From the Pulpit-July 28, 2013

"National Treasure"

Luke 11: 1-13

What is our National Treasure? Did you get a treasure as an American?  Did you get a treasure when you became a Christian?  Did you get a new car?  No?  Me, neither.  But I've heard that if you seek, you shall find!  I've also heard that you must visualize! Focus on it, want it, you can make it happen!  If I can see it, I can believe it; if I believe it, I can achieve it!  The sayings go on and on..... You can find it any place you go for motivation.  But is that really the treasure?

From The Pulpit-June 23, 2013-A Faith Story

A Faith Story

Psalms 42: 1-5
Luke 8:26-39

Some of our best memories often involve storytelling.  It is hard to resist a small child, crawling up into your lap, looking up into your face and saying, "Tell me a story!"  Many of us gained our religion

From The Pulpit-June 30, 2013

From the Pulpit
June 30, 2013

Another Faith Story

2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14
Galatians 5:1, 13-25

So, what's your story? We all have one.  Where did you come from?.....

From the Pulpit-June 10, 2012

"Is It Worth Finding?"

Mark 3:20-35
2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1

What would Jesus be like today?  How would He connect with others?  Would He Facebook?  What car would He drive? What conflicts would He have with religion today?

From the Pulpit-April 29, 2012

"Shepherding 101"
Psalms 23
John 10: 11-18



Don't you love Psalm 23? The relationship described is perfectly personified in the Christ depicted in John 10. John's verse predicts the willingness of Christ to lay down his life for us, as a shepherd lays down his life for his sheep.  In biblical times, this was a very concrete concept.  When evening was near, a shepherd would often lead the sheep into a circle of rocks to bed for the night.  Having no door, the shepherd would then lay across the opening in order to protect the sheep. The shepherd was one that was dependable and truly concerned for his sheep, not like the hired hand who's instinct was to run and get help if danger appeared.

From the Pulpit--April 14, 2013

"Follow Me"
John 21: 1-19

Are you being fed? No, not fish!
What is missing from the story? No, not clothing!

From the Pulpit-March 25, 2012

"Take a Look in the Mirror"
click here for a musical selection while you read
Jeremiah 31:31-34
Hebrews 5:5-10

Today's readings raise a few questions right away.  Like--what is the new covenant really all about?  What is true faith?  And who is Melchizedek?  Well, the last one is probably the easiest one to answer.

From The Pulpit-March 11, 2012

What is it Really About?

John 2:13-22
Psalm 19

Our psalm today celebrates the beauty of nature, just as we can see around us today--like little miracles appearing.  And in the midst of this celebration comes a story that some people love and some people hate because they are unnerved by Jesus' anger and passion for the temple.  In John's passage, we see a story of redemption.

From the Pulpit-Feb. 26, 2012

Somewhere Over the Rainbow

Genesis 9:8-17
Mark 1: 9-15

Today has us studying again the baptism of Jesus and the story of Noah. Both great stories.  Especially in the newest version of the Noah story told in the movie Evan Almighty ....

From the Pulpit-Feb. 12, 2012

How's Your Reputation?
Mark 1:40-45
2 Kings 5:1-14

So, what's the common thread here?  Leprosy, right?  Well, yeah--but also reputations that were at stake.  The reputation of Jesus, the reputation of Elijah, the kings' reputation, and of course, Naaman's reputation.  And by the way, how's your reputation?

From the Pulpit-February 19, 2012

The Unexpected

Mark 2:1-12
Psalms 41

"We have never seen anything like this before."  When have you said that before?  What's the strangest thing you have ever seen?  These hybrid animals are pretty strange......

From The Pulpit-archive

"Here Hold This"click here for music as you read

Matthew 23: 1-12
1 Thessalonians 2:9-13



Sometimes we take on "undo burden".  Not exactly like those kids playing Buck, Buck (click to hear Bill Cosby description of Fat Albert, the Buck Buck hero) but more like the fellow, Bob, in that famous camp song:

From The Pulpit-Jan. 25, 2012

"All-ee, All-ee, All Come Free"

John 1: 43-51
Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18

So what's so special about this "Christianity Club"?.......

From the Pulpit-November 13, 2011

"Talents and time before Treasure"

Matthew 25:14-30

What is it that we all have?  How are we all the same?  Each and every one of us has.......

From the Pulpit-October 2, 2011-God Revealed

"God Revealed"
Philippians 3:4b-14
Exodus 20:1-20

When Paul is writing to the Philippians, he can be trusted and believed because he is "bonified!"  He knew what he was talking about.  He was raised in the church, had passed all the tests to become a Pharisee, was held in high regards in the temple, had even persecuted disciples and followers of Christ until ......

From The Pulpit-July 31, 2011

Paradigm Shift and Broken Bread

Matthew 14: 13-21

 Jesus loved drama as much as we do.....

From The Archives-July 24, 2011

Genesis 29: 15-28
Matthew 13: 44-45

"True Value"
 How do you figure out the true value of things?....

From The Archives-June 26, 2011

June 26, 2011
"Under Grace"
Matthew 10:40-42
Romans 6: 12-23

Visions of Peace-Memory Verses-Week 6-Inner Conflict

Memory Verses--Week 6--Inner Conflict

Psalm 139

14I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
  Wonderful are Your works,
  And my soul knows it very well.

15My frame was not hidden from You,
  When I was made in secret,
  And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth;

16Your eyes have seen my unformed substance;
  And in Your book were all written
  The days that were ordained for me,
  When as yet there was not one of them.

17How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!
  How vast is the sum of them!

18If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand.
  When I awake, I am still with You.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2