A few months after I became a pastor, a funeral home called me and asked if I would do a funeral service for a woman whose family did not have a relationship with a church in our community. I agreed and went to meet with the family to talk about the service. They wanted one […]
Read More Thinking about deathBlessings and Dying WordsHebrews 11:20-22May 8, 2022 The legacy of people’s final words is fascinating. What were the final words and thoughts on people’s minds as they departed this life for eternal life (or eternal death)? These words are significant because death is the ultimate enemy of all men. There are more harsh and less […]
Read More Sermon: Blessings and Dying WordsTrials are regular and normal. Disappointment is inevitable. Failure is common. One skeptic rightly noted, “In times like these it’s good to remember that there have always been times like these.” If we expect a trouble-free life, we will never be satisfied. However, the goal in life is not to avoid trouble and trial, […]
Read More Remember God’s PromisesI don’t have OCD. Really. I don’t. (And denying it doesn’t mean that I do have OCD.) I just like things organized. So my personal library is organized by the Dewey Decimal System. I have more than 20,000 file cards (both printed and digital) of preaching illustrations organized by topic and biblical passage. I have […]
Read More Organizing Resources for Biblical CounselingA Test of FaithHebrews 11:17-19May 1, 2022 More than 30 years ago, I walked out of a classroom and building, and crossed the street to head to the school-owned apartment in which Raye Jeanne and I lived. It was a pleasant early May day, with bright sunshine and moderate temperature. As I crossed the […]
Read More Sermon: A Test of FaithWhat we think is important. I don’t mean that our opinions about various topics are important. They may or may not be important; but I mean that the content of our thoughts — what we are thinking about in any given moment is important. The millions of thoughts that travel around our six-inch diameter […]
Read More What are you thinking?Living By Faith When Promises are not (Fully) Fulfilled, Pt. 2Hebrews 11:13-16April 24, 2022 I came across a synthesis of some important life lessons this week: “I’ve learned that you can’t hide a piece of broccoli in a glass of milk.” “I’ve learned that just when I get my room the way I like it, […]
Read More Sermon: Living By Faith When Promises are not Fully Fulfilled, Pt. 2The Slain, Exalted LambRevelation 5April 17, 2022 We are Christians. We are followers of Jesus Christ. No day on our calendar of worship demonstrates our dependence on Christ more than Easter morning. On this day we affirm we need Him and we will worship Him above all other things and people. But on this […]
Read More Sermon: The Slain, Exalted Lamb“It Must Happen This Way:”The Arrest of Christ and the Sovereign Purpose of GodMatthew 26:47-56April 15, 2022 (Good Friday) Facts reflect the reality of a condition. They are true. They can be believed. But interpretations of facts are variable, inconsistent, at times inaccurate, and invariably not to be trusted. One husband was complaining to […]
Read More “It Must Happen This Way”Living By Faith When Promises are not (Fully) Fulfilled, Pt. 1Hebrews 11:8-12April 3, 2022 I placed a book order last week. And a few minutes after I placed the order, I received an email telling me when I would receive the order, along with a tracking number from UPS so that I could follow it’s […]
Read More Sermon: Living By Faith When Promises are not Fully Fulfilled, Pt. 1Living by Faith in the Present, for the FutureHebrews 11:7March 27, 2022 I don’t have to tell you that we live in a perverse world. When you open up your news browser you are assaulted by that reality. Just this week: The latest Supreme Court nominee refused to provide a definition for the word […]
Read More Sermon: Living by Faith in the PresentI always enjoyed school and learning — I suppose in large part because I have also always been curious about just about everything. “How does that work?” is still a common question from me in conversations. But the year I was in fourth or fifth grade, I was particularly motivated to do well. My parents […]
Read More God is a rewarderLiving to Please God, Pt. 2Hebrews 11:4-6March 20, 2022 A generation ago, Charles Schultz helped us identify the nature of happiness: Happiness is a thumb and a blanket (Linus) Happiness is an umbrella and a new raincoat (Lucy) Happiness is having a friend (Charlie Brown and Snoopy) Happiness is sharing (Linus and Snoopy) Happiness is […]
Read More Sermon: Living to Please God, Pt. 2On the first weekend in April, our church is hosting a one-day conference for our community. We are thrilled to have Stuart Scott as our speaker (he’s written an excellent booklet on the topic). There is no cost for the conference (and lunch is provided), but we do need all participants to register. More information […]
Read More Help and Hope for the AnxiousLiving to Please GodHebrews 11:4-6March 13, 2022 A year ago, Sirin Kale, a journalist for the British newspaper The Guardian, wrote: In the past fortnight, I have bought the following items online: a hideous cat tree that takes up most of my living room, a lavender pillow spray, two scarves, a pair of gloves, two […]
Read More Sermon: Living to Please God
Words of Grace 