Remembering the Past...
Planning the Future
Planning the Future
Park Christian Church(Disciples of Christ)
Park Christian ChurchJuly 18, 2010
Luke 10:38-42
Martha is the doer of two sisters. Mary is content to just be. When Jesus visits their home one day tensions boil over. Do you hear anything about the life of the church in this story? There is a great to do in the life of faith. Does it get in the way of simply being with Jesus?
July 11, 2010
Luke 10:25-37
We're so familiar with Jesus' story of the "Good" Samaritan that we practically miss how much he is trying to shake us out of our prejudices. The truth is that if we are going to fulfill our mission and calling, we have to listen to what he is saying again.
July 4, 2010
2 Kings 5:1-14
It is easy to let success in our lives lead us to believe that we have earned respect, possessions, comfort, even God's favor. The story of Naaman demonstrates how that attitude gets in the way of truly knowing and experiencing God who calls us to humility and justice.
June 27, 2010
Galatians 5:1, 13-25
We tend to believe that we have to live a pleasing life to God in order for God to accept us and love us. Paul argues that we are not free to choose that kind of life with all of the influences upon us and that we have to first accept that God has already accepted and loved us through the cross in order to be free to live and love and God desires.
June 20, 2010
Mark 5:21-24, 35-43
When a certain father desperately sought out Jesus to heal his dying daughter, he demonstrated something of what divine fathering is all about. Fathers can learn from this. We can all learn about God through this.
June 13, 2010
Luke 7:36-8:3
Jesus acted rather unexpectedly as a guest in Simon's house as a woman with a bad reputation in town lavished her love upon him. In the end, Jesus assumed the bad reputation on her behalf, that she might be made whole. He does the same for us.
June 6, 2010
Galatians 1:11-24
Paul had a bad reputation--and one well-deserved. People tried to use his past against him. It turns out that the story of his redemption was so much more powerful than the story of his past. For all of us, it is true. The proof is in the pudding.
May 30, 2010
1 Kings 18:20-39
It is easy to look around, see what others have, believe they are happy, and then chase after things that turn out to be false gods. It was the experience of the people of Israel. It is the experience of us. But, we already have what we're looking for.
May 16, 2010
Acts 16:16-34
If this ministry of Jesus Christ involves setting people free, it is not always going to be popular. In fact, it will run headlong into opposition on occasion. And people will try to silence the church or water down its message.
May 9, 2010
Acts 16:9-15
In the life of the church many women are mothers to us, and we celebrate them on Mother's Day. Many are like Lydia in that they provide strong spiritual leadership. But, women also display something of the divine motherhood of God. We are born of the Spirit, after all.
May 2, 2010
John 13:31-35
On the last night of his life, Jesus commanded that his disciples love one another. Commandment is a strong word. And the dying words of a man are important. Jesus was very serious about this. We should begin, then, with understanding his love fore us.
April 25, 2010
Acts 9:36-43
When Peter brought Tabitha back to life he was beginning to live into the ministry of Jesus Christ like never before. This is the same Peter that stumbled and faltered before. Jesus trusts us! And Jesus need us to be his hands in ministry to a broken world.
April 18, 2010
Acts 9:1-20
When the risen Christ confronted Saul on the road to Damascus, he knew exactly what he was getting as a new disciple. When Saul became Paul, the man really redirected his life in a direction guided by Jesus. It is the same for us.
April 11, 2010
Acts 5:27-32
The resurrection of Jesus gives his followers a bold confidence to speak and act without fear of consequence. Pastor David likewise would like to speak up regarding a misunderstanding of human identity within the church.
April 4, 2010
Acts 10:34-43
Peter discovers that the resurrection occurring in his own life makes him as much of the story of faith as anything. We are all part of Jesus' resurrection and our stories continue to impact the world in need of being resurrected, too.
March 28, 2010
Luke 19:28-40
Luke's version of Palm Sunday is curiously different from the others, which tells us that he wants us to pay attention to something else. Maybe Jesus' disciples were holding a demonstration of sorts to proclaim that Jesus challenges everything we've every known.
March 21, 2010
Matthew 25:31-46
Jesus warns that people will be judged like a shepherd separates sheep from goats according to the ways that they took care of others in their life. So, are you a sheep or a goat? Would you act differently if you understood that you were serving Jesus himself instead of other people?
