He Has A Demon – There’s Something Wrong With Him Following Jesus involves sacrifice: “They could not even eat.” “just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.”Matthew 20:28 Following Jesus involves rejection: “He has gone out of his mind.” “But…
A Classic Gen-X Sermon On Being Broken Direction from God one year ago; remind them how much I love them Finding myself asking recently if that message also includes me Speaking with a pastor/mentor; Gen-X preaching – “how broken I am” A Connection: Unworthy of Love, Unworthy of Rest This week’s study & experience stirred…
Schoolhouse Rock & Blind Melon Three is a magic number, Yes it is, it’s a magic number. Somewhere in the ancient, mystic trinity You get three as a magic number. The past and the present and the future. Faith and Hope and Charity, The heart and the brain and the body Give you three…
Reaching The Climax Of The Story Last week we found ourselves in conflict & teased the story’s climax. We’ve been through the Passion, Death, Resurrection, & Ascension … Story comes to a climax when the Spirit arrives & the Church is born! What Was NOT Going On Up There? A 5 Step Church Planting &…
The Conflict Before The Story’s Climax The Easter Resurrection narrative has been carrying us forward these last few weeks, but I have a beef with this week’s Ascension readings. The story comes to the point of Jesus’ rising up into the heavens, but… “And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the…
People Are Hard To Love! Man, people are hard to love, aren’t they? In our workplaces, our neighborhoods, our own families, & even here. And yet Jesus says: As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love… “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have…
The Dude Abides 20 Years Later Do you have a thing that really pulls the room together. Coffee mug quest It’s been 20 years since The Big Lebowski imprinted on our culture The idea of “The Dude Abides” is so strong that it naturally connects. Inspired by an older movie The Night Of The Hunter…
A Story To Connect w/ The Good Shepherd Idea. How many dog people here today? Relating to 1stCentury Shepherds. A Personal Story from my teenage daughter. (she said it was okay.) Relating to Wolves Then & Now. Does It Seem Like The World Is Full Of Hired Hands? The difference between shepherds & hired…
Welcome To The Annual “Doubting” Thomas Sunday. “Doubting” Thomas is a nearly annual fixture in the liturgical year. I’ve been pondering Thomas’ situation; does he just want to belong? He’s no different than the other Disciples; skeptical & wanting to see. Do We Find Comfort/Superiority In Scolding Thomas’ Doubt? What is it in us that…
Congratulations, Lenten Fasts Are Over Did you give up something for Lent? Are you glad it’s over? What I gave up for Lent. What I learned this year. The Spirit still empowers us! Has been needed in my household. Sacrifice can lead to spiritual growth; like a gardener pruning. Pruning prepares us for growth; Jesus…