For the kingdom of God is not . . . Sometimes it’s good to ask what something is NOT . . . before asking what it is. Sermon notes: CLICK HERE What the Kingdom of God is NOT For the kingdom of God is not food and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Romans 14.17, NRSV The Apostle Paul seldom writes “Kingdom of God”? What does he mean? Sometimes it’s good to ask what something is... Read more
In part, this article is based on a paper I wrote a “proposal” for, and on pastoral community study. The larger study encompasses prayers surrounding communion that invoke the Holy Spirit. Perhaps I will share more from that study in the future. Would that be good enough for the next 3 weeks? This is a necessary element of the study today, primarily because of the connection between the Magisterial Reformer and the very early Church Father. I am convinced that... Read more
Prayer Inspired by Absalom | Tue 09.01.20, 6:08 pm As I’ve stated in earlier Facebook and LinkedIn posts, sometimes the conventional concordance-based hermeneutics and/or Inductive Bible Study (IBS) do not capture the essence of a Passage. Furthermore, I’m not really contracted to write academic treatises with the content team at Patheos Evangelical. I’m contracted as a Pentecostal writer with Patheos and Pathway Press. Sometimes the higher-ups know me best, so they know that I’m not using Scriptural forms of interpretation... Read more
The Daily Bible Reading (DBRs) I’ve chosen is from FA-21, Unit 2, Tuesday, Treasured People, Deuteronomy 7.6-11 (NLT Fresh Start Bible).[1] 1st Reading, Deut 7.1-11 I recognize the Passage. Why am I always called to the smallest (verse 7)? Do generational blessings and anointings get the attention they deserve (verse 9)? Since this is a conditional prophecy, is there a door of new blessing I could cross through that others could refuse to open their eyes to? 2nd Reading, Deut 7.6-9.29;... Read more
If you would like to listen to music that is more current: try listening to FUEL FM 95.9 Yesterday, as I was studying for the sermon, teachings, the writings, for my sermons yet to come, and the 140th celebration for Long Lake Friends Church, I may post some songs that I find to be relevant for our times. My ideas yesterday are ONLY a playlist. I’ve been accused of being a D.J. before, so bear in mind I’m somewhere between... Read more
So as we began praying for Governor Whitmer together . . . and I can’t remember who led in the group . . . again he said something like . . . He’s been noticing a lot of things in the news degrading to Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Finally, it began to dawn on me that he could’ve been talking about me. People who know me well, know that I don’t like “shoulds” and “musts” . . . but on the... Read more
I normally read all the way through the Last Supper and Resurrection. However, this is a very raw journal entry from events earlier in the week. I have tried to make minimal changes, primarily for the sake of clarity. Now it doesn’t have a heading, but it does have subheadings. August 18, 2020, Tue, 3:10 pm I’m trying to catch up to today from Sunday, and… I find myself in a moment with Christ. I normally read through The Last Supper... Read more
Now if you think about awards that can be given out, um for different things, I don’t often win when it comes to awards . . . Shelley suggests a change in the order of service so that I could surprise everyone with communion, and she counted the cups. Covers of “10,000 Reasons” | “Above All” [1] Communion The Sermon: The Author’s Interpretation | Crossing the Line Beyond God-Fearers The Author’s Interpretation[2] FREE sermon notes | CLICK HERE pic: JVI... Read more
Do we look for a way to start the evangelistic conversation, or do we start with an end in mind? Look These are some questions that arise from time to time regarding the suffering of the Messiah. This quote is from the Nicene Creed, and the material is adapted from section four of the syllabus (*see note). . . . suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried; He descended into hell. Who says Jesus wasn’t rich? This is... Read more
This is a report from our normal Monthly meeting at Long Lake Friends Church. With all the writing that I’m doing under another contract at the moment, I believe this would be a good post to share, especially with those in our community who are looking for the inner workings of a congregation. We’re also discussing ways to put our various committee notes online with Google. Granted, the analytics may seem like small fries, but our congregation likes what they... Read more
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