January 22, 2015
by Eric Garrett
When we consider how to approach those who are struggling, I believe most of us would agree that our disposition is of utmost importance. How many of us can look back with regret on a conversation we've had with someone grieving a lost loved one, bemoaning a challenging circumstance at work or home, or even struggling with a besetting sin and see where we were short, quick to speak and slow to listen, or simply uninterested in the person's suffering at the time? I believe we understand that loving a sufferer necessitates genuinely caring about his or her heartfelt struggle in times of difficulty. But is that enough?...Keep Reading
Posted in: Member Musings Tags: Redeemer Church, Lake Nona Church, blog, lake Nona, community groups, Lake Nona Churches, Eric Garrett, Suffering, redeemerchurch, redeemer, lakenonachurch, redeemer blog, church ministry, counseling, church blog, Redeemer Church of Lake Nona, Redeemer Lake Nona, Redeemer Church at Lake Nona, Job
January 7, 2015
If you’re like me sometimes it’s hard to know what the gospel really looks like in relationships. I actually used to think the gospel was something you spoke only to the lost who needed to hear how the sinless life, atoning death and glorious resurrection of Christ made a way for them to have a relationship with God, brings meaning to suffering and provides hope for the future. Then I heard men like Jerry Bridges and others talk about “preaching the gospel to myself every day” and I wrestled with what that meant....Keep Reading
Posted in: Musings of a Pastor's Wife Tags: Redeemer Church, Lake Nona Church, blog, lake Nona, ministry, Sheree Phillips, Orlando Church, Lake Nona Churches, Christian Character, Maturity, lee vista, lee vista church, redeemerchurch, redeemer, lakenonachurch, redeemer blog, church ministry, counseling, church blog, Redeemer Church of Lake Nona, Redeemer Lake Nona, Redeemer Church at Lake Nona, compassion, relationships
December 31, 2014
by Bob Putman
Most people know what you’re obsessed with. It’s clear because you live devoted to you obsession. ...Keep Reading
Posted in: Sermon Review Tags: sermon, Redeemer Church, Lake Nona Church, lake Nona, church life, Orlando Church, Lake Nona Churches, lee vista, lee vista church, sermons, redeemerchurch, redeemer, lakenonachurch, the gospel, sermon review, redeemer blog, preaching the gospel, gospel-centered preaching, church blog, Redeemer Church of Lake Nona, Galatians, Galatian's series, book, Redeemer Lake Nona, Redeemer Church at Lake Nona, sermon; sermon review
December 16, 2014
This past week, Senate Democrats released a 6,000 page report about CIA tactics in the post-9/11 but pre-Obama world. It is colloquially known as the “torture report,†although it centers around what the CIA called “enhanced interrogation techniques,†which were approved by the Bush administration, funded by Congress, and considered legal by various federal judges. Many of those techniques, though, are also considered torture. The report brings up three questions. The first, which I will mostly ignore, is whether the report should have been released at all, and, if so, should it have been released while the United States is still at war with an enemy that is both at issue in the report and can be expected to use the report as fodder for retaliation and recruitment. Certainly it appears as if the report is an attempt by several senators to re-write history. If they are known as the senators that brought wide-ranging, unethical practices to light, then perhaps it will be forgotten that they were fully briefed on the techniques and provided funding to implement the techniques without notable objection. The second question is whether the “enhanced interrogation techniques†were in fact torture. For the sake of this post, I will assume that many of them are (partly because of course they are)....Keep Reading
Posted in: Cultural Values Tags: torture, situational ethics, ethics, morality, Redeemer Church, Lake Nona Church, lake Nona, Orlando Church, Lake Nona Churches, lee vista, lee vista church, cultural values, redeemerchurch, redeemer, lakenonachurch, redeemer blog, Gospel-centeredness, cultural issues, church blog, Redeemer Church of Lake Nona, cultural engagement, Redeemer Lake Nona, Redeemer Church at Lake Nona, government
