A pastor friend posted this cartoon recently: Of course, the point is a little pastoral revenge for the microscope some pastors find themselves under. (Not every pastor has a perfectly gracious congregation like I do!) But as I gave the cartoon a second thought, I realized that unintentionally...
A commission is an instruction, command, or duty given to a person or a group of people. For example, my brother, who is a sculptor, is commissioned to create a work of art made from a tree trunk using only chainsaws as his carving implements. When a customer commissions him to execute a...
It's easy to criticize addicts. It's not loving nor respectful of the image of God within them, but it sure is easy. All kinds, too - substance abuse, food, alcohol, porn. We can poke at their lack of self-control, lack of self-respect, and the destruction they bring on themselves. Maybe we also...
I love storms. I love the rain, the ominous clouds, lightning, thunder, and the wind. I even like tornadoes, as long as they do no damage. To me, it's better than TV … I could watch for hours, and I'm a little sad when the show is over. And earthquakes. We’ve lived through 10 or so...
In the message last week, we noted how Israel may have wondered "Where's God" in the midst of being attacked repeatedly by the surrounding nations. We also thought about times when perhaps we've asked that question in the midst of feeling surrounded by opposing circumstances. I hope...
I am no expert. I do not invest all the time, research, and money in order to become among the elite. But I do know how to make a pretty satisfying cup of espresso. An aficionado would correct me, but I've learned a few things about the art. I say "art" not because I'm a great artist, but...
The dictionary defines “boldness” as the willingness to take risks with confidence and courage. This word describes the way the Apostles declared Christ’s message of redemption after Pentecost. It first appears in the Apostles immediately after Pentecost and spread to...
In our last message, I mentioned the idea that some people are like closed countries. Let me put some more flesh on those bones. "Closed countries" are those countries that are closed to the Gospel. They do not grant missionary visas. They do not allow open proselytizing. It might be illegal...
Yes, the picture is that of a dragon. It's biblical. Over the last couple of years, the Middle school Sunday school class read through Genesis and made their own pictorial scroll of the entire book. You likely saw their work displayed throughout the church in the Spring. By drawing what they...
I'm sure most of you (or all of you) have encountered someone who objected to the existence of God based on the constraints of science. They want proof of God's existence, and then proof that He has any interaction with humankind. Without proof, they claim, they cannot subscribe to the idea that...