convinced His favor will always provide for our dreams.
We see it as keeping our family healthy, happy and whole.
We think it will keep accusations and gossip and slander at bay.

Deep down, we think walking in God’s favor is the path to an immensely blessed life.

READ MORE…

World Changing Favor →

We tend think God’s favor gives us an easy life.
We like to believe His blessings will keep us from harm.

We see His favor as giving us that job we’ve always wanted.
We believe it will keep us from ever facing financial hardship.
We think His favor means we will always get the promotion.
We believe it will give us the seats of honor in our city.
We are convinced His favor will always provide for our dreams.
We see it as keeping our family healthy, happy and whole.
We think it will keep accusations and gossip and slander at bay.

Deep down, we think walking in God’s favor is the path to an immensely blessed life.

READ MORE…