December 9, 2014
by Janelle Garrett
Janelle writes a poem about the hidden hatred in all of us, and what the solution is. ...Keep Reading
Posted in: Poetry Tags: poetry, Redeemer Church, Lake Nona Church, lake Nona, Orlando Church, Lake Nona Churches, Sin, Racism, lee vista, lee vista church, redeemerchurch, redeemer, lakenonachurch, redeemer blog, social issues, cultural issues, Redeemer Church of Lake Nona, cultural engagement, race, racial reconciliation, Ferguson, Redeemer Lake Nona, prejudice, equality, Redeemer Church at Lake Nona, hate
December 5, 2014
I’m one of those crazy people who gets up early on Black Friday to shop. It’s a tradition my daughters and I have enjoyed for years. Frankly, I don’t buy much. For me it’s primarily a sentimental opportunity to spend time with my girls and have our yearly lunch at Olive Garden....Keep Reading
Posted in: Holiday Specials Tags: Redeemer Church, Lake Nona Church, blog, lake Nona, Prayer, church life, Sheree Phillips, Orlando Church, Lake Nona Churches, cancer, lee vista, lee vista church, redeemerchurch, Spirit life, redeemer, lakenonachurch, redeemer blog, preaching the gospel, church blog, Redeemer Church of Lake Nona, Redeemer Lake Nona, Redeemer Church at Lake Nona, God's work through suffering, compassion, Merry Christmas, Incarnating Christ
December 4, 2014
by Eric Garrett
Well here it is...the holiday season. The traffic's getting busier, the office seems a bit more cheery, and, I confess, I'm playing Christmas music most of the time I'm in my car (at least until a few days before Christmas after I've overindulged in it). I've gotta say that I love this time of year. I love that many of us consciously spend more time with those we love. I love that aside from retail businesses on Black Friday and Christmas Eve, in general people (by the common grace of God) seem to genuinely consider others more. And yes, I love the music that proclaims the glories of our Savior's birth! But the reality is that this season can also be an energy-draining, anxiety-producing vortex....Keep Reading
Posted in: Holiday Specials Tags: Redeemer Church, Lake Nona Church, blog, lake Nona, events, Orlando Church, Lake Nona Churches, Eric Garrett, Identity, lee vista, lee vista church, redeemerchurch, redeemer, lakenonachurch, redeemer blog, church blog, Redeemer Church of Lake Nona, Christmas music, Redeemer Lake Nona, Redeemer Church at Lake Nona, Christmas season, busy, martha, anxiety, stress
December 3, 2014
by Janelle Garrett
Recently I’ve been reminded several times of various situations, or particular patients I’ve taken care of, when I was a nurse. Maybe it’s because as a stay at home mom part of me misses my former job. Or perhaps it’s because these things had such an impact on me. I’ve written here about a particular patient who was diagnosed with cancer. I’ve also written here about watching a man die....Keep Reading
Posted in: Member Musings Tags: Redeemer Church, blog, Sin, Reconciliation, Justification, Shame, lee vista, lee vista church, redeemerchurch, redeemer, redeemer blog, church blog, Redeemer Church of Lake Nona, heart issues, nursing, Redeemer Lake Nona, Redeemer Church at Lake Nona, sorrow, godly sorrow, worldly sorrow
November 24, 2014
by Bob Putman
Pastor Benny began his message on Sunday by saying these are difficult verses because of how radical Paul’s message was. The Galatian churches were being affected by “men from James,” the Jerusalem church that James led. The Judaizers, whom James did not agree with, were saying, it’s fine and important to become a Christian, and yes, Jesus is the Messiah. But to become a Christian you have to become a Jew under the law....Keep Reading
Posted in: Sermon Review Tags: sermon, sermon review, Redeemer Church, Benny Phillips, Lake Nona Church, blog, lake Nona, bible reading, bible, Orlando Church, Lake Nona Churches, Scripture, redeemerchurch, redeemer, lakenonachurch, redeemer blog, gospel-centered preaching, church blog, Redeemer Church of Lake Nona, Galatian's series, from slavery to sonship, Redeemer Lake Nona, Redeemer Church at Lake Nona, Galatians series
