When I was a child, I used to struggle with nightmares. I would often wake up, run into my parents’ room, and climb in bed with them. The funny thing was, I wouldn’t be content until I had wormed my way in between them to the middle of the bed. It was at this point that I would feel surrounded, safe, and secure. In Psalm 125, the writer says that as people trust in God, they will dwell in a secure place. The Lord God Almighty is a shield around them. He says that those who tr

Here at Riviera Baptist Church, our youth group is currently working through a Bible Challenge to read through the first few books of the New Testament. Several of our students are on track to complete the challenge - which is awesome! In light of this, I have been thinking a lot about the Gospels (as one would guess), but also about revelation in general: how Jesus is the highest end of revelation. The Gospels center on the life of Jesus Christ. Though they are similar in co

Eating, especially snacking, is deeply ingrained in the American culture. It's also a part of church culture. Rarely is there a social or fellowship event at church in which there is not some form of food. When I started the new Wednesday program at Riviera Baptist Church (RK2), I had to make a decision as it relates to food: Do we or do we not have food available for the students? All things considered, it was decided that we would have a snack as a part of our events. Let m

I have a reputation for being a joyful person. It’s a pretty good thing to be known for. I can’t tell you how many times people have asked me, “How are you so happy all the time?” My default answer is usually, “Well, the joy of the Lord is my strength” - a reference to Nehemiah 8:10. But this classic Christian slogan is often thrown around without acknowledging its depth of meaning. What is the joy of the Lord, and how is it our strength as Christians? An easy way to start un