March 7, 2010
"Take Care of Yourself--Spirit"
1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
Is you prayer life what you want it to be? Is it anything like praying without ceasing? And how is your practice of reading scripture? Would any of that change if you really did sense that God was always present with you and nothing like the God you've learned to run away from?
February 28, 2010
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Do we ever put taking care of ourselves physically into the framework of faith? Paul says that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and should be treated accordingly.
February 21, 2010
Philippians 2:1-13
As we learn to follow Jesus more faithfully we are confronted with letting our minds be like his mind. But, it means letting go of values and lessons instilled in us very deeply.
February 14, 2010
Luke 5:27-32
If we are all judged according to the people we associate with, it says something rather remarkable about Jesus. He chose to keep company with folks from every walk of life.
February 7, 2010
Luke 5:1-11
Simon Peter had a terrifying experience to recognize that he was in the presence of the Living God. We can feel the same. But, Jesus says, "Do not be afraid." And that is the basis for how God can use each of us to be catchers of people.
January 31, 2010
Luke 4:21-30
Jesus doesn't always say what we want to hear. It almost got him killed in his own hometown. But, Jesus cannot save us by always fitting into our expectations.
January 24, 2010
1 Corinthians 12:12-31a
Paul describes how the church is supposed to function as one living organism. There are many things that prevent us from doing so. It is time for us to get beyond them and do ministry in Jesus' name like never before.
January 17, 2010
Isaiah 62:1-5
God's prophet spoke grand words about the future of a city in ruins. It says a great deal about the kind of hope that people of faith are called to live in.
January 10, 2010
Luke 3:15-17, 21-22
Jesus' entire ministry began with the moment of baptism. It was like that experience gave him purpose and meaning to do all that he did. And we can connect or reconnect with that as well.
January 3, 2010
John 1:10-18
The Bible says that we came into being through Christ, yet we did not know him. Could it be that we are actually so much more than we ever allowed ourselves to believe, and that Jesus helps us to see that?
December 27, 2009
Luke 2:41-52
When the boy Jesus astounded the folks in the temple with his wisdom and understanding he revealed the essence and calling of his entire life--which is something we would all do well to pay attention to.
December 24, 2009
"The Little Gift" (Christmas Eve Sermon)
Luke 2:1-20
It is not easy for us to stay connected to the presence of God. Yet, the Christmas story breaks into our lives as a clear message that God is always right here.
December 6, 2009
Luke 1:68-79
When Zechariah prophesied about his infant son's life (John the Baptist) he demonstrated how his life was changed. Do we look forward to the meaning of Christmas with life-changing expectation?
November 29, 2009
Jeremiah 33:14-16
This season, like faith itself, is about hope in God's promises. Like faith, hope has a tangible look to it. If you have faith, if you have hope, you will be acting on your anticipation.
November 22, 2009
Luke 17:11-19
Only one of ten people that Jesus healed returned to give thanks. That sounds about right given our track record for giving thanks to God. Yet, Jesus said only that one was made "well",
November 15, 2009
Mark 13:1-8
When events in life become overwhelming, it is easy to think that everything is going to pot. Get some perspective and discover how your pain can empower you to do ministry.
November 8, 2009
Mark 12:38-44
Would you be relieved if the story about the "Widow's Mite" were not about giving all your money to the church? It's not. But, you might have to give even more than that!
November 1, 2009
Ruth 1:1-18
The families that we choose to be our own always bring with them gods that we worship in some way or another. Jesus created a family of faith for this reason.
October 25, 2009
Mark 10:46-52
We tend to think that we've got to get things cleaned up and presentable before approaching God. But, God values our honesty because it opens us up. It is also the sign of a true and deep relationship.
October 18, 2009
Mark 10:35-45
Asking what's in it for me, like a couple of Jesus' disciples did once, is not as absurd as it sounds. It's reasonable most of the time. But, faith calls us to ask what's in it for God!
October 11, 2009
Hebrews 4:12-16
The Christian claims regarding the divine nature of Jesus are not just the stuff of doctrines. They are radically spiritual claims about how well God knows us and loves us.
September 27, 2009
Mark 9:38-50
Jesus is very serious about his followers living out their faith authentically. Doing so invites others to experience God's grace. Not doing so pushes them away.
