Uncategorized (Page 7)

Heavenly Father, it has been only days since we sought the comfort of your Spirit from another mass shooting…only 12 days…less than 2 weeks ago in Pittsburgh. Father, although we may not be able to be surprised, please, please, don’t let our hearts grow callused, into hearts of stone. Please don’t let our hearts grow numb to the suffering. Please don’t let our eyes grow accustomed to the dark. Instead, give us hearts of flesh that feel the anguish of…

Karl and Marilouise are facilitating another marriage enrichment event from 6:30-8pm on Friday, November 9th, – entitled, “I See You.” We’ll have conversations on our greatest desire and greatest fear – to be known! It’s about the risks and work it takes to get to know each other. We’ll use quotes from Pastor Timothy Keller’s book, “The Meaning of Marriage” to guide our conversation. Consider this example: “To be loved but not known is comforting but superficial. To be known and not loved is our…

“In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” – St Paul (1 Thessalonians 5.8) Do you think Paul knew that gratitude in everything translated into the potential for greater psychological health and well-being? “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise.   Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations.” – Psalm 100…

Our Father in Heaven, Our nation’s divisions and hatreds reflect our deep need for Your Kingdom to come and for your Kingdom to come within us! We ask You send your Comforter to those grieving yet another horrific killing, this time at Tree Life synagogue. Although we cannot fathom their pain, we are confident you can visit them in the depths of sorrow which is theirs. We ask for that same Spirit of Power, Love and Self-control to permeate our…

Those that have “been there done that” often carry significantly more credibility than those who have not been there or done that. Breast cancer survivors speak volumes to those who discover they have the disease. Recovering addicts serve as sponsors to those spiraling in the web of lies. Any of us who have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus living a Christian lifestyle can comfort and direct the convicted sinner (felon, adulterer, etc.) because we know there is forgiveness…

Who on earth would call a sacrificial death, a time “to be glorified?” Who on earth would love his life by losing it? Who on earth hates his life here in comparison to the hope of eternal life? Two answers: Jesus and You! In this week’s sermon entitled, “Sowing Lessons” it’s now Jesus’ turn to use a seed as metaphor for the spiritual journey from fearful to cheerful. His point? In the same way a seed dies (is buried) and…

“Trading Places” was an early 80’s movie about a wealthy, but outcast Louis Winthorpe III, and a homeless man, Billy Ray Valentine who, through a complex set of circumstances end up (you guessed it) trading places. Valentine receives the wealth and privilege of Winthorpe while Winthorpe suffers the pains of poverty. It’s a kind of remake of Mark Twain’s, “The Prince and the Pauper.” Both/either serve as the jumping-off point for the second installment of October’s worship theme, “Fields of Gold.”…

From the outside…fear can look like greed. It might be because in both instances there is a gathering, even a hoarding of resources. And, although this is true of financial resources it is much more widely true of one’s outlook on life. Fearful people gather resources (often time) out of a mistaken or exaggerated sense of need. Fearful people typically need “just a little more” (could be money or emotional support). Because there’s always news channels, news apps and news…

“…I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me…” – St Paul (Acts 20.24) For St Paul, the mission was everything. It meant more to him than his life. This Sunday as we conclude “The Power of Purpose” September worship series, we’ll end where the Gospels end – with the mission the Lord Jesus has given us! Can you identify the mission the Lord Jesus has…

Fyodor Dostoyevsky, the renowned 20th century Russian novelist is quoted as saying, “The mystery of human existence lies not in just staying alive, but in finding something to live for.” Powerhouse novelists, ancient philosophers and lots of really smart people throughout history have recognized the meaninglessness that infects the purpose-less, even drifting life. But pretty much all of them (or at least all of them I’ve encountered) point in the wrong direction to find life’s direction. They generally point inward.…

This next Sunday completes our September focus on God’s Power of Purpose. We’ve asked large questions designed to bring to Light fundamental Truth that frees our lives and glorifies God! We’ve learned from the Blue Zones research what lifestyle habits contribute to healthy longevity – including my personal favorite – those who attend worship 4x/month! Mostly, we’ve (re)discovered how the Power and Peace of the Gospel blesses us and glorifies God! Here’s where we’ve been. “Where Does It All Begin?”…

According to “The Annals of Internal Medicine” (October 3, 2017 article) sitting too long each day can increase your risk of premature death – even if you exercise. Maybe you’ve heard some say, “sitting is the new smoking” meaning all our sedentary-ness is sneaking up and harming, and maybe killing us! I’m not a frequent reader of Internal Medicine journals – but I do read the Bible frequently! And, as it turns out physicians and researchers are rediscovering what the…