Getting a Spiritual Self-Exam July 31, 2015 Year B 1 Corinthians 11:27-34 On a regular basis (usually yearly), one goes to the doctor for what is called a physical. One goes to get “a physical.” A medical professional examines your eyes, ears, nose, and throat. S/He looks over your entire body. S/He tests your heart and your blood. S/He does a variety of tests to see how your body is functioning. When everything is ok, you are given a “clean... Read more
Star Trek: Generations (1994) MOVIE SUMMARY Captain Picard, with the help of supposedly dead Captain Kirk, must stop a madman willing to murder on a planetary scale in order to enter an energy ribbon. MOVIE THEMES The True Source of Joy In this film, Kirk and Picard meet in an extra-dimensional realm known as the Nexus, where dreams and thoughts can become reality. An energy ribbon that orbits through the galaxy is the only known gateway into... Read more
Hebrews 13:8 Following Jesus Is the Ultimate Life The points of this sermon come from the Gospel Light SonWest Roundup Vacation Bible School.1 The origins of Vacation Bible School can be traced back to Hopedale, Illinois in 1894. Sunday school teacher D. T. Miles, who also was a public school teacher, felt she was limited by time constraints in teaching the Bible to children. So, she started a daily Bible school to teach children during the summer. The first Bible... Read more
Romans 12:1-2 Christian Dedication This is the fourth “therefore” in the letter. Romans 3:20 is the “therefore” of condemnation, declaring that the whole world is guilty before God. Romans 5:1 is the “therefore” of justification, and Romans 8:1 the “therefore” of assurance. In Romans 12:1, we have the “therefore” of dedication, and it is this dedication that is the basis for the other relationships that Paul discussed in this section.1 This progression of salvation in the book of Romans... Read more
What Every Christian Should Know About Same-Sex Attraction What Every Christian Should Know About Same-Sex Attraction by Rob Phillips sets its purpose with the subtitle: A Biblical Primer for the Local Church. In nine short chapters, Phillips provides a helpful guide for Christians. Because of the recent Supreme Court ruling recognizing same-sex marriage, this book provides the necessary help to contend for the faith in a changing culture. Phillips opens the first chapter with the contention that “carrying a... Read more
Man of Steel (2013) MOVIE SUMMARY A baby born on the planet Krypton is sent to Earth. He grows up with special abilities. People from the planet Krypton come to destroy this Superman. MOVIE THEMES Superman as Christ-Figure This movie makes a deliberate attempt to compare the life of Superman (also known as Kal-El) to Jesus Christ. Both come from another world. Both are raised by Earthly parents (Joseph is Clark Kent‘s father just as he is Jesus’ earthly... Read more
Give THANKS to God July 22, 2015 Year B It is the middle of the summer, so the idea of a harvest time when one gives thanks for a great crop seems a bit far away. However, it is still a great practice to give thanks to God. He is worthy of our gratitude even when we are not reminded by a holiday. One might think: how can I give thanks to God? This psalm describes six different ways one... Read more
Psalm 24:1-10 God’s Ecology “The earth and everything in it, the world and its inhabitants, belong to the Lord; for He laid its foundation on the seas and established it on the rivers.” (Psalm 24:1–2, HCSB) In environmental science, we learned that in order to take care of the Earth that God has given us, we can do three things: reduce, re-use, recycle. From this text, I want us to see how God takes care of us. God... Read more
Paying Attention Has Its Benefits Paying Attention Has Its Benefits is a Lectionary simple thought reflection from Psalm 85:8-13 about the benefits of listening to God. July 9, 2015 Year B Psalm 85:8-13 When you pay attention to someone in authority to you and do what they tell you, benefits will follow. Why is this so? Because only the person you pay attention to can help you. If instead, you choose not to pay attention, then you will make mistakes... Read more
The Challenge of Interdependence The Challenge of Interdependence is a sermon from Luke 18:18-30 about the importance of teamwork. Yesterday we celebrated Independence Day at the church. We had a great time with hot dogs, ice cream, water slide, and fireworks. Thank you to everyone who helped to make it a great success. We celebrated the fundamental holiday for our nation – a day when we broke off from the tyranny of Great Britain. We wrote a set of documents... Read more
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