September 20, 2009
Mark 9:30-37
Jesus used a little child as an illustration of what the kingdom of God is all about. Well, he's using us, too, as object lessons for the world if we are willing.
September 13, 2009
Mark 8:27-38
Life, even the life of faith is mixed with moments of grace and moments of trial. Jesus reminded Peter that he was on his way to die in the midst of a great spiritual moment. How we'd like to have it another way!
September 6, 2009
Mark 7:24-37
Jesus crosses borders to heal folks that aren't his own people. We like that when he's crossed the border of sin for us. Are we prepared to do the same for others?
August 23, 2009
Ephesians 6:10-20
Paul uses the imagery of a soldier's armor to make several points about the life of faith. It is meant to give us the courage to live abundantly!
August 16, 2009
1 Kings 2:10-12, 3:3-14
God offered to give Solomon anything he asked for. Can you imagine? What would you say? Solomon asked for wisdom in order to do the task God called him to do. Good advice!
August 9, 2009
John 6:35, 41-51
Do you find it odd that the Bible has very little to say about what eternal life is after death? Maybe the point for us now is to embrace eternal life now as a pattern for living here and now.
July 26, 2009
"Fish Sandwiches for Everyone"
John 6:1-15
When Jesus feeds 5,000 in John's gospel, there are two very different responses from his disciples--belief and disbelief. Which attitude is yours?
July 19, 2009
Ephesians 2:11-22
The gospel call us to see ourselves and the world around us in a new and refreshing way. God chose to dwell among us--so no human is anything less than sacred and there is no basis for division.
July 12, 2009
"Home Is Where You Hang Your Hat"
2 Samuel 6:1-5
When David brought the ark to Jerusalem for the first time it was a way of putting God at the center of his life and the life of the people. How do you keep God at the center?
July 5, 2009
Mark 6:1-13
There are many reasons that the messengers of good news are not welcomed. Some cannot be avoided. Other times it is good to consider that the messenger is the message.
June 28, 2009
Mark 5:21-43
Jesus was inundated with suffering in Galilee. And he was trying to get away for a while. But, compassion called him to pay attention--which is true for us as well.
June 14, 2009
1 Samuel 15:34-16:13
When God had the prophet Samuel name little David as the successor to Saul on the throne, it was not the obvious choice. But, God looks on the human heart. That's good news for us.
June 7, 2009
John 3:1-17
We often think of faith as an instant thing. You don't have it one moment and then you do have it. The story of Nicodemus demonstrates faith as a lifelong process.
May 31, 2009
Acts 2:1-13
As part of the 5 S Experiment, Wind is an exploration with God's children of all ages on the power of the Holy Spirit to draw us into the life of God.
May 17, 2009
Acts 10:44-48
God is not as predictable as we would like to think. So unpredictable, in fact, that God will do whatever is necessary to reach folks and claim them. Perhaps the church should as well.
May 10, 2009
1 John 4:7-21
If we could possibly get our heads and hearts around the radical nature of God's love for us we would live in a completely different way. Love as God loves.
May 3, 2009
1 John 3:16-24
If we say that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, we are making a claim about the underlying order of God's world being rooted in love. And our lives are to patterned on that love.
April 19, 2009
John 20:19-31
Thomas, the one who famously doubted the resurrection, probably expressed the doubts of most people. It's a hard thing to grasp without experiencing for yourself.
April 12, 2009
1 Corinthians 15:1-11
The resurrection of Jesus is not simply a claim about a historical event. It is a spiritual reality that defines the Christian life. We are Easter people.
April 9, 2009
Matthew 26:17-30
This was the man's last meal. Says a lot. Says a lot about what he chose to eat and who he chose to eat it with. What if you were invited to that table?
March 1, 2009
From the Sermon Series "Lenten Journey: Where Are We Going?"
God is often described in the Bible as One that experiments in order to achieve outcomes with us. The changes in our church are one such experiment. Let's be open to experimenting ourselves to make it work.
February 15, 2009
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
We can learn something of the life of faith by watching gifted athletes. It could be that their discipline and training is something like prayer, study, community, and service. Will it prepare us better for the challenges of life?
February 8, 2009
Isaiah 40:21-31
For some our mortality causes paralysis and hopelessness. For others mortality is a motivation to make the very most of life. How does that happen and how do we get from one place to the other?
