October 5, 2015 Year B 1 Corinthians 7:1-9 Whatever the question was that was directed at Paul, he had a direct answer. Perhaps it was: “Is it good for a man to have sexual relations with a woman?” Paul’s answer states no (1 Corinthians 7:1). But then Paul explains that sexual immorality is so rampant (1 Corinthians 7:2), that each MAN should have his own WIFE, and each WOMAN should have her own HUSBAND (1 Corinthians 7:2). This answer reflects... Read more
Back to the Future (1985) MOVIE SUMMARY: A young man is accidentally sent 30 years into the past in a time-traveling DeLorean invented by his friend, Dr. Emmett Brown, and must make sure his high-school-age parents unite in order to save his own existence. MOVIE THEMES: Altering the Future The prominent theme throughout the film is how our choices can alter the future. Choices have consequences. What we do and say can affect others. The conversation between Dr. Brown... Read more
Star Trek Into Darkness (2013) MOVIE SUMMARY: After the crew of the Enterprise find an unstoppable force of terror from within their own organization, Captain Kirk leads a manhunt to a war-zone world to capture a one-man weapon of mass destruction. MOVIE THEMES: Growth and Maturity In a real sense, this movie is a true sequel to Star Trek (2009). While the first movie was about beginnings, this movie is about maturity. Kirk, beginning with the first scene, has... Read more
Afterburn by Kc Kopaska and Carole Liston Afterburn by Kc Kopaska and Carole Liston shares the story of Kc Kopaska. This is a story of tragedy, redemption, and transformation. Kopaska takes you through the flames of his tragic accident, his survival against all odds, his rocky recovery, and finally to the secrets of redemption and transformation. There is wisdom in suffering, the kind of wisdom that clarifies the lenses of our rose-colored glasses and allows us to more accurately... Read more
Learning to Worship God With My Heart Learning to Worship God With My Heart is a sermon from Psalm 95:1-11 in a series on “The Heart.” Satan was standing outside a church building one Sunday morning. Inside, the people were singing, praying, and listening to preaching. A passerby asked Satan if that did not bother him. With a demonic, sneering laugh he replied negatively. Then he added, “They get that way on Sunday, but they will be all right on... Read more
Star Trek: Nemesis (2002)MOVIE SUMMARY: The USS Enterprise-E is diverted to the Romulan homeworld Romulus, supposedly because they want to negotiate a peace treaty. Once in enemy territory, the captain and his crew make a startling discovery: Shinzon is human, a slave from the Romulan sister planet of Remus (the residents of which are vampire-like creatures that dwell on the perpetually dark side of their home world), and has a secret, shocking relationship to Picard himself. It soon becomes clear... Read more
The Rule of Two September 22, 2015 Year B Ecclesiastes 4:9-16 In the Star Wars movies, the evil Sith have a rule: there can only be two rulers at a time – a leader and an apprentice. It is actually a very good rule. You can train the younger person to learn how to lead and when the other is old, the younger one can take over. But taking over is the problem. As the younger one gets older, he... Read more
How to Live a Life of Integrity How to Live a Life of Integrity is a sermon from Psallm 101:1-8 on the importance of Christian integrity. Our moral compass which we follow is God. Annually, the president of the United States brings his State of the Union address before a joint session of the Congress. Here the nation’s leader outlines his domestic policies for the coming legislative year. At the same time, he also raises foreign policy issues and gives... Read more
1 Corinthians 11:27-34 Taking a Spiritual Self-Exam For the past couple of weeks, we have rejoiced as we have seen make their commitments to Christ real in their life by being baptized. Some came to the altar recognizing their need. Others came realizing that although they had an experience, they were not committed to Christ. Today, we had a family come to show their commitment to Christ. Baptism happens once for the Christian. It is a commandment that Jesus gave.... Read more
Building My Relationship with Jesus Christ Building My Relationship with Jesus is a sermon from John 15:1-8 about the importance of my relationship with Jesus Christ. Pet Sitters International began sponsoring a “Take your Dog to Work Day” in 1999. The purpose of the day is to promote pet adoptions “in a positive and proactive way.” Take your dog to work day! I thought about it, and then decided my dog’s day was better than mine. So instead of bringing... Read more
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