Pentecost 2019

Homecoming

October 20, 2019

It was God who chose to make a great nation out of Abraham. It was God who moved Moses to lead the people out of Egypt. It was the God who chose David to be King. The story of David in scripture is the continuation of the story of God’s action in the world and God’s promises coming true. True power comes from God.

He’s Got This

October 6, 2019

In Deuteronomy, Moses gives a series of messages to the people before they are to enter into the promised land. We hear Moses repeat the law handed down from God – the ten words – the decalogue – the ten commandments. Like the sheet music to a song they’ve forgotten, he reminds the people what God has asked of them, that they would continue to be in relationship with the God of their ancestors. That’s right this is a new group – a new assembly – the ancestors of those ones who lived in slavery in Egypt – they wandered for 40 years in the desert, and heard these commandments before, but they were frustrated or forgetful, and rebelled. Now these, their children, the next generation, are getting ready to go into a new place – yes that already has people in it – that worship other gods, that live differently. Could this be a primer on living as God’s people in a new place, a contrast community in a new culture? Could be. But more than that it is a reminder of God’s promise to be their God, and encouragement to hold true to the deep relationship snd salvation God offers.

Not Without A Fight

September 22, 2019

We are struggling, wrestling with change – We have all had sleepless nights. Our culture is filled with anxiety. I choose to think it’s because we’re growing, and growing up is hard, and painful too. But we are not without hope. I’ve been saying this recently. The church is shrinking, our church struggles too. But we are not without hope.

Word of Trust: Jesus is Faithful

August 11, 2019

It’s easy to see why being stuck in the past can be depressing and cause anxiety. If we’re constantly wondering where we went wrong, holding onto old hurts, or fighting against some past version of ourselves and winding around past events we can’t change, we will despair. Faith frees us from the pain of the past, centers us in the good news of our Savior, and reframes the universe – toward God’s promises for us in Jesus.

Word of Boldness: Jesus Hears Us

July 28, 2019

I was never the risk-taker. I’ve never been the guy riding motorcycles or pulling daring stunts. Although, when I was a kid in South Florida, we used to sneak onto a nearby golf course. It was a part of a local senior living community, so if the security guards saw us, they’d chase us down and escort us off the premises. We weren’t trying to cause trouble. We were good kids. It was summer time, and we had nowhere to be. If the clubhouse was open, we might go in to play a game of pool. Maybe we’d pick up a stray golf ball along the way, but what we were really after – was a dip in the canal.