February 1, 2009
Mark 1:21-28
It was a demon that recognized Jesus as the Holy One of God. I wasn't the good folks in synagogue that morning. He has a way of attracting all kinds. I wonder if the church is truly ready for that!
January 25, 2009
Jonah 3:1-5, 10
Jonah, rather reluctantly, warned the people of Nineveh to repent. And that one mention of God's word caused an amazing transformation. Those people, like us, were torn by competing forces within our souls. God can impact that struggle within.
December 21, 2008
Luke 2:1-14
The way Luke tells it, Jesus was born far away from all of the folks in power those days. Down in Bethlehem. In a dirty stable. Not up in Jerusalem. Have you considered that God loves you so much to find you wherever you might be?
December 14, 2008
John 1:6-8, 19-21
It's hard to see the true light. What with all the other lights beaming towards us all the time. John the Baptist was able to understand this and point the way to the true light. Our challenge is to do the same.
December 7, 2008
Isaiah 40:1-11
We don't like to wait. And we quite expect that God is going to redeem us right away. It might take some time to untangle the messes that we bring before God. Kind of like a big ball of Christmas lights waiting to be hung on the tree.
November 30, 2008
Mark 13:24-37
A lot of folks put time and energy into predicting this or that is the sign of Christ's return. But, what if we lived, as a spiritual practice, as if that return was at any moment. Indeed, it is at every moment if we'd only open our eyes.
November 23, 2008
Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24
There is a great deal of talk about God's blessings upon us at this time of year. And we have so much to be thankful for. While we recognize the giver of every blessing in our lives, do we recognize the purpose of every blessing? We are blessed in order to bless.
November 16, 2008
Matthew 25:14-30
Are you living out of fear? Playing it safe? Keeping your gifts to yourself? Or, are you risking yourself? Believing in possibilities? Excited about opportunities? The difference from a faith perspective is critical.
November 2, 2008
1 Thessalonians 2:9-13
It's in our hands to preach the good news. Certainly that means speaking about our faith. But, it's so much more than that. It's living our faith and living the good news. It's letting our lives speak in ways no words ever can. So, write your own sermon.
September 28, 2008
Matthew 21:23-32
If this parable that Jesus told is any indication, there's going to be a whole lot of folks in God's Kingdom that we never would have thought--maybe even us! It ought to impact the way we see ourselves and others and how we treat them.
September 21, 2008
Exodus 16:1-15
The Israelites complained of hunger in the wilderness. Moses didn't seem to want to take leadership over the people. But, God heard their very real complaints. Hunger is real. Suffering is real. And God listens to us and responds.
September 7, 2008
Romans 13:8-14
A lot of folks summed up the core message of the good news with the commandments to love God and love your neighbor. Many rabbis did. Jesus did. Paul did, too. But, they weren't just talking about an inward disposition towards other people. This is an active love of doing.
August 31, 2008
Matthew 16:21-28
The Kingdom of God comes with a price for those who will inhabit it. You know the price that Jesus paid. What about you? What does your cross look like?
August 24, 2008
Matthew 16:13-20
There are many things and people and influences from culture claiming to be gods in our lives. And the same was true when Jesus walked with his disciples. To say that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the living God is to acknowledge his life as the revelation of who God is...and ultimately how we will live in response.
August 17, 2008
Genesis 45:1-15
The story of Joseph is a twisting tale of folks doing the wrong things and Joseph winding up in the right place at the right time because of it all. And Joseph credits God for the entire journey. But, that's got to cause us to ask some deep questions. Is God controlling the world, even when people do the wrong things? Or is God somehow just always trying to work through the messes we make?
August 3, 2008
Romans 9:1-5
Paul is distressed. He's a Jew, you see. And he can't make sense of why his own people do not see Jesus as Messiah. They are his people. He loves them. And we know what that's like to be heartbroken for people we love. Maybe we get a sense of God's life and love for all of us in that.
July 27, 2008
Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52
Jesus tells parables about the Kingdom of Heaven. And it seems that the thing is here, there, everywhere, but we don't take notice of it many times. Faith is at times a matter of perspective. Can you see it? Are you willing to see it?
July 20, 2008
Genesis 28:10-19a
Jacob erected a stone in the place where God's presence was stunningly apparent to him. It's a reminder of a powerful spiritual experience. We need ways to draw us back to those moments in our own lives. The cross itself is such a way.
