Last week I was studying 2 Timothy 1:1-5, preparing a sermon on intergenerational faith, parents passing their faith on to their children, and the church handing the faith off to the next generation. Paul writes, "I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in … Continue reading Single Parents (Cutting Room Floor)
faith
Be Forgettable (Cutting Room Floor)
Last week, I was studying the story of Naaman and Elisha from 2 Kings chapter five. It's a great story of healing and of God's mission beyond the borders of Israel. His renown spreads as Naaman, a pagan from Syria, becomes a worshipper of YHWH. You get a glimpse of God's mission and his intention … Continue reading Be Forgettable (Cutting Room Floor)
Cutting Room Floor: Christ will build his church
Last Sunday, I had the chance to preach from the story of Gideon (Judges 6-8). I focused not so much on Gideon, but on God as the main actor in the story. God overflows in grace towards a persistently rebellious Israel. God raises up a deliverer. God rescues his people, and does so in such … Continue reading Cutting Room Floor: Christ will build his church
Cutting Room Floor: That’s just the way things are done.
On Sunday, I preached on James 3:13-18, contrasting true, godly wisdom with wisdom that is earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. I had a section that came from my personal devotional reading that I cut for time. False wisdom, or worldly wisdom, often has a veneer of genuineness to it because it gets results. But it doesn't … Continue reading Cutting Room Floor: That’s just the way things are done.
The Imperial Cult of Rome, and America
My dad had eclectic music tastes, ranging from Country Western (ie. Marty Robbins) to oldies (i.e Beach Boys) to oddities (i.e. we listened to Bette Midler's 'The Rose' on repeat one year driving from Florida to NY). And then there were the church songs, the Christian songs. A song I remember from my childhood had … Continue reading The Imperial Cult of Rome, and America
God Entranced 