Finding My Story in God's Story 2020 Archives

To Win Your Heart!

by James Nored & Phil Ware · 1 John 1:1 · Incarnation

On this Christmas Day as we bring this year's journey to an end, the question you need to ask is as important to answer as it is simple to ask!

James Nored and Phil Ware challenge us to faith in the eternal God who chose to reveal himself by becoming human and living in our world

Until We Find Our Dream

by James Nored & Phil Ware · Matthew 6:10 · Peace · Sound of Music

What an incredible story of transformation from an atheist to a Christian missionary in primitive Papua, New Guinea, and it is the real

James Nored and Phil Ware share in video and words the wonder of Jesus’ birth and how it changed the world with the Sound of Music and tie this to the New Year with New Hope prayer hour.

Our Intersection with Joy

by James Nored & Phil Ware · Luke 2:10 · Jesus coming

God's long story of grace intersected the mess of our world, and the rest of this story is our good news of great joy.

James Nored on video and Phil Ware with words remind us that the circumstances of the moment can be swallowed up in the greater joy of God's long story of grace that came to us in Jesus of Nazareth.

More than God's Whisper Inviting Us Out of Flatland

by James Nored & Phil Ware · Hebrews 1:1 · Incarnation

How could God help us understand his faithful love for us, yet demonstrate his desire for us to live in our world with his righteous character and gracious compassion?

James Nored and Phil Ware share the meaning of Jesus' incarnation in word and video using a simple but powerful allegory.

Finding Our Path to God

by James Nored & Phil Ware · Acts 4:12 · Salvation

The Bible and the early church were both exclusive and inclusive about salvation and fellowship.

James Nored and Phil Ware remind us of both the exclusive claim of Jesus as the only way to God and the inclusive fellowship of welcoming all people who truly believe in him.

Unlikely Heroes Who Sacrifice

by James Nored & Phil Ware · 1 Corinthians 1:18

Their flesh yearned for a mighty conqueror who would slay their enemies. Jesus made it clear that he would not be that kind of hero!

James Nored and Phil Ware remind us of that inner part of us that still bears the stamp of God's divine nature, the part that is touched by stories of self-sacrifice.

Can We Trust the Scriptures?

by James Nored & Phil Ware · 2 Peter 1:19

We know Jesus is God's greatest Word, but can we trust the Scriptures that lead us to him?

James Nored and Phil Ware share in video and word messages that help us understand that we are part of God's great story of Jesus and that we have a story to share as well.

Purpose that Brings Meaning to Life

by James Nored & Phil Ware · 2 Timothy 4:6 · Measure Up · Meaning

As human beings, we can survive almost any 'how' if we have a 'why'! — Viktor Frankl

James Nored and Phil Ware share God's message for us about purpose and meaning through words and video, focusing on Viktor Frankl and the apostle Paul.

To the Ends of the Earth

by James Nored & Phil Ware · Acts 1:4 · Mission

God uses the most amazing connections and people to fulfill his promises to bless all people!

James Nored and Phil Ware share Jesus' plan to reach all peoples, like the Ethiopian Nobleman and the people in the farthest reaches of the earth, with the goodness of grace.

God's Mission Through Jesus' People

by James Nored & Phil Ware · 1 Corinthians 10:16

Can you think of a more noble vision or a more compelling mission for us, the Lord's people, than to be Jesus' bodily presence to our fractured and fragmented world?

James Nored and Phil Ware challenge us through words and video to embrace God's mission for us as the bodily presence of Jesus in the world.

Sharing Life with Christ

by James Nored & Phil Ware · 1 John 3:1 · Baptism

Jesus is not only our Savior and Lord, but he is also the model on whom we are to build our lives!

James Nored and Phil Ware share in video and word how we can share in the life of Jesus in our lives today.

Life to Our Mortal Bodies

by James Nored & Phil Ware · 1 Corinthians 15:1 · Baptism

Jesus wasn't just raised from the dead; he is also now alive in us through the Holy Spirit!

James Nored and Phil Ware emphasize the importance of the Holy Spirit in our resurrection from the dead.