July 13, 2008
"Hard Times and Bad Decisions"
Genesis 25:19-34
Esau sells his birthright to brother Jacob when he is hungry. We do that. We make bad decisions when times are tough. We are governed by anxiety more often than we are governed by purpose and call. Jesus says to live each day as a gift, not worrying over fears and anxieties.
July 6, 2008
Romans 7:15-25a
Paul laments about how he finds himself, against his will, doing what he does not want to do. Sin. Sound familiar? And even when we feel closest to God it seems that evil can track us down! Truth is that we're not capable of perfection. We need God to save us. That's what the cross means, you know.
June 29, 2008
1 Corinthians 4:1-5
Living life according to the desires and expectations of others is a hard way to go. Often, people do not push us to go in the direction God is calling us. The examples from our faith stories point towards life lived on God's terms, which isn't easy, either. But, it's got a lot more integrity.
June 8, 2008
Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26
Jesus calls Matthew, a tax collector, to be one of his disciples. Turns out that God is interested in coming after us. We usually think it's us that have to find God. But, maybe God's trying to find us! What would your life look like if you saw God running after you?
May 18, 2008
Genesis 22:1-14
Tough story to get your head around--God tests Abraham's faith by asking him to sacrifice his son, Isaac. Let's debunk some of those incorrect images of God all around us that hurt us deeply. And, then, let's discover the depth of a God that will go to any lengths to find us and love us.
May 11, 2008
1 Corinthians 3:b-13
Paul teaches about the variety of gifts by the Holy Spirit so that the early, troubled church and Corinth will understand how vital each one is to the whole community. Likewise, each of us has been gifted by God for ministry in the church...and to the whole world. You are a gift!
April 27, 2008
Acts 17:22-31
Paul takes the gospel of Christ to the center of the intellectual universe--Athens. He relates to them by noting the connections between the gospel and ancient Greek philosophies. We share a universal truth with the old Stoics--God is always near to us! That's good news.
April 13, 2008
Acts 2:42-47
The disciples began to attract thousands of people after the resurrection. It was the first church. And it was a gathering of folks from all walks of life. The church of Jesus Christ is a place where you belong, no matter where you're coming from.
April 6, 2008
Luke 24:13-25
Following the resurrection, Jesus met two disciples on the road to Emmaus. They didn't recognize him until he broke bread with them. It's why we do it every Sunday...so that we can meet Jesus in the community gathered around the table.
March 30, 2008
Matthew 28:11-20
After the resurrection, Jesus gave to the disciples the Great Commission. What does that mean for us here at Park? How do we see transformation in our church to meet this mission that Jesus has given to us. I have some thoughts.
March 23, 2008
Matthew 28:1-10
Easter morning begins in the pain and despair of the graveyard. And that's where the angel said, "He's not here." What if resurrection was here and now for you and me? Would we live any differently?
March 16, 2008
Matthew 21:1-11
That Jesus was welcome as Savior and then abandoned for not being exactly what folks wanted shouldn't surprise us. We do it, too. But, we can also see the world transformed when we don't.
March 9, 2008
Ezekiel 37:1-14
If God can breathe life into the dried bones of the ancient Israelites who were scattered in exile, surely God can breathe life into us, too. In fact, God seems to search us our in those barren places, which is exactly what we think God won't do!
March 2, 2008
Ephesians 5:8-14
Christ is light. And we become light as those in whom Christ's spirit dwells. But, that light sure can expose some stuff in our lives that we need to deal with. Isn't that what Lent is all about?
February 24, 2008
John 4:5-42
This Christ will cross all kinds of boundaries to bring us salvation. That's radical enough. But, the places where he finds us just might be the keys to our understanding our meaning, purpose, and ministry to the world.
February 17, 2008
Genesis 12:1-4
When God called Abram to leave his home and family and be the start of a nation of God's people, Abram was already 75 years old. That ought to say something to us in this world where youth and good looks seem to be the only things that matter.
February 10, 2008
Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-7
The story of Adam and Eve is our story, isn't it? We're sinners, alright. But, if that were the only truth about us, what hope would we have?