November 21, 2014
by Janelle Garrett
I watched a man die once. It was not an experience I’ve ever wanted to repeat again. He was a quiet, pleasant patient whom I had taken care of a few times since he had been placed within our unit. That day, my friend was his nurse. She called me in to come help her, stating he was having difficulty breathing. Sure enough, he was in his recliner gasping for breath. As she ran to grab non-rebreather mask (a step up from your typical 02 mask), things went downhill quickly. I didn’t have enough time to even call another nurse into the room with me before I knew I had to call a code. Thankfully, a physical therapy assistant was in the room with me, and helped me lift him onto the bed so I could start CPR. ...Keep Reading
Posted in: Cultural Values Tags: Redeemer Church, Lake Nona Church, blog, lake Nona, bible, Orlando Church, Lake Nona Churches, lee vista, lee vista church, abortion, cultural values, redeemerchurch, redeemer, lakenonachurch, redeemer blog, social issues, cultural issues, church blog, Redeemer Church of Lake Nona, cultural engagement, Redeemer Lake Nona, culture, social justice, Redeemer Church at Lake Nona
November 19, 2014
This past Monday started out pretty gloomy. I had trouble sleeping the night before, partly because aging brings sleeping issues and, yeah, I’m in “that season” of life when sleeping is typically challenging. But my restlessness was also related to some weighty concerns I’ve been having about people I love…a lot....Keep Reading
Posted in: Musings of a Pastor's Wife Tags: Redeemer Church, Lake Nona Church, blog, lake Nona, bible reading, Sheree Phillips, Lake Nona Churches, devotional, lee vista, lee vista church, redeemerchurch, redeemer, lakenonachurch, redeemer blog, counseling, church blog, Redeemer Church of Lake Nona, Redeemer Lake Nona, Redeemer Church at Lake Nona, anxiety
November 14, 2014
by Janelle Garrett
Fascinated by scenes unfurled, fascinated they come and dance
This vision of a Son of Man, who melts my heart with soulful glance
Across the vision of cautious mind, foreboding foresight still
I see the Maker of all things, bear a cross uphill...Keep Reading
Posted in: Poetry Tags: Redeemer Church, Lake Nona Church, blog, lake Nona, Orlando Church, Lake Nona Churches, redeemerchurch, redeemer, lakenonachurch, redeemer blog, church blog, poetry, Redeemer Church of Lake Nona, Redeemer Lake Nona, Redeemer Church at Lake Nona
November 13, 2014
Often the moments I hear heart-wrenching comments like this are while sitting on the couch in my living room sharing a glass of sweet tea with women from my church. Like me, they’re dealing with the often-weighty consequences of sins by or against them: pain that runs deep like a knife being slowly twisted through the heart. It’s not always there. But when it’s triggered by something as simple as an overheard comment or as disorienting as a dream about “what happened” the knife pinches and turns….again and again. Finally they feel safe enough to tell someone. These moments are what one man calls having someone share their finest china with me. I don’t want to carelessly handle and potentially break something so valuable; so fragile....Keep Reading
Posted in: Musings of a Pastor's Wife Tags: Redeemer Church, Lake Nona Church, blog, lake Nona, healing, Sheree Phillips, Lake Nona Churches, Faith, Sin, lee vista, Suffering, lee vista church, dark, redeemerchurch, redeemer, lakenonachurch, redeemer blog, church ministry, faithfulness of God, counseling, church blog, Redeemer Church of Lake Nona, Redeemer Lake Nona, Redeemer Church at Lake Nona, compassion
November 12, 2014
by Eric Garrett
Recently, Sheree Phillips wrote a transparent and helpful post on the struggle of waiting for God. If you're like her (and me), then you probably have an aversion to waiting for just about anything. And the reality is that if you're a Westerner, you're probably just like us in this way. It's no new revelation that with our culture-wide embrace of fast food, fast cash, and the fast lane we simply can't stand waiting on things to happen. We are used to "getting things done" and when we can't change our circumstances it tends to make us uneasy, if not irritable and angry. So waiting reveals our hearts....Keep Reading
