?If We Could Know About Tomorrow, What Would We Do About It Today?

November 22, 2009 ?The Reign of Christ Revelation 1:4b-8 As we arrive at the end of another year in the church calendar, what does it all come down to? The reign of Christ! It is both comforting and compelling to consider that it all commenced with His arrival and it all concludes with His reign. It's all about Christ.

For Me?

?November 8, 2009 Proper 27 Hebrews 9:24-28 In the process of getting a divorce after five painful years of separation, Chip and Cindy Altemos had begun seeing other people. Then without warning, Chip's health began to deteriorate rapidly.

Four Ways Jesus Sets Us Free

November 1, 2009 ?Proper 26 Hebrews 9:11-14 Near Michelangelo's famous statue of David, four unfinished sculptures line the hallways. Calling them "The Captives," Michelangelo had planned to use them as part of Pope Julian's tomb. With protruding limbs and body parts, each piece appears to be a human figure trying to escape its marble enclosure.

The Blind See–Finally

?October 25, 2009 Proper 24 Mark 10:46-52 Healing Bartimaeus closes a chapter in the life of Jesus. The new chapter (Mark 11) begins in a new location, Bethphage; records a unique new experience, the triumphal entry; and opens the final week in the earthly life of Jesus. Clearly, the story of Bartimaeus concludes something very significant.

The Royalty of Service

October 18, 2009 ?Proper 23 Mark 10:35-45 I can hear it today as clearly as I heard it 37 years ago. It was a warm May night in a crowded Idaho church building. Our small graduating class was seated on stage enduring a rambling one-hour-and-forty-minute sermon. An hour into the sermon I heard the voice that only I would recognize.

The Economics of True Faith

October 11, 2009 Proper 22 Mark 10:17-31 I often get stock tips in my e-mail. But what I am giving you here are not tips but the truth about how to gain imperishable riches: truth that comes from one of the most well-known passages in the New Testament. This truth is about a rich young ruler's encounter with Christ. In it every believer must come face to face with the costs-the economics of true faith-of following Jesus Christ.

In the Land of Uz

October 4, 2009 Proper 21 Job 1:1; 2:1-10 When we hear about the city in Job 1:1, we think of Frank Baum's classic. For Uz sounds to us like Oz. But Uz was not make-believe. It could not have been more real.

Sovereign Surprises

September 27, 2009 ?Proper 20 Esther 7:1-6,9-10; 9:20-22 "Where is God in all of this?" Haven't you asked that before? We often live our lives on the edges of faith, where promises and circumstances collide.

The Gospel Menagerie

September 20, 2009 ?Proper 19 James 3:13-4:3,7-8a Today's text gives us a picture of life as it could be lived and as it often is. We can think of these approaches as the gospel menagerie-a series of animal images.

Following Jesus Today

September 13, 2009 Proper 18 Mark 8:27-38 Every follower of Christ wants to sing and mean the gospel song, "Lord, I want to be a Christian in my heart, in my heart." We are hungry for meaning, and nothing in life can be more meaningful than being on a pilgrimage with Him.