We are right in the middle of a series called ‘Christian’ as we begin today. And we’ve been talking about the fact that you could be a Christian and believe just about anything you want, do just about anything you want, and adopt just about any lifestyle you want … because the Bible doesn’t even tell us what a Christian really is. Christian was a term used by those outside the faith … to negatively describe or label those inside the faith, but it wasn’t the term used by Jesus...
I don’t know that much about mountain climbing and ‘no,’ I’m not planning on taking up that sport as a part of my cardiac rehab, but I am quite impressed with those who do climb mountains … especially mountains like Mount Everest! More than 3,000 climbers have made it to the top. But, several thousand have failed—more than 220 dying in the attempt. And the place they most often failed was the South Summit to Hillary Step. There, there’s a knife-edge ridge made of ice, snow, and fragmented shale—10,000 feet...
The train chugged its way through Indiana at twenty-four miles per hour. Now, that doesn’t seem like a terrible speed. That is, until you take into account how long it takes to stop a 6,200-ton train … and what lay upon the tracks ahead. “That’s a baby!” yelled Robert Mohr, the attentive conductor. The engineer, Rodney Lindley, had thought it was a small dog, but the thatch of blonde hair and the colorful clothes made it all clear. Emily Marshall, a child of nineteen months, was playing...
As Charles Dickens said, this is the greatest short story every written! In 22 short verses, we can see ourselves and the ins and outs of our life with God pretty clearly … through the characters in particular. While this story is usually referred to as The Parable of the Prodigal Son, I want to suggest that it’s the FATHER who is the main character—not the son … or sons! The FATHER is mentioned at least 12 times in the span of these 22 verses. While entire books have been...
Let me begin with our text for today. This psalm (86:8-15) shows us King David’s devoted trust in God … in times of deep trouble. Just listen to Eugene Peterson’s translation of this scripture… There’s no one quite like you among the gods, O Lord, and nothing to compare with your works. 9 All the nations you made are on their way, ready to give honor to you, O Lord, Ready to put your beauty on display, 10 parading your greatness, And the great things you do— God, you’re the...
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...
(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...
On the day that Jesus made his triumphal entry into Jerusalem—that first Palm Sunday, I can almost imagine that he could see right through the praises and accolades of those in attendance. The symbol of riding on the back of a donkey’s colt—one that had never been ridden—was a sign of royalty. Indeed, here was the King—our King, the One whom God had sent in his infinite wisdom to save us from our sins—literally from the sin that we were born into. But, the majority of His world missed it....
