There’s something about us—as human beings—that cause us to really not like rules! Isn’t that true … with most of us? When you’re late for an appointment, and you’re slamming down on the accelerator to get to that appointment quickly, that stop sign seems almost optional, doesn’t it? It’s almost an annoyance! And … if no other cars are coming, it feels like another ‘silly rule’… However, if you move into that intersection and spot another car coming at you, ignoring the sign—well, then the rules look a lot better!...
Once you’ve lived for a while, you come to realize that there are a handful of pivotal experiences in your life that you will never, ever forget! One of those pivotal experiences is the birth of your children… I’ll never forget our first—Joshua, Pastor of Immanuel UMC, Ripon, Wisconsin. Before Jane and I ever had kids, we began to imagine what it would be like. We’d played with other people’s kids and dreamt of one of our own someday. I know this may sound silly to you, but we not...
In the days of the great Chicago evangelist, Dwight L. Moody, a story is told about the LOVE of GOD. Moody was preaching an evening service one day and a poor drunkard stumbled up the steps to the front door of Moody’s church. He pushed the door open, scanned the room, and saw no one inside. His eyes, however, were drawn to a large sign that hung over the pulpit up front. It read: “GOD IS LOVE.” It struck him—with anger, I might add. He slammed the door, and staggered...
Folks, where have we been during this Season of Lent? Let me refresh your memory. In following The Way: Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus, we first went to: The Jordan River near Jericho … where Jesus was baptized… The Judean Wilderness … where Jesus was tempted for 40 days and nights… His home-base of Capernaum … where Jesus healed the sick (amongst other things)… Walked with him (and Gail) up the mountains … where Jesus taught about the Kingdom of God… Sailed with Jesus across the Sea of Galilee...
Delivered by Gail Ray ‘Any country music fans here? If so, I have a question for you: Do you know what Garth Brooks and Jesus have in common? Every time I hear Garth’s song “Friends in Low Places,” I think of Jesus! Do you? Folks, Jesus was one who often broke bread with the rich and poor alike! He ate with the ‘righteous’ and he ate with the ‘sinners!’ But, their reactions toward him were often quite different; the righteous were often offended by what Jesus had to say …...
Jesus absolutely loved the Sea of Galilee! Did you know that? It’s mentioned in the Gospels more than forty times! And Jesus gets in and out of boats nearly as many times… Then again, at other times, we’ll see Jesus walking on the lake shore. It’s not hard to imagine why this is. The Sea of Galilee is absolutely captivating… When I have a day off—in good weather—one of Jane’s and my favorite things to do is to take our lawn chairs, a picnic lunch, and some reading material …...
Delivered by Gail Ray Today, on the 1st Sunday of Lent, we begin to walk in the footsteps of Jesus. Here, we’ll learn how he related to God the Father and how we need to as well. So, where are his footsteps taking us? We begin today where his ministry began, at the Jordan River… One of the favorite places people love to visit when going to the Holy Land is the Jordan River, especially when they get to be baptized or renew their baptismal vows at that very special...
Delivered by Gail Ray Our Lenten series for this year is based on Pastor Adam Hamilton’s most recent work of the same name (THE WAY: WALKING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF JESUS). You might remember we’ve studied other works from this Kansas City pastor; we went through THE JOURNEY a year ago at Christmas … and last year, during Lent, we studied the last 24 hours of Jesus’ life (24 Hours that Changed the World). ‘THE WAY’ is Hamilton’s final installment in this trinity of work on the life of Christ…...
(Delivered by Julie Piper, in Rom’s absence…) Only the Gospel of Matthew gives us a record of the visit of the Magi (Wise Guys). These ‘wise men’ traveled thousands of miles to see the King of the Jews. When they finally found him, they responded with JOY, worship and gifts. And I have to say this is so different from the approach many people take today. Some expect God to come looking after them, to explain himself or what he’s up to. Some want Jesus to prove who he is...
(Delivered by Gail Ray, in Rom’s absence…) Folks, do you believe that God’s way … is the best way? How ‘bout when it doesn’t make sense to you? Do you still believe that God’s way is the best way? I’m most sure we’ll find out in today’s Bible story that Joseph may have had his doubts … until an angel came to him, who—you guessed it—had a message from God… Our lesson for today comes from the Gospel of Matthew. And the fact that Jesus was born to Mary—even though...
