God holds the future and redeems all of yesterday. But today is closer to me. What an amazing concept today, right now, really is. Today- I hope you aren’t planning a siege on your enemy. I hope you aren’t judging the person in the room. I hope you aren’t swallowed up in regret. I hope…
Category: Sermon Readings
Grace is on a Family Tree
My friend loves Jesus. That sounds commonplace, doesn’t it? It becomes less pedestrian when I tell you that his Mom died a drug addict and his father was a devout atheist. My friend was gloriously saved at the age of 10 at a Vacation Bible School event and never looked back. This. Makes. No. Sense….
Containers, We Are
This reading could be utilized as a solo reading, duet, or group reading. Reader 1: “For we do not preach ourselves.” Reader 2: We don’t strut our talents. Reader 1: We don’t flaunt our riches. Reader 2: We don’t tout our strategy. Reader 1: We don’t sell our style. Reader 2: We don’t rely on…
Amos Today
(Based on Amos 5:18-24) Woe and pity to the theological geniuses! The ones that gaze upon the charts of dispensational prophecy. The ones that spend their days arguing their religious apologetics on social media without lifting a finger to help strugglers. Woe to you who parrot political arguments and lust for salacious scandals. Why do you crave His…
36 Names I Call Him
He’s my secret Treasure amidst the lies of gold The Captain of my vessel, the Guardian of my soul The Champion of my battles, my Warrior in the night My Guardian, Provider, within the fiercest fight He’s Architect and Builder of my forever home A Friend that’s like none other. I never walk alone. He…
Prayer of a Messy Follower
Thank You Jesus… You’ve been so faithful to this messed-up follower. You restore my sanity on a weekly basis. You reach into the nothingness and give me everything I need. You’ve been far greater and more powerful than everything I’ve faced. If I did anything good, it was because of You. You have never given…
Declarations for Every Day
Today– I’ll live a life of celebration. The brooding life is not holy. To many, it might look holy but a grave-digger and skeptic do not a Kingdom make. Today– I’ll simplify to remove distractions. Our inability to hear God is directly linked to the static of modern life. It’s perhaps the greatest plague of the…
What Kind of Church is It?
We often categorize our churches with fancy titles: Relevant, emergent, classic, reformed, fundamentalist, traditional, contemporary, liturgical, purpose-driven etc… The list is really endless and the subtleties of each model vary. But what kind of church are we? Really… Some churches are more like a country club, complete with secret handshakes, special membership privileges, and perks for…
Five Survival Sayings (Read, Believe, Repeat… Constantly)
Theological elitists, keep moving along. There’s nothing that will interest you here. Jacked-up sinners, like me, pay careful attention. We all need a few easy-to-remember axioms that get us through the day. As a man of habit who has struggled with self- condemnation through the years, I’ve white-knuckled these truths in the middle of my…
Absalom (Contemporary Adaptation)
Actor mimes holding a baby in his arms, beaming with pride. He speaks to the audience. This has to be the greatest moment of my life! And I got it all on videotape. The whole process was such a miracle. Michelle did great. (to God) Lord, how can I ever thank You for this child I’m holding?…