Do we know what people are reading and what their questions are? Friday, August 7, 2020, 9:50 am Today I read Exodus 30-32 and Acts 8, NRSV. I’m going down [on my Life Journal calendar list to another area where I’m reading] because I’ve had so many other studies and responsibilities, and because we haven’t been doing our summer Readings in Luke. Exodus 30-32 I wonder how long it takes Israel to digress into sin while Moses is receiving the... Read more
I guess some people just live Monday through Saturday, and it’s like Sunday is their day off . . . from raising cain. If we’re empowered to reach everyone . . . then this is something that God has actually given us the tools to work with. He didn’t give us a job and then not give us the ability to do it. Anything He’s asked us to do, He’s going to empower us to do. If He said it, He’s... Read more
What do God’s commands and teachings – as seen in Scripture – reveal about the outcome(s) God intends for our commercial interactions with one another? That is, what do these economic commands and teachings reveal about how God wants us to live together? During these challenging times that we are facing, it may be good to look at the greater shifts in our system and values, than to focus on the latest news. There may possibly be discussions going on... Read more
The Christian community is a community of people who remind each other who they truly are – the beloved of God. – Henri Nouwen [1] Agapao, “the beloved,” is a strong term. Is this how we think of church? Sometimes churches in general may talk one way, but walk another way. Churches sometimes talk about love but operate like businesses. We don’t always measure success by how many people we’re discipling . . . To download the FREE sermon notes CLICK... Read more
Wearing the mask does not interfere with my walk with Jesus, but being barred from assembling does. – “Jerome” One of the key themes in this piece is assembling, not in the Constitutional sense as much as in the Biblical sense. Assembling is clearly is a thread woven throughout our dialogue. It has been awhile since I’ve posted a piece in a category I call “In Dialogue.” To see more from this category of articles CLICK HERE These are typically informal conversations... Read more
We have heard hundreds and even thousands sing in chorus, but what will it be to hear whole nations lifting up their voices, as the noise of many waters and like great thunders. C.H. Spurgeon To access the FREE sermon notes for The Gathering | Messiah’s Reign CLICK HERE Messiah’s Reign Transcribed from a snippet of the sermon If you understand the structure, it’s like a string of pearls with that one really great pearl right in the middle. It’s the... Read more
There are times when it is best to drop the content calendar and discuss what everyone is discussing. It was my intent to be in the middle of a brief series of writings on communion at this point. However, there are few churches that are gathering, and if they have started, some states are asking them to stop again. So discussing communion would only pour salt in the proverbial wound. What is a prudent response to state mandates? I’ve found... Read more
One of my favorite saints in church history, Brother Lawrence from the 1600’s was a lay-minister in a monastery in Paris. He kept a daily journal. He called himself a servant of the servants of God. Snippet from the sermon: In other words, he’s the one [Brother Lawrence] who worked in the monastery, served the monks, washed the dishes, prepared things, worked in the gardens, went into the villages, and bought what was needed for meals. He was a servant.... Read more
i. The last verse of the book of Judges is like an epitaph for an era Judges 21.25, NRSV: In those days there was no king in Israel; all the people did what was right in their own eyes. It’s an epitaph because an era is dying. Israel is living under a Theocracy, the reign of God. Instead of kings, God has raised up prophets and judges. However, Israel is about to enter an era of kings. It’s an era... Read more
I have really been at a loss because America is not what I remember. We’ve lived in 7 states and we have not witnessed what we’re witnessing now. I grew up as a minority in my schools, but I haven’t witnessed the kind of things we’re witnessing now in America. This written piece is the lead-in before the Sunday sermon (not available on the podcast). If you would like to view or download the sermon notes CLICK HERE Righteousness &... Read more
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