February 3, 2008
Matthew 17:1-9
Like the transfiguration of Jesus was with three disciples, we all have moments of clarity. For a time the presence of God and the kingdom of God is so real and revealing. We have to hold on to those.
January 20, 2008
1 Corinthians 1:1-9
Paul is about to say some very difficult things to the church at Corinth. But, he begins by reminding them of the blessings that they have. It's a good model for conflict resolution. It is also important for us to know the good news of God in our lives.
December 2, 2007
Isaiah 2:1-5
What would the coming of Christ look like if we could live Advent with real expectation. Isaiah proclaimed it would be a time of peace on the earth. What is your Christmas wish list?
November 18, 2007
Isaiah 65:17-25
The good news offers to us a vision of not only what shouldbe, but what will be. Faith proclaims that what is coming to pass is real, no matter how distant it seems.
November 11, 2007
Haggai 1:15b-2:9
After the exile, the people were a bit lazy about rebuilding the Temple. Perhaps they thought all of that spirituality stuff could wait until everything else was taken care of in their lives. Ever make that mistake?
November 4, 2007
Luke 19:1-10
Jesus spots the short tax collector Zacchaeus up in a sycamore tree and decides to befriend the hated man. Salvation is many things. One of them is inclusion into the human community after all that we have done.
October 21, 2007
Luke 17:11-19
Jesus healed ten lepers. Only one of them responded with thanksgiving and praise to God (and he was a Samaritan!). We have to keep living the Christian life even if we don't think we're experiencing great results around us.
October 7, 2007
Psalm 137
Finding yourself surrounded by values and practices that are not your own can be quite disheartening. The exiled Israelites expressed this. Or, you can see it as incredible opportunity.
September 30, 2007
Jeremiah 32:1-15
In the middle of a great crisis, Jeremiah buys a piece of land as an investment in the future. Faith can look foolish like that. It proclaims hope in the midst of hopelessness.
September 16, 2007
"The Lost and Found Department"
Luke 15:1-10
The parable of the lost sheep is cherished by all of us. If the Good Shepherd is out looking for us, what incredible love that is on the part of God for each and every one of us.
September 9, 2007
Jeremiah 18:1-11
God can work through the disasters and missteps in our lives to reshape us into greater vessels of grace and love. The problem is that it can be a painful process!
September 2, 2007
Luke 14:1, 7-14
There is ancient wisdom regarding the rewards of humility. But a truly humble life isn't in if for the selfish gains. It imitates God in its love for all of the world.
August 19, 2007
"Standing on the Shoulders of Giants"
Hebrews 11:29-12:2
The heroes of our faith are likened to a great cloud of witnesses as we compete in life's race. We've got a cheering section! We've got the home-field advantage!
August 12, 2007
Isaiah 1:1, 10-20
The prophet expresses frustration with people who worship extravagantly but ignore the demands of the law to take care of people. Church, are you listening?
August 5, 2007
Colossians 3:1-11
Paul urges us to pattern our lives after the faith that we profess. It means facing up to our sins and repenting. There is a purpose in all of this--God's purpose of giving light to the world.
July 15, 2007
Amos 7:7-17
God called the prophet Amos to speak unpopular words to Israel. Paul would call that speaking the truth in love. Our faith calls us to the difficult task of speaking the truth when it doesn't want to be heard.
July 8, 2007
2 Kings 5:1-14
Elisha heals Naaman, the Syrian army commander, by sending him to bathe in the Jordan river. Have you ever seen that muddy little creek? Does the light of the world really come from that place?
July 1, 2007
Luke 9:51-62
Those who would follow Jesus have to make a very serious commitment. It is not part of who we are--it IS who we are.
June 24, 2007
1 Kings 19:1-15
We think that if God is going to speak or do something that it will be a big production and make the headlines. Maybe we miss the real presence of God in the everyday existence.
June 3, 2007
Mark 1:40-45
Jesus heals a man of a skin disease and tells him to stay silent about it. Of course, he didn't. Like all of us, this man had news that was too good to keep.
May 27, 2007
John 14:8-17, 25-27
The giving of God's Holy Spirit to us places us in a relationship with Jesus Christ that makes us the revealers of God on earth. We are now his body on earth! Your life reveals God to others.
May 13, 2007
Revelation 22:10, 22-22:5
The vision of God's ultimate redemption can do one of two things to us. Does it make us complacent? Or does it motivate us to work to bring about change with God?
