The Good Life Series takes us to the theme of Beauty this weekend. Jesus came so that we might have life and have it to the fullest. The Good Life, the abundant life, of Jesus runs counter to the empty promises of the world. The lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and […]
How do you feel about your family? I’ve been thinking about the topic of family this week for three reasons: First, I’m preaching about it this week in our summer series The Good Life. Second, it is Father’s Day on Sunday and it would be nice to get our family together to honor my Dad. […]
Next week I will preach on the Family as part of our summer series: The Good Life. This is a vast topic, and a controversial and/or painful one for many. What is a family? Is there a ‘Biblical model’ for the family? What do I do if my family is toxic? What if I don’t […]
Our summer worship series is called “The Good Life.” Here is the blurb from the sermons page (visit this page to catch all the sermon audio): This summer we focus on the reality of life. As humans, we are born with an impulse to make sense of life. What, then, is a good life? It […]
I was rebuked via Facebook Messenger for my post yesterday in which I commented on the relative affluence we enjoy in our suburban context. The author of this rebuke gave me permission to post it. Hi Pastor Steve. I noticed your blog post today. I have been debating all day but I guess I will […]
This was a big weekend for my family. My fourth and youngest child graduated from high school. That is a huge milestone in the life of a family system. I’m sure I’ll reflect on the dynamics of having four adult children at some point. Today, I want to reflect on a jarring contrast that confronted […]
Today’s reading is Galatians 6:1-10. Paul seems to contradict himself. First, he says that we should bear each other’s burdens. When someone struggles with “a transgression,” we are called to restore that person, not condemn or rebuke that person. We are to “bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law […]
The readings for yesterday and today take us to Galatians 5:16-26. Here Paul gets to the point of the freedom for which Jesus sets us free. Is it to live for the flesh (self-indulgence) or to live for the good of the whole (the fruit of the Spirit)? I want to explore these ideas with […]
The daily readings for this week take us into the final chapter of Galatians. Paul continues to plead with his Gentile brothers and sisters to not become shackled by the Law of Moses. Today’s reading, Galatians 5:2-15, poses an interesting paradox. He tells his friends that “you were called to freedom.” We, especially in the […]
This is the second sermon in a three-week mini series from the Narrative Lectionary on Galatians 3:1-9, 23-29. Paul supports his argument that we are justified by faith and not by the works of the Law by looking at God’s Promise to Abraham in Genesis 12. Through faith we are one in Christ. We are […]
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