When someone we love or know faces some kind of distress or trouble, we often, in an attempt to comfort them, say, “Don’t worry. God won’t give you more than you can handle.” But that is a heavy yoke to give someone when Jesus’ yoke is easy, and His burden in light.
[Easter Sunday] - Life Together
Good Friday - Stations of Loss
[Maundy Thursday] Peter - Life Together
[Sunday Service] Palm Sunday - Life Together
Jesus and his followers have made the long uphill trek to Jerusalem, and they begin to feel victorious. After all, they had just climbed a mountain, and they are with the one who will continue to climb all the way to the top of Rome itself. But is that what Jesus does, climb mountains to the top? Or is he calling us to follow him to the trenches of God’s work, the cross?
[Wednesday Service] Pilate - Life Together
[Sunday Service] Natural Light - Life Together
Natty light, Bud Light, and Miller Lite - they can be found everywhere; you’re always able to find one on tap. But which one of these would Jesus drink? I have joked that Jesus would only want the best, some local craft beer brewed by someone wearing suspenders and a mustache. But after reading about his last drink, I think he would have shared a Natty Light after a late shift.
[Wednesday Lent Service] - Thief's Father
[Sunday Service] Invisible Love - Life Together
Jesus, while on the cross, looked up into the sky and yelled, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken Me?” This seems appropriate for today, as we see so much change in the last two weeks. Things are closed, the economy is bad, and I am watching worship on a screen. Is God somewhere else as well? But Peter encourages us to remember the God that is always here, the invisible love.
The End is Near - Life Together
This Is It - Life Together
Who are You - Life Together
Sustaining the Kingdom - UnBelievable - 2 Kings 9-10
Here at the end it seems like God is sending his prophet to finally get things back on track. Elisha the prophet anoints Jehu king and tasks him with ridding the country of everything that has to do with Ahab and Jezebel. Jehu is thorough in his accomplishments, well, right up until it requires him to give up what he loves.
Go In Peace - UnBelievable - 2 Kings 5
Why Are You Here? - UnBelievable - 1 Kings 19
Battle at Baal Bluff - UnBelievable - 1 Kings 18
Mt Carmel is a picturesque bluff overlooking the Sea. Over the years many of God’s people have sacrificed to the LORD in that place, but now that alter is in disrepair. But Baal worshipers have built a new altar and the place is now known for worshiping the god of rain and fertility where the rain begins. One could say it’s the home-field advantage for Baal in a godly battle.
A Dry Hope - UnBelievable - 1 Kings 17
Prophets and Kings - UnBelievable - 1 Kings 17
Times are dark. Since the times of David, the kingdom seems to be moving away from God in search of more and more power and wealth. This power and wealth have come at the cost of wanting to be like the other nations and have left the people serving the other gods around them. Into all of this we meet God’s prophet Elijah.
Boy Jesus in the Temple - Arrival - Luke 2
Little is recorded about Jesus’ life between His birth and the age of 30. But this one episode tells so much. Jesus’ family life is a lot like anyone’s, full of mishaps and misunderstandings. As Jesus enters young adulthood, He begins manifesting an extraordinary sense of identity. (Remember, a 12-year-old isn’t “just a kid” in Israel; he is becoming a man.) He has a direct relationship with God as His Father, and He knows His life will follow a path of working for God.
Joy - Arrival - Matthew 11
John the Baptist is in prison. He sends out some of his followers to ask Jesus if he is truly the king. John is wondering about joy and how can we have joy in following a savior who does not meet our expectations. But perhaps we can see the joy found in the eyes of those whose expectations have been broken, those who truly have something to treasure.