Encouragement

The Long Road Back to Bethel

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Questions to Consider for the Morning of the Church Picnic Think about this: what are some of the most terrifying verses in the Bible? Which do you think is the MOST terrifying? In Matthew 7:21-23, Jesus says, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who … Read more

The Stranger on the Road, Part 4: The In-Gathering

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Introduction Last week we looked at two things that keep us from seeing Jesus clearly: walking by sight and impurity in our hearts. We also saw that at the core of both of these things is the human impulse toward self-preservation. Yet, Jesus calls to those who have been saved – who have found life … Read more

The Stranger on the Road, Part 3: The Hands that Invite Us to Follow

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Luke 24:13-28-35 13 Now behold, two of them were traveling that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 And they talked together of all these things which had happened. 15 So it was, while they conversed and reasoned, that Jesus Himself drew near and went with them. 16 But their eyes were … Read more

The Stranger on the Road, Part 2: A New World, An Alternative Reality, A New Way to Be Human

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Luke 24:28-35 On the Road to Emmaus So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, 29 but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with … Read more

Sermons with Boats in Them #2: ‘Dark Night was the Night and the Sea was a Fury – Tempestuous, Turbulent and Threatening.’

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Worship Let’s begin with a song of worship that could not possibly be more relevant to our current situation. I’ve printed out the words for you because I don’t want you to miss a single one. It’s Praise the Lord performed by the Imperials. Praise the Lord by Elliott B. Bannister / Michael Vincent Hudson … Read more

Sermons with Boats in Them #1: A 27-Footer, a Great Windstorm of Wind, and a Cushion

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A Song of Worship This is a song of worship that delicately balances the relationship between the Lord and the believer, and the believer and the Lord. “Doulos” (δοῦλος) is the Greek word for slave or servant. It’s a reminder that if we’ll look back “across the years” we’ll see that Jesus has been “constantly … Read more

Sermons with Boats in Them #1: A 27-Footer, a Great Windstorm of Wind, and a Cushion – Reflection Questions

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Mark 4:35-41 4:35  On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” 36 And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into … Read more

Shooting Arrows: Spiritual Parenting in a Soulish Age

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I recently happened upon an article written by Bria Sledge, a project assistant at the North Carolina State University Department of Agricultural and Human Sciences. The article asks why the role of a parent is so important to a child’s development. She writes: “Parents are not only caretakers, but they are instrumental in the development of … Read more