I FOUND YOU! Luke 15:1-10 July 5, 2020     I don’t think there is a chapter in the Gospel of Luke as dearly beloved as the fifteenth chapter, the first part of which is here before us.  It has been called “the Gospel in the gospel,” as if it contained the very distilled essence […]

“GOD IS DOING GREAT THINGS” Matthew 13:31-35 June 21, 2020       Every great teacher communicates one central truth.  Whether he or she is teaching geography, history, or mathematics, there is invariably some underlying principle or message that keeps surfacing, verbally and nonverbally.  As varied as Jesus’ teachings are, the central message is always […]

“ARE YOU GROWING GRASS OR KILLING WEEDS?” Matthew 13:24-30;  36-43 June 21, 2020     Minneapolis pastor Leith Anderson tells of calling ChemLawn to take care of his suburban weed-infested lawn, only to have  them reject his lawn as a client because it was so bad.  One member of his church volunteered to totally remove […]

THE FOUR Rs Matthew 13:1-9;  18-23 June 14, 2020     In the so-called “good old days”—whatever and whenever those were—public schools used to boast that they taught the ‘3-Rs’ – “reading, ‘riting’, and ‘rithmetic—all to the tune of a hickory stick.”   Had a ministry friend who lived in Beckley, WV (southeast WV), and […]

SLEEP LOOSE Matthew 28:16-20 Trinity Sunday June 7, 2020     Curbside check-in has changed everything.  I mean, in terms of leave-taking, good-byes, final closures and well-wishes at partings.  Now there is rarely time to get the traveler and his or her luggage out of the car before other vehicles are honking at you for […]

FIELDS OF DREAMS Acts 2:1-21 May 31, 2020 Pentecost Sunday     Pentecost, (from the Greek word for “Fiftieth”), is the fiftieth day after Easter season.  Next week is Trinity Sunday, and then nearly six months of what the Church calls “Ordinary Time” begins.  From ten thousand feet, the Christian Year appears divided almost in […]

eHOWHOPE 1 Peter 3:13-22 May 24, 2020     Want to know how to cut an onion without crying?  Wondering how to arrange marching band music, audition for Survivor, bathe a guinea pig, or cook couscous?  Pondering how you might get a clue, be happy, be successful at home and work, or be a better […]

WE’RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER I Peter 2:2-10 May 17, 2020     This passage from I Peter is so full of good stuff.  It’s memorable; one of my favorite passages in all of the Bible. From this passage we learn from the Lord about the Church.  First off, the individual Christian is likened to […]