May 6, 2007
Revelation 21:1-6
The life of faith requires imagination to hope beyond reason. Can we live as if God has already declared victory over evil? What would that look like?
April 29, 2007
Acts 9:36-43
In the resurrection, Jesus believes in us and trusts us with his ministry to a hurt and broken world. Look at how Peter grew into this role over time.
April 22, 2007
Acts 9:1-20
Saul seems like an unlikely choice to be the apostle to the Gentiles given his violent and relentless persecution of the church. Maybe our past is precisely why God chooses us for ministry to the world.
April 15, 2007
John 20:19-31
So, Thomas is the doubter? Hardly! We all are. We all demand proof of Jesus' resurrection. And the church has to do the work of providing that proof.
April 8, 2007 (Easter Sunday)
John 20:1-18
We love Easter, although we rarely understand it. We love it because we want more than anything to believe in resurrection. And if Jesus is resurrected, maybe we can be, too.
April 5, 2007 (Maundy Thursday)
Luke 22:7-23
The last supper was also an observance of the Passover--a celebration of God's deliverance from slavery. Does Jesus offer us some kind of deliverance and freedom?
April 1, 2007 (Palm Sunday)
Luke 19:28-40
Luke's version of Palm Sunday doesn't really sound like the other gospels. Maybe he wanted to make it clear that this king, Jesus, is on his way to die and that is how we must understand God if we are to develop real faith.
March 25, 2007
Philippians 3:4b-14
Paul's self-righteous past give him the perspective to tell all of us to be humble about God's grace in the cross of Christ. Our goal is to demonstrate God's love to a broken world.
March 18, 2007
Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32
Are you a wandering prodigal or a faithful saint? Either way, the prodigal Father loves you and seeks to open you up to relationship with God and with others.
March 11, 2007
Luke 13:1-9
On his way to Jerusalem, Jesus confronts misconceptions about human suffering. But, he then addresses a central theme in how we use the life that we do have. Life is short. Make the most of it.
March 4, 2007
Philippians 3:17-4:1
Our citizenship is in heaven, Paul says. Yet, we live here in this place. Are we in the world but not of it? We have examples of how to do this, you know.
February 25, 2007
Luke 4:1-13
Temptations find us all the time--seems like there is a devil watching and waiting for our weaknesses. Jesus offers an example for navigating these snares in life.
February 4, 2007
Luke 5:1-11
Evangelism is such a hard thing for most of us. It really seems to have all the drawbacks of fishing! Maybe there is a key to it that Jesus provides.
January 28, 2007
Luke 4:22-30
The good news sounds great until we discover that it is meant for everyone--even our "enemies'. The gospel is difficult for us when it seeks to transform us.
January 21, 2007
Luke 4:14-21
Jesus announces that he is ushering in the year of the Lord's favor--today. Our ministry is in the present. It is not waiting on something and it is not stuck on memories of the past.
January 14, 2007
John 2:1-11
Jesus turns water into wine at a wedding in Cana. Do we believe that such ordinary things can be transformed? How about our own lives? How about our church?
January 7, 2007
Matthew 2:1-12
The magi are actually a strange appearance in the Jesus story. The signal the expansion of God's grace to include all kinds of outcasts. Maybe that will include you and me!
December 31, 2006
Luke 2:41-52
There is something unique and important that God has created in each one of us. We can discover it, nurture it, and give it away to the world--but face a cross doing so. Or, we can neglect it and, perhaps, live safely.
December 24, 2006
Micah 5:2-5a
The foundation of the Christian faith is that God took a risk and revealed that He loved us in the hope that we will respond. We might not. Then again, we might.
December 17, 2006
Isaiah 12:1-6
We must seem like we are out of our minds to talk about things like hope, peace, joy, and love in times like these. Could it be that we trust God will truly enter the world and save us all?
December 10, 2006
Luke 3:1-6
If God's going to speak to us, we'll probably be looking in the wrong places. Peace begins with each of us--not necessarily with the high and mighty.
December 3, 2006
Jeremiah 33:14-16
Hope seems like a silly idea given the evidence of trouble all around us. But, people who hold on to hope do the craziest things--like actually trying to make the world a better place.