Which Way Will I Run?

by James Nored & Phil Ware · John 20:1 · Resurrection

Will I run in faith to follow the Jesus of the empty tomb even if it means I have to follow him to a cross of my own?

James Nored and Phil Ware share in video, words, and images some of the many reasons Christians have to believe that Jesus was raised from the dead and is Lord, Christ, Jesus, and Son of God!

Buried

by James Nored & Phil Ware · 1 Corinthians 15:1 · Buried

Jesus died. He was buried. He was raised from the dead. Each one of those facts reminds us that Jesus was not some antiseptic hero from a distance.

James Nored and Phil Ware remind us that Jesus died and was buried and that his burial has special significance for us.

We All Need Jesus!

by James Nored and Phil Ware · Colossians 1:19 · Jesus

Because we could not be

James Nored and Phil Ware remind us that we all needed Jesus' redemptive death on the cross so we could find new life in the grace of God.

Who Do I Say that Jesus Is?

by James Nored & Phil Ware · Acts 2:36 · Identity

Jesus' trials focused on his true identity.

James Nored and Phil Ware share in word and video the meaning of Jesus' trials before Pilate, Herod, and the Jewish Ruling Council.

Unless a Seed

by James Nored & Phil Ware · 1 Corinthians 1:18 · Crucifixion

Jesus had many opportunities to walk away from the shame and pain of the cross, but he chose the Father's will and our need over his comfort.

James Nored and Phil Ware remind us of the dark night that began the long, painful, and lonely journey of Jesus through his Passion to bring us to God.

Beyond Religious Places, Practices, and Rituals

by James Nored & Phil Ware · John 3:16 · Great Commission

We must always remember that God's love for broken people and our call to his mission must matter most.

James Nored and Phil Ware remind us of the deadly consequences of a religion that forgets the love of God for broken people and mission Jesus has for us to the lost world.

Truly See the Coming King

by James Nored & Phil Ware · John 9:39 · Cross

See the King headed to a cross, the foal of a donkey, and a formerly blind man who followed along the way.

James Nored and Phil Ware remind us that many were blind to Jesus as the Messiah because he refused to be the kind of Messiah they expected; he was the upside down Messiah.

The Upside-Down Messiah

by James Nored & Phil Ware · Mark 10:33 · Servant

As much as we don't want to admit it, we often miss the way of the upside down Messiah as badly as his first disciples.

James Nored and Phil Ware remind us in word and video how upside down Jesus' values are to the way we often do things in our world and in our churches.

Who Do You Say I Am?

by James Nored & Phil Ware · John 1:14 · Identity

At a place with great spiritual and physical significance, Jesus challenged his followers to decide about his identity.

James Nored and Phil Ware challenge us to answer the same question Jesus asked his first followers at Caesarea Philippi: 'Who do you say I am?'

To the Least of These, Like Jesus

by James Nored & Phil Ware · Matthew 19:14 · Least

Largely, in the days when Jesus came, children were only valued if they were wanted. I wonder what history will say in the future about us?

James Nored and Phil Ware remind us that we not only must become like children but as Jesus' followers, we must value children.

Through Every Storm!

by James Nored & Phil Ware · Matthew 8:23 · Storm

Jesus wants us to invite him into our storms so he can speak peace to our panic and hope to our dread.

James Nored and Phil Ware remind us that the storms of life can engulf us, surround us, buffet us, and even terrify us, but Jesus will not abandon us in our storms and will eventually bring us to safety, peace, and calm.

A New Heart

by James Nored & Phil Ware · 2 Corinthians 3:18 · Sermon on the Mount

Jesus isn't calling us to keep a list of do's and don'ts; he is challenging us to obey the Father from our hearts, in love.

James Nored and Phil Ware remind us of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount and that he was not giving us a list of do's and don't do's, but was calling us to put into practice the way of God from the heart.

In His Steps to Share His Light

by James Nored & Phil Ware · Christlikeness · Sermon on the Mount

Jesus went up on the mountain and taught his followers to live the good life, to live as Jesus did!

Phil Ware and James Nored, through word and video, remind us of our need to return to the Jesus-styled kind of life.