Mission, Day 3 – Houston

I failed to mention this in the previous posts.  Each day we start off with devotion to set the tone for the day.  I lead the devotions and I do not have a laid out pattern for what will be read in the morning.  I have just been letting the Spirit guide and guide it … [Read more…]

Mission, Day 2 – Houston, Student Thoughts

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…]

Mission, Day 1 – Houston

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…]

Houston Here We Come!

We have left Platteville and headed out on our mission trip to serve in urban ministries of Houston TX. Although there were some very tired people this morning, there was still excitement to hit the road. We have made it to Missouri on I-35. Now it is time to fill the van and our tummies! … [Read more…]

Vision, Being the Light to the Nations

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…]

The Purpose of Christmas: Time for Reconciliation

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…]

The Purpose of Christmas: Time for Salvation

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…]

The Purpose of Christmas: Time for Celebration

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…]

God Protects us…Mission and the Big Picture

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…]