- Scripture II Corinthians 4:1-7
- Date Sunday, 29 July 2018
This week, we do a little recapping of our VBS during the past week. The Message is inspired from one of the children's lessons that really resonated with me. So, we are using one of the scripture references from VBS and developing it into the Message.
"Send the Light" is partially about our call to missionary work, but not by much. It is really about being the light and understanding what that light is. God defines the light in our II Corinthians text and in Matthew 5. So, we launch from these two texts and explore sending the Light, especially to our communities around us.
I really hope that many of the children who participated this past week will be able to return Sunday morning to help with the songs and stuff. - Scripture Psalm 1
- Date Sunday, 08 July 2018
Launching from the classic poem "The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost, in combination with the first Psalm, I want to discuss choices for this Sunday. Choices exist everyday. For some people, choices are few due to circumstances. For most, choices abound and life is guided by those choices.
In life, we come to the fork in the road as often as choices present themselves. Sometimes these 'forks' are less significant and sometimes, the 'forks' are life changing.
The Psalmist discusses choices and road choices in this first Psalm. These roads chosen are of the life-changing sort. So, I want to spend some time considering this first Psalm carefully. Since we all face these 'forks' this is not a Message to miss.
See you Sunday morning! Wish I could spend the day with you.
- Scripture II Samuel 24:20-25
- Date Sunday, 01 July 2018
Independence Day for the U.S. is on this Wednesday – this nation celebrates July 4th every year – would it mean as much to any of us … if no struggle had been involved in winning our independence? If no lives had been lost … if no sacrifice had been included – what would independence mean, then?
Appreciation for something comes to us when we have to work for it … struggle for it … suffer for it … give up something for it.
What is it to have a Sacrifice of Nothing?
We focus on a really lesson-filled story. David has messed up & repented. But, consequences exist and those consequences are going to impact many, not just David. When we sin, others are always hurt.
David is to offer a sacrifice as a part of his repentence. When all the supplied needed for this sacrifice are offered to David for free ... well, read it yourself and reflect on it. We'll talk about this Sunday morning!
- Scripture I Corinthians 2:2
- Date Sunday, 17 June 2018
This Sunday we wrap up our 4-week series studying Paul's statement to the church in Corinth, drawn from I Corinthians 2:2.
My apologies for being negligent getting each week loaded during the preceeding week. It was not my intention to fall so far behind but the summer has offered challenges unforeseen a time ago.
Anyway, as we finish up studying Paul's statement, we arrive at the crux of the Gospel Message. This Paul knew and hence his desire to focus on the one thing. But, is there more for us here?
We find ourselves in a variety of 'communities'. Paul's message was for the community - here, specifically for the young church in Corinth (among you). Paul was determined (I decided) to share is knowledge of one subject, rather than the many subjects of which he could have shared (to know). The one subject was the Gospel Message. Paul further refines this down to "Jesus Christ and Him crucified."
Back to the various communities in which we find ourselves. When in our various communities, can we decide to know one thing -- Jesus Christ? I know we are tempted to talk and share on many subjects - the news overloads us with biased journalism every day. Can we decide to know one thing? How would society be different if Followers of the Way practiced this? 