In the first few sermons of the year, I tried to prepare us for the process of evaluating where we are, dreaming about where we want to go, and determining how we’re going to get there – in a word, change. I know that change can be irritating, if not outright frightening, but it’s a … [Read more…]
“’Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord….’ ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.’” … [Read more…]
I don’t know what tradition of Christianity you grew up in, but until I was in the third grade, by family attended the Presbyterian church in town. Growing up in a church that has a liturgical calendar allowed me to develop a sense of tradition that has helped me grow in my faith and knowledge … [Read more…]
We’ve been focusing on Romans 12:9-20 for the last few weeks, and we’re going to continue over the next few weeks. The core of this series of messages has been the idea from verse 9 that “love must be sincere.” Grammatically speaking, this section is one long run-on sentence. Throughout the rest of this section … [Read more…]
Fall is absolutely my favorite season of the year. I love the change from summer to fall, the change in the temperature, the change in the leaves, the change to football – all of it! It’s a time of transition, and I love it. Many folks don’t like transitions, usually because they liked the way … [Read more…]
This last sermon series has been encouraging for me. Throughout my life and ministry, I’ve found myself looking for that “one thing” that will help me grow closer to God or that would help others grow in their faith and knowledge of Jesus. However, in that search, I’ve discovered that there are no “silver bullets” … [Read more…]
My family and I just spent the last week in Indianapolis for the North American Christian Convention. We heard great speakers, worshiped with a few thousand brothers and sisters in Christ, and reunited with friends we haven’t seen in a while. It was a good time to be refilled and redirected. The theme for the … [Read more…]
For whatever specific reason, throughout the world, we Americans have a cowboy image. Whether it is because of our western, cowboy heritage and culture or due to our western movies, many people in the rest of the world regard us as people who are bold and brash, perhaps somewhat uncultured, but principled and strong. While … [Read more…]
I love our prayer list. That seems strange, considering that the list has nearly 100 requests on it. I love the list because it seems to keep this body of believers in obedience with Paul’s command. First Thessalonians 5:17 says, in some versions, “Pray without ceasing.” I praise God that this is a praying church. … [Read more…]
There’s a fortune-cookie “curse” that says, “May you live in interesting times.” The recent spate of movies from Hollywood that have purportedly Christian themes has certainly made the last few months interesting. I’m referring to “Son of God,” “Noah,” “God’s Not Dead,” “Heaven Is Real,” and the upcoming “Persecuted” (to be released this summer), “Left … [Read more…]