Discerning Disappointment
Psalm 13
Disappointment occurs when experience falls short of our expectation.
Jim Bridgewater had every expectation of depositing a paper bag full of cash at his local bank. But when he pulled up to the drive-through window, instead of picking up the bag of money laying next to him on the seat, he picked up a bag of grass; and I’m not […]
The Wine of Staggering
Psalm 60
Luke 22:14-20
Romans 5:1-11
When was the last time you were astonished, astounded or stunned?
According to Paul Harvey, if you had been in Swan Quarter, NC in September of 1876, you would have been. A small group of Methodist Christians had been meeting in homes and desired to build a church building. As Swan Quarter is located near the Outer Banks, they […]
The Tarnished Planet
Genesis 3:1-19
Job (selected)
According to Oxford Dictionaries, the word ‘tarnish’ means, ‘lose or cause to lose luster, especially as a result of exposure to air or moisture.’ Synonyms listed are: corrode, discolor, oxidize and/or rust. 1
In his book, Rust: The Longest War, Jonathan Waldman takes us chapter by chapter into the world of oxidation and the problem of rust. He tells the story of how America almost lost the Statue of Liberty to corrosion, the constant struggle needed to maintain oil
Expire-ment Planning
Luke 12:13-21
Galatians 5:22-23
Retirees have taken to texting with gusto; they even have their own shorthand:
BFF Best Friend Fainted
CBM Covered By Medicare
FWB Friend With Beta-blockers
LMDO Laughing My Dentures Out
GGPBL Gotta Go, Pacemaker Battery Low!
BYOT Bring Your Own Teeth
You don’t have to be a retiree to be familiar with IRA’s and 401K’s, which have what in common? And the answer […]
Blessing of the Children
Mark 10:13-16
There are many reasons we love children. Here are two of them:
For weeks a six-year-old lad kept telling his first-grade teacher about the baby brother that was expected at his house. One day the mother allowed the boy to feel the movements of the unborn child. The six-year old was obviously impressed, but also looked a little uncertain. And after that day, he stopped telling his teacher about the impending event. The teacher finally sat the boy on her lap and said, “Tommy, whatever became of that baby brother […]
And I Will Be Clean
Psalm 32
Has anyone experienced any joy lately? I began helping my daughter Sarah by taking her daughter Kate to Kindergarten. Sarah has to drop her off an hour before school so we get to hang out. After I took her for a couple of days, Sarah called to say she was working from home and that she would take her. And then later […]
A Tree Full of Monkeys?
Listen to Sermon Audio
Matthew 16:13-19
Ephesians 4:11-16
Guest Speaker: Randy Hall – Gideons International
Listen to Sermon Audio
1 Corinthians 9:19-23
This week we welcome guest speaker, Randy Hall, representing Gideons International.
Care to Risk to Care
John 21:15-19
Galatians 6:2
Said the Master to His disciple, “Do you love Me?”
And the disciple, who had earlier pledged that he was ready to die with his master, said, “Yes, Lord, You know that I love You.”
Jesus said, “Feed My lambs.”
Said the Master to His disciple a second time, “Do you truly love Me?”
And the disciple, […]
Many Parts; One Body!
I Corinthians 12:12-27
Let’s play a little game in which I will provide you with the definition of a word and you come up with the word:
To get paid to watch TV and eat other people’s food while someone’s kid sleeps?’
Hint: Verb BABYSIT
When you’re too young for half the things you want to do and too old to do the rest?
Hint: Noun […]
Apostles All
Mark 3:13-19
Luke 10:1-2
Acts 13:1-3
The noun ‘apostolos’ appears 79 times in the NT; 10 times in the gospels, 28 in Acts, 38 in the letters and 3 in Revelation. This word implies three things that are important for us to understand.
First, it refers to and means ‘one who is sent.’ As Luke has it, first in chapter 9, the 12 […]
Go!
Matthew 28:18-20
Romans 10:10-15
Last Sunday, I was a cheerleader for the church: I celebrate the church of Jesus because it is a great place for people to find community, healing and love. I celebrate the church of Jesus because it provides motivation for the most lasting, valuable, selfless efforts of humankind. I celebrate the church of Jesus, the Christ because it is […]