Posted in: Christian Living Tags: waiting, yoke-bearing, Redeemer Church, Lake Nona Church, blog, lake Nona, church life, Sheree Phillips, Lake Nona Churches, Eric Garrett, lee vista, lee vista church, cultural values, redeemerchurch, redeemer, lakenonachurch, the gospel, redeemer blog, cultural issues, faithfulness of God, church blog, Redeemer Church of Lake Nona, Redeemer Lake Nona, culture, Redeemer Church at Lake Nona, God's work through suffering, God's mercy
November 3, 2014
by Janelle Garrett
Modest dress is a worthy discussion (after all, the Bible does talk about it!) but modesty includes far more than what can be seen on the outside. In fact, the definition of modest is not “Women who dress culturally appropriate.” Rather, the definition is “the quality of being modest; freedom from vanity, boastfulness, etc.” I didn’t see “Modest is hottest” anywhere in that definition either. The definition goes on to say, “regard for decency of behavior, speech, dress, etc.”...Keep Reading
Posted in: Christian Living Tags: modesty, self-control, Redeemer Church, Lake Nona Church, blog, lake Nona, humility, Lake Nona Churches, lee vista, The pursuit of holiness, lee vista church, cultural values, redeemerchurch, redeemer, lakenonachurch, redeemer blog, social issues, cultural issues, holiness, church blog, rape culture, Redeemer Church of Lake Nona, cultural engagement, heart issues, Redeemer Lake Nona, culture, Redeemer Church at Lake Nona
October 30, 2014
by Eric Garrett
suffering4
This likely won't be my most popular post (not that I'm under any illusion that any of my posts are widely read). But I believe this issue to be so important that it needs to be discussed, particularly among those of us from a younger generation. For those of us who haven't experienced the pressures of real financial hardship, who haven't mourned the death of the someone close to us, who haven't experienced daily aches and pains, this topic might not seem that relevant to us. However, that's a lie. A considerate older person will tell you that the weight of the reality of suffering is right around the corner. But even among seasoned sufferers there often seems to be great misunderstanding about the nature of suffering, so I think it might be helpful to attempt to address suffering from a biblical point of view....Keep Reading
Posted in: Christian Living Tags: blog, Suffering, the reason for suffering, God's work through suffering, Redeemer Church, Lake Nona Church, lake Nona, Lake Nona Churches, lee vista, lee vista church, redeemerchurch, redeemer, lakenonachurch, redeemer blog, Gospel-centeredness, church blog, Redeemer Church of Lake Nona, Redeemer Lake Nona, Redeemer Church at Lake Nona
October 29, 2014
by Janelle Garrett
Benny Phillips continued Redeemer's Galatians series, preaching on Galatians 3:15-25 on Sunday. So far in the letter to the Galatians, Paul has a specific flow of thought: He has established that we are saved, justified and redeemed only by faith in Christ and not through righteousness of our own. Any careful reader (or listener) will inevitably have questions about where the law fits into the Christian life, then. Specifically, Paul answers the question, "Does the law (given to Moses) set aside the promise (given to Abraham)?"...Keep Reading
Posted in: Sermon Review Tags: Benny Phillips, blog, sermon, sermon review, gospel, from slavery to sonship, the law, Galatians series, Redeemer Church, Lake Nona Church, lake Nona, Lake Nona Churches, Who You Are in Christ, lee vista, lee vista church, redeemerchurch, redeemer, lakenonachurch, redeemer blog, preaching the gospel, gospel-centered preaching, church blog, Redeemer Church of Lake Nona, Galatians, Redeemer Lake Nona, Redeemer Church at Lake Nona
October 23, 2014
by Eric Garrett
I love God's Word. I hope you do too. I love knowing that because of what Jesus accomplished for me in the gospel, earning my righteousness by living a perfect life, absorbing the penalty for my sin at the cross, and rising from the dead to secure my new life in him, I can sit at his feet and commune with the living God in a completely restored relationship. And I love that this is always possible no matter how sinful I feel - rightly or wrongly (Heb. 4:16). Seeing Jesus in me, God wants me to come to Him at all times and in every circumstance. The Word of God assures me of this, and it is comforting beyond words....Keep Reading
