Category: seeking God

Silent Night, Holy Night

Tonight, in just a little while, I will gather with the members of my congregation, Elpis Christian Church, and we will do what we always do on this silent, holy night.  We will listen to a little music, sing a few carols, hear the Christmas story as told by Luke, and light some candles.  It… Continue reading Silent Night, Holy Night

Time to Wait

Well, it’s Advent again.  So what? In answer to that question – I have nothing new or flashy to offer.  I don’t have a catchy new program idea; music you’ve never heard; a video that will really grab your attention – nothing.  Except this… For thousands of years, people in need waited for God.  They… Continue reading Time to Wait

Prayer

We talk about it a lot.  Hopefully we do it frequently.  Yet it still remains something of a mystery for many.  Somehow, many of us are not quite sure we are doing it “right.” What am I talking about?  Prayer. It is key to our relationship with God.  No wonder then that the disciples specifically… Continue reading Prayer

Counting the Cost: Discipleship

I suppose it says something about my age that when I think of the word discipleship – several images come to mind: Jesus, sitting on a hillside, teaching his closest followers An oriental sage teaching a young monk nicknamed “grasshopper” A Jedi knight teaching a man named Luke Skywalker about “the force” I know –… Continue reading Counting the Cost: Discipleship

Strengthening Our Grip

Do you ever feel like sometimes you are (to borrow a great line from a Paul Simon song) slip slidin’ away? The media bombards us with the latest screaming headlines regarding the latest horrific news… You find yourself in deep into the “same old argument” with your boss, your spouse, your child, the neighbor next… Continue reading Strengthening Our Grip

Jesus, We Have a Small Request

Mark 10:35-45 New International Version (NIV) The Request of James and John 35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.” 36 “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked. 37 They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right… Continue reading Jesus, We Have a Small Request

The Great Gulf

If you ask me, it is one of the most disturbing stories Jesus ever told.  (You find it in the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 16:19-31.) It tells of a rich man who, during his earthly life, was greedy and unhelpful to a poor man named Lazarus who simply wanted a few crumbs from the rich… Continue reading The Great Gulf

Paid in Full – Mark 15:1-26

Jesus Before Pilate 15 Very early in the morning, the chief priests, with the elders, the teachers of the law and the whole Sanhedrin, made their plans. So they bound Jesus, led him away and handed him over to Pilate. 2 “Are you the king of the Jews?” asked Pilate. “You have said so,” Jesus replied. 3 The chief priests accused him… Continue reading Paid in Full – Mark 15:1-26

On the Mountaintop – Mark 9:2-8

2 After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. 3 His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. 4 And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus. 5 Peter said to… Continue reading On the Mountaintop – Mark 9:2-8

That Which Defiles – Mark 7:1-13

7 The Pharisees and some of the teachers of the law who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus 2 and saw some of his disciples eating food with hands that were defiled, that is, unwashed. 3 (The Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they give their hands a ceremonial washing, holding to the tradition of the elders. 4 When… Continue reading That Which Defiles – Mark 7:1-13