If you boiled it all down, stripped everything away, lost the church buildings, programs, Bible studies, choirs, lights, steeples, and every other comfort item from religion, what’s following Jesus really about? We like completing a task, crossing a finish line, an end goal to shoot for. Life would be so much simpler (and more manageable) if following Jesus was a short sprint, a 100 yard dash, something we could complete with a short burst of energy and then move onto other... Read more
There are a lot of similarities between Zeke and Tomas. Both are boys born in the same year. Both love to play sports, learn, and play with their friends. At 8 years old, they are both full of life and bursting with energy. Zeke and Tomas have never met, but their lives are forever intertwined. Tomas lives in a slum community in the Dominican Republic. He’s a Haitian refugee that had no chance at an education or a way to... Read more
A fan of popular culture will recognize the name Russell Brand, British comedian, one-time husband of singer Katy Perry, infamous partier and admitted porn addict. His life plays out like a frat party gone off the rails. And yet last week he came out with an incredibly coherent, detailed, and researched based rant against the evils of pornography. Trying to turn over a new leaf, Brand is amazingly candid about his own struggles with pornography. Communicating the evils of pornography in the... Read more
If you type “Jesus” into Google, here are some of the images you’ll come up with. It showcases how we place our cultural assumptions onto Jesus. Watch the video below to see some of my favorites: https://vimeo.com/121149067 Read more
As part of our new sermon series The Jesus I Never Knew Sunday I challenged Mt Vernon to read the book of Mark in one sitting and share their thoughts. It took me about 45 minutes this morning to read through the book of Mark. Here’s what struck me: The crowds were quick to materialize. The poorest of the poor, it must have been a region and people desperate for any good news. I think Jesus would have had a... Read more
Growing up church sanctuaries were hallowed, untouchable places. From the stained glass to the pews to the chandeliers, the furniture makeup was unchangeable. I could never quite find the Bible verse that said that the church sanctuary had to look like that, but I always assumed it was somewhere in the book of 2 Opinions. In contrast the meeting rooms for kids and youth were always spartan in comparison. Cinderblock walls, a few posters or bean bags if we were... Read more
Here is the final sermon in our series Comparison Trap. Enjoy! https://vimeo.com/120493928 Read more
Last Thursday was a great reminder for me of what the gospel is supposed to be about. It’s not just for the well-manicured families we typically think of when we think of church. It’s for everyone (at least it’s supposed to be). It’s for the high and mighty and the down and out. Last Thursday I was reminded of that. The day started with a text from one of our church members saying she recently had a conversation with a member of... Read more
How many people does it take to come together behind one baptism? How many people affect the spiritual journey of one life? Watch this video to find out. https://vimeo.com/120514843 Read more
We all have a mirror, something or someone that we use to gauge our self-worth. The question is, what’s your mirror? Watch the video below to learn more: https://vimeo.com/119864773 Read more
New Wineskins
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