Posted in: Christian Living Tags: Redeemer Church, Lake Nona Church, blog, lake Nona, evangelism, bible reading, bible, reading, Orlando Church, Lake Nona Churches, devotional, Eric Garrett, lee vista, lee vista church, redeemerchurch, redeemer, lakenonachurch, redeemer blog, church blog, Redeemer Church of Lake Nona, read, Redeemer Lake Nona, Redeemer Church at Lake Nona, Jeremiah, The Word of God, prophet, Suffering
October 20, 2014
by Bob Putman
If we assess the idea that “faith alone in Christ alone by grace alone†is all we need for salvation, we need to evaluate this in the light of scripture. And we need to evaluate the Judaizers’ idea that something more than Christ’s sacrifice is needed. Let’s not be too quick to condemn them. They were trying to protect something good: God’s holiness. They were saying, “Gentile Christians need to see the holiness of God and keep his commands.â€...Keep Reading
Posted in: Sermon Review Tags: Redeemer Church, Benny Phillips, Lake Nona Church, blog, lake Nona, gospel, Orlando Church, Lake Nona Churches, Spirit Filled Church, Freedom, sermons, redeemerchurch, redeemer, lakenonachurch, sermon review, redeemer blog, preaching the gospel, gospel-centered preaching, sermon, church blog, Redeemer Church of Lake Nona, Galatians, Galatian's series, from slavery to sonship, Redeemer Lake Nona, salvation, Redeemer Church at Lake Nona
October 15, 2014
by Eric Garrett
I will offend you. And you will offend me. This is the harsh reality of life as a part of God's eternal kingdom while still living in our sinful flesh as inhabitants of our broken world. As brothers and sisters in Christ we will offend each other, and it will likely happen often. I wish this was not true, but both experience and Scripture validate this hard truth (see Matt. 18:21-22). And this is all the more the case in lieu of the seemingly heightened level of sensitivity and emotional fragility of our culture....Keep Reading
Posted in: Christian Living Tags: Redeemer Church, Lake Nona Church, blog, lake Nona, church life, Orlando Church, Lake Nona Churches, Eric Garrett, Conflict, Reconciliation, Christian Character, lee vista, lee vista church, redeemerchurch, redeemer, lakenonachurch, redeemer blog, kingdom of God, church ministry, church blog, Redeemer Church of Lake Nona, Redeemer Lake Nona, offense, offended
October 14, 2014
Jesse began by talking about the concept of change. Turning away from unwanted behavior is something common to everyone. Whether it is silly habits, or more serious addictions, we all have aspects of behavior that we want to modify. 12 step programs abound for every sort of sin, addiction or compulsion. Many of these programs borrow from biblical wisdom in their approach, and can be helpful. However, behavior modification, while important at times in and of itself, is not what is most important. The human condition requires more than behavior modification; it requires redemption and sanctification....Keep Reading
Posted in: Sermon Review Tags: Redeemer Church, Lake Nona Church, blog, lake Nona, Orlando Church, Lake Nona Churches, Holy Spirit, Jesse Phillips, Freedom, sermons, redeemerchurch, redeemer, lakenonachurch, sermon review, redeemer blog, Sanctification, Gospel-centeredness, gospel-centered preaching, sermon, church blog, Redeemer Church of Lake Nona, Galatians, Galatian's series, from slavery to sonship, Redeemer Lake Nona
October 13, 2014
Jake Phillips writes about Christopher Columbus, Christian subcultures, and legitimate conversion. Are we placing more value in seeing unbelievers begin to look, act and talk like us, or in seeing them act more like Christ? Do we value legitimate conversions or cultural assimilation? ...Keep Reading
Posted in: Cultural Values Tags: Redeemer Church, Lake Nona Church, lake Nona, Redeemer Church of Lake Nona, Redeemer Lake Nona, Christopher Columbus, Columbus Day, conversions, salvation, culture, Christian subculture
