Jonathan Shradar

Jesus' grace is sufficient for you and his power is actually made perfect in your weakness. Tap into this good news today! [audio https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/fmfn/Fmfn+episode+20.mp3]   Listen here .

“This I confess to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets, having a hope in God…” (Acts 24:14–15 ESV) Believing in Jesus is not setting aside the voice of the Law and Prophets, all of the Old Testament. No, it is hearing that voice speaking of Jesus. Each and every promise, every interaction between God and man, the burden of the Law, the hope of a coming king, each covenant; it all points to Christ. Here is Paul claiming belief of it all before Felix and appealing to Rome for safety. This too is our confession as we belong to the Way, as followers of Jesus, we believe everything laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets, having hope in God, because we know it reveals Christ. Moses was speaking of him and every prophetic vision is accomplished in him. It all is meant to show us Christ all the more clearly. And we get to rejoice in every jot and tittle because

https://youtu.be/Lu2nVP_Fym0 Come, the Father's arms are open wide.  

As we have been preparing for adoption, one thing continues to come up in the training material. Attachment with the child. Here are kids that have had little personal care or interaction with adults and as they transition into a new family, it takes time and effort to help them trust in you. Studying this reality I have also been struck at how my own biological children have attached to Stacy and I been contemplating the implication for my own history and others around me. So much of our attachment as children shapes are ability to relate in adulthood. Fascinating stuff! Enter the fine folks at Coram Deo in Omaha. In a recent Wednesday Conversation , the pastors discussed the issue and its ramifications for gospel community. It is a well worthwhile listen. Listen here.

"Well, I don't know what will happen now. We've got some difficult days ahead. But it really doesn't matter with me now, because I've been to the mountaintop. And I don't mind. Like anybody, I would like to live - a long life; longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the Promised Land. So I'm happy, tonight. I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord." - Martin Luther King Jr. April 3, 1968 in his last sermon, " I've Been to The Mountaintop ."  

Jesus calls us to humility, it is the path to greatness but it is not for greatness sake. [audio https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/fmfn/Fmfn+episode+19.mp3] Listen here .

“And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.” (Acts 17:2–3 ESV) I wonder how many people are put off by a suffering Savior. That Jesus really had to be tortured, murdered and shamed on a cross. You have probably heard of how this story indicates divine child abuse or it is just too bloody for modern sensibilities. When we understand why, however, the necessity of the suffering becomes clear and humbling. It was necessary for the Christ to suffer in this way and rise from the dead, because of our sin, our rebellion from God. In the place of our eternal suffering, Jesus takes on all of it. Every ounce of wrath we stored up and earned was met by Jesus. And he did it for you. He did it so that you would have life in his resurrection and hope in him. And it is this Jesus,

https://youtu.be/BIBtSt7YhEA

Depending how you define adventurous, you might not find that our family meets up to the term. But we try to make the normal things of life an adventure making visits to the park a grand expedition or journeys something more than just a drive. Recently on one of our adventures we were talking about favorite animal when Iona, our six-year-old, asked if her little sister will have seen a panda. For those of you that don't know, we are in the process of international adoption and are hoping to bring home a little girl from China. We are pursuing adoption because of our spiritual adoption in Christ. Just as we were sought by our Savior, we desire to give a child a forever family. The question was cute and reasonable. If her little sister is coming from the place where pandas come from, maybe she would see one. We explained to Iona that it was unlikely that sister would see a panda, as she probably will not have that many adventures making it our job to invite her into our adventures. S

You were created to glorify God with others and the harmony to do so is a gift from God. Romans 15:5-6. [audio https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/fmfn/FMFN+Episode+18+.mp3] Listen here .

“But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven,” (Matthew 10:30–32 ESV) Sending his disciples out to proclaim the good news, Jesus warns them that violence with come on them as opposition stands in the way. But they were to give without pay what they received without paying. That is something. You can’t buy your way into relationship with God but Jesus loves to gift it to you. In this gift, in this receiving, the disciples and we who follow their lead, have nothing to fear in life or death. All of the hairs of our head are numbered and we are more valuable than a flock of sparrows. Everyone who acknowledges Jesus before men will be acknowledged by Jesus before the Father in heaven. You will be presented blameless before the throne as you are in Christ. His righteousness your covering, his word of approval and his acknow

This week at Grace Church we begin a series that will cover our new vision and mission statement. I know it is not terribly glamorous, but for our little church to lay a solid foundation for generations to come that will be about proclaiming our Savior as our shared purpose is encouraging to me. May we know Jesus more deeply and make him known so that others far off and close by can be saved!

Something abnormal is happening this week in San Diego. It is raining. For the last two days we have had flash flood watches and some significant rain. Without a doubt we need the rain. Actually we need snow in the mountains but one usually leads to the other! Years of drought dried land feeling the refreshment of the Godzilla El Nino. But even in our need it is surprising. We have to remember how to drive in rain, we need more than sandals on our feet and we face the dilemma of figuring out what to do inside all day. Life feels different when you are drenched in rain rather than warmed by the sun. (I realize you may have very different weather and are much more robust that I have become in SoCal, but go with it.) But it is worthwhile because it brings life. As I pondered our community's reaction to the rain, I wondered about my reaction to the gospel. Here we are in need (spiritually to have someone save us and cover our sinfulness). But when the solution comes, Jesus on the cross

God's greatness is unsearchable. Who he is and what he does is worthy of worship and his work is very personal. Let's tap into Psalm 145. [audio https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/fmfn/FMFN+Episode+17+.mp3] Listen Here .

For 2016 I have begun a new daily devotional on Medium following the M'Cheyne Bible reading plan. I hope it is an encouragement to you and as we move through the year I will share the Sunday posts here as well. “And the LORD God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins and clothed them.” (Genesis 3:21 ESV) It might seem like a throwaway line. A little fact at the end of a devastating statement about the brokenness that sin will bring into the world. Just a description of what happened after God spoke to Adam and his wife, in the wake of their eating the fruit and being enticed by the serpent. After the promise of offspring that will crush the head of the deceiver and the reality of pain and toil comes action. Adam and his wife, soon to be named Eve, were naked. The awareness of it revealed their sin and God acts to cover them. To warm them and alleviate their shame. This was a glimpse into the promise of permantent covering to come. It took blood. Animals died to give up t