A place for my thoughts and sermons.
As we continue in The Word in Song, we come to “Happy.” This familiar reading might sound strange, but it makes us ask an important question. Are we happy? What do we have to be happy about? What does Jesus say about being happy? Does God make us happy? Find inspiration anywhere and everywhere, and hear the Word in song!
Our scripture reading comes from Matthew 5:1-12.
The musical inspiration comes from “Happy” by Pharrell Williams.
Today marks the beginning of our third installment of The Word in Song with “Hungry Heart.” What does your heart long for? What do you desire? It it good? Is it bad? Do we consider our intentions when we act? The intentions of others? What does God want? Find inspiration anywhere and everywhere, and hear the Word in song!
Our scripture reading comes from Jeremiah 17:9-14.
Our musical inspiration comes from “Hungry Heart” by Bruce Springsteen.
The last message of our Lens of Christ series revolves around an important meeting. “Claimed by Christ” looks at the law of circumcision and the gospel. Are the laws meant to drive us apart? If Christ brings us together, how do we handle the law? What happens when tradition divides instead of unites? We see things differently when we see things through Christ.
Our scripture readings come from Genesis 17:9-14 and Acts 15:1-21.
The next message in the Lens of Christ series is “Contamination.” When we look at the Old Testament dietary law, how do we understand it? How does Jesus change out understanding of this? What can we learn from these rules about cleanliness? About contamination? What makes us truly clean? We see things differently when we see things through Christ.
Our scripture readings come from Deuteronomy 14:3-21 and Mark 7:14-23.
In some ways, I was afraid to write this. I worried that maybe I didn’t have enough time, as I was in the middle of so many projects and deadlines. That maybe I should just push through. But the more I reflect, the more I realize that it isn’t healthy, and it isn’t fair. It isn’t fair to anyone. My breaking point came from a phone call that I received earlier today. I’ll get around to that in a moment. For now, let me make something clear: depression is a very difficult thing that impacts nearly every facet of life. Continue reading “Struggles with Depression”
We continue to look at the letter and spirit of the law in our series Lens of Christ. This week we look at “Law and Punishment” as we compare the Old Testament laws on adultery to the New Testament account of Christ and the woman caught in adultery. What happens when we use the law for unrighteous reasons? What happens when we then judgement inward? We see things differently when we see things through Christ.
Our scripture readings come from Deuteronomy 22:22-24 and John 8:2-11.
So, I’m updating all the records at the churches that I currently serve. With that, I’m also wanting to survey both people in the church and outside the church. Live near one of them? Then please follow the link to the correct survey below and help me with your feedback! Don’t live nearby? Then take the online only survey!
Greenup United Methodist Church Survey
Cottonwood United Methodist Church Survey
I’m updating my records! If you can use the form below to help update them, that would be a big help! Or you can go here to fill it out. Please let me know if I missed anything you think should be added! Continue reading “Church Information Update”
We begin a new series this Sunday called Lens of Christ. Our first message is “On the Sabbath” and in it we look at the Old Testament and the New Testament and the Sabbath. What is the difference between the spirit of the law and the letter of the law? What does Jesus teach us about the Sabbath? And what do we learn from his response to the Pharisees? We see things differently when we see things through Christ.
Our scripture readings come from Numbers 15:32-36 and Mark 2:23-3:6.
The last sermon in the Discipleship in 3G series is “Gather.” What does it mean to gather? In what ways do we gather together? Have we answered the call to fish for people? Do we proclaim the good news? What path do we choose? We make disciples by being disciples.
Our scripture reading comes from Mark 1:14-20.
