When Our Disobedience Comes Back to Bite Us

July 19, 2013 By Josh Daffern

Everything we do has consequences. Although we might not see it immediately, our disobedience always comes back to bite us. Look no further than King Saul. In 1 Samuel 15, Saul was given explicit instructions to destroy the Amalekites for their sin and treatment of Israel. Men, women, property, livestock. Nothing was to be left. Instead, Saul disobeyed God. “Then Saul attacked the Amalekites all the way from Havilah to Shur, near the eastern border of Egypt. He took Agag king of the Amalekites... Read more

How to Cultivate Your Fear of God

July 17, 2013 By Josh Daffern

“Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13) On Monday’s post, we looked at four signs that we fear man more than we fear God. Today, we’ll look at four ways we can cultivate our all important fear of God: 1. Get some perspective. Here’s what Jesus says in Matthew 10:28, “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One... Read more

Four Signs You Fear Man More Than God

July 15, 2013 By Josh Daffern

Last week I started a sermon series at Mt Vernon Church called “Mission Creep,” looking at things that can distract us from the mission that Christ gave us before he left earth (Great Commission of Matthew 28:18-20). The first issue we talked about was King Saul and the fear of man. God rejected Saul as King over Israel when he disobeyed God and gave into the fear of man. Or, in Saul’s own words, Then Saul said to Samuel, “I have... Read more

Mission Creep

July 12, 2013 By Josh Daffern

Back in 1992, the US responded to the worsening famine in Somalia by sending in troops to help deliver food and humanitarian supplies to those who needed it. Simple, clear cut. A year and a half later, 18 US soldiers were killed in the Battle of Mogadishu (more popularly known as Black Hawk Down). The term given to describe such a massive drift in mission was “mission creep.” Mission creep is the tendency for a task to become wider in... Read more

How a Playdate Can Change a Life

July 10, 2013 By Josh Daffern

It’s the little things that can change a life. A few weeks ago at Mt Vernon Church, we had the privilege of baptizing Jennifer. What I love about her story is how it all hinged on a divinely appointed playdate with a Christian that changed her perspective on God. Keep doing the little things, and watch God turn our everyday obedience into the miraculous. Read more

Park Stevens Funeral Message

July 8, 2013 By Josh Daffern

This past Saturday, I preached at a funeral for one of our college students who tragically lost his life. Over 700 were there for the service, but for those who missed it, or for those who’ve ever lost someone too soon, here’s the text of the sermon I shared: As we come here to remember and celebrate the life of Park Stevens, I know there is one question that stands preeminent in our thoughts: why? Why did this tragedy have... Read more

Young Patriots: The Remarkable Story of Two Men, Their Impossible Plan, and the Revolution that Created the Constitution, by Charles Cerami

July 4, 2013 By Josh Daffern

Originally posted August 7, 2012 Young Patriots is a riveting account of the creation of the Constitution. No seriously, I think this stuff is interesting. The Constitution, which modern Americans take for granted almost as an afterthought, was and continues to be a revolution in the grand scope of human history. Many modern readers assume that the Constitution was in place immediately after Americans won their independence in 1776. Not so. The Constitution wasn’t written and ratified until 1788, a... Read more

The Savior Generals, by Victor Davis Hanson

July 3, 2013 By Josh Daffern

The Savior Generals is an incredible perspective of a unique set of generals: five men who saved wars that were lost. While military commanders such as Napoleon, Washington, or Eisenhower all deserve their due, the five chosen for this book all came into wars at the point where they were all but lost and salvaged incredible victory from certain defeat. Themistocles – This ancient Athenian general saved classical Greek civilization from annihilation by the conquering Persian army. King Xerxes and his... Read more

The Most Valuable Commodity in the World

July 1, 2013 By Josh Daffern

Over 25,000 Americans commit suicide each year. Over one million will try but only one out of fifteen will succeed. It is the tenth highest killer in the U.S. More will die by suicide than by murder. There are over 5,000 suicides among teenagers each year. Some 10,000 college students will attempt suicide in a year. It is the second highest cause of death among young people aged 15-24, surpassed only by accidents. Thirteen young adults each day consider life... Read more

If God Could Use Them, He Can Use You

June 26, 2013 By Josh Daffern

What do Moses, David, and Paul all have in common? These names represent some of the best men written about in the Bible. God spoke to Moses face to face (Num. 12:8). The Bible calls David a man after God’s own heart (1 Sam. 13:14). Paul was privileged with writing almost half of the New Testament. When you look at their accomplishments, their heroics are almost mythical: Moses called down the plagues on Egypt and parted the Red Sea; David... Read more