Today’s post will be a collection of thoughts of the students participating in the mission trip. I will do my best to provide context to their thoughts where needed. I will use their own words but where clarification might be needed, I will do this with the use of [ brackets]. During our mission of … [Read more…]
We rise to another early day, just like our travel days towards Houston. Now we rise to the soundings of a rooster, yes a rooster, here in Houston. Well, some of us hear the rooster, while others can to sleep through just about anything. It had rained overnight and the air is now damp along … [Read more…]
Video Link Audio Link Isaiah 60:1–6 Ephesians 3:1–12 Matthew 2:1–12 Today is the Epiphany of the Lord. The easy route to take today would be to tell you about the Wise Men who visited Jesus, Joseph and Mary and show how the Isaiah and Matthew text can be tied together. I am not going there, … [Read more…]
Based upon the Book, The Purpose of Christmas, by Rick Warren Audio Link Video Link Luke 2:8-14 Matthew 22:34-40 Welcome to our third Wednesday in Advent. It may seem like a very short Advent this year, since we only had three Wednesdays to celebrate and worship. As it so happens, my plans lined up with the … [Read more…]
Based upon the Book, The Purpose of Christmas, by Rick Warren Video Link Audio Link 1John 1:8-10 Romans 7:14-20 When I say the word salvation, what comes to mind? Some of you might say, going to heaven, NOT going to hell, saved from sins, or a variety of other things that take you from something … [Read more…]
Based upon the Book, The Purpose of Christmas, by Rick Warren Audio Link Video Link Genesis 1:26-27 Ecclesiastes 3:1-2, 4b, 5d, 8a Luke 2:8-14 John 3:16-17 On this first Wednesday of Advent, we receive good news worth a celebration, one where we anticipate that upon the birth of God incarnate in Jesus of Nazareth, we … [Read more…]
Video Link to Sermon Audio Link to Sermon Malachi 4:1–2a 2 Thessalonians 3:6–13 Luke 21:5–19 Matthew 25:1-10 Matthew 24:42-43 Matthew 24:36 Last week when Jesus was asked a direct question, He never really answered the question at all. Then of course, the Sadducees were looking for details, not at the big picture as Jesus was … [Read more…]
We are now headed into Advent, waiting the anticipated arrival of a Savior for all of humanity. Sure, we have a bigger picture than the kings who sought out the baby Jesus and of the shepherds who received the good news from the angels. We can still experience this excitement if we are willing to … [Read more…]
Luke 19:1-11 I thought it might be helpful to have some background on me, to help you understand the perspectives I bring to the text today. I grew up un-churched. In fact I would say I was an atheist. I would get infuriated when I would see or hear things like “In God we trust”, … [Read more…]
Reformation Sunday Jeremiah 31:31-34 Psalm 46:1-11 Romans 3:19-28 John 8:31-36 Audio Version Video Version Last week pastor spoke about wrestling with faith. We heard the story of Jacob being renamed after wrestling all night with a man who in the end gives another name to Jacob, which is Israel. As we heard, Israel means, one … [Read more…]