November 26, 2006
"A Giving People: The Giving Life"
Mark 12:38-44
We do not give in order to win God's favor and love. We give in response to the favor and love God has already shown us. We live the giving life.
November 19, 2006
"A Giving People: Financial Spirituality"
Luke 16:1-13
Look at how committed and determined are the forces of darkness around us! They ought to demonstrate just how committed we need to be. Our finances tell the story.
November 12, 2006
"A Giving People: The Joy of Providing"
Matthew 7:7-11
We don't give to the church in order to bills and salaries. These are just tools to provide for others as we share the good news of Jesus Christ. Giving should be a joy.
November 5, 2006
"A Giving People: Investing in God"
Matthew 6:24-34
Seek first the Kingdom of God and all these other things will be given to you. Sounds like quite a lot of trust is asked of us. Can we let go and invest in this God?
October 29, 2006
Hebrews 7:23-28
Hebrews imagines that Christ is an eternal high priest, making intercession on our behalf to God. Do we take advantage of Jesus' constant counsel with our honest confessions?
October 15, 2006
Mark 10:17-31
Does God want you to be rich? That sure would be nice. But, Jesus seems to say very troublesome things about wealth. How do we think about finances and faith?
October 8, 2006
Hebrews 1:1-4, 2:5-12
The Christian confession is that Christ is both divine and human. What are the implications of that? God has experienced the trials of human life!
September 24, 2006
Mark 9:30-37
We get caught up in a game of "what's in it for me" as if God is at our beck and call. Our faith is a servant's faith, not a master's faith. Go and serve the world.
September 17, 2006
James 3:1-12
The human tongue is a wild and restless beast, according to James. Failure to tame it brings hurt to others and betrays our faith in God. But, it can also speak the good news to a hurting world.
September 10, 2006
Mark 7:24-37
Jesus broke social conventions and prejudiced notions in order to bring healing and wholeness to people. They often were not what others considered acceptable people. Church, are you listening?
September 3, 2006
James 1:17-27
Faith without works is dead! We do not just believe something, we live what we believe. And if God is the giver of all good things, and Jesus offers himself sacrificially, we must live accordingly.
August 27, 2006
Ephesians 6:10-20
Paul says, "Put on the whole armor of God". What is this armor and what does it do for us?
August 20, 2006
1 Kings 2:10-12, 3:3-14
God offered Solomon anything he would ask as he began his reign as king. If you could ask God for anything, what would it be?
August 13, 2006
John 6:35,41-51
Jesus called himself the "bread of life'. Our souls require nourishment, just like our bodies. We seek that nourishment in many places, but only the bread of life will do.
August 6, 2006
Ephesians 4:1-16
The church is (like) the body of Christ. Each part has to function properly in order to it to be effective. That means you and I have to get involved.
July 30, 2006
2 Samuel 11:1-15
Isn't is true that our sins and wrongdoings have a way of multiplying and coming back to haunt us doubly? If we could only see that ahead of time and trust God's leading for our lives.
July 23, 2006
2 Samuel 7:1-14a
Sometimes our intentions and plans sound so good to us that we are not aware of God's calling. Do our priorities and God's priorities match?
July 2, 2006
Luke 18:9-14
Jesus not only sought out sinners, he actually seemed to enjoy their company. That's good news for all of us. But, do we as the church have that same passion?
June 25, 2006
Mark 4:35-41
Peace is not the absence of chaos, but the ability to maintain hope in the midst of it. Jesus offers us that peace in our lives.
June 11, 2006
"Those Who Would Give Light Must Endure Burning"
Isaiah 6:1-8
The life of faith is one of serving, ministering to the world. But, it also calls for us to be refined, purified. Gandhi and King both knew that we must be the change that we are seeking.
June 4, 2006
Acts 2:1-21
Pentecost's variety of tongues shows that the Christian faith is meant to unite all of humanity. Are we still speaking so that everyone can hear and understand?
May 28, 2006
Acts 1:15-17, 21-26
Do we dare let go and trust God? The disciples used what we would call a game of chance to make a very important decision. Do we have that kind of faith?
May 21, 2006
Acts 10:44-48
It seems that God's good news has a way of reaching even those that we have not considered.
May 14, 2006
1 John 4:7-21
That God loves each and every one of us, no matter what, is a radical, revolutionary thing. It is so powerful that it leads us to an enriched life and the healing of the world.