Giving Thanks, God’s Will and the Gift of Great Perspective

Carl Sandburg, the great American writer, tells a story of when he was in university. His roommate was unable to go home for the holidays, and so Sandberg invited him to come to his house. As Sandberg introduced his roommate to his hard-of-hearing aunt, he announced, "Auntie, I want you to meet my roommate, Al Specknoodle!" The aunt cupped her ear and shook her head. Carl tried again, "I want you to meet my roommate, Al Specknoodle!" The aunt frowned and shook her head again. Carl sputtered and shouted, "Al Specknoodle, my roommate!" Finally the aunt turned away and said, "It's no use, Carl. No matter how many times you say it, it still sounds like Al Specknoodle!" No matter how many times I have read Paul’s command to give thanks in all circumstances, it still sounds strange.  I don’t think I am hard-hearted, but giving thanks in all circumstances

Yes, . . . But Love and Do Not Harm

This sermon is based on Romans 13:8-10. You can also view each week's sermon/worship service on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5ncsq_QNvCv61bIwKUpP5A SERIES OVERVIEW: Quiz time. There are two questions. Which one of the following axioms is worded correctly? Love the sin; hate the sinner. Love the sin; love the sinner. Hate the sin; hate the sinner. Tell everyone we hate the sin, but privately enjoy the sin. Hate the sin when others do it; love the sin when you do it. Condemn everyone for sinning, while feeling superior because you don’t. Hate the sin; love the sinner. Which of those seven axioms are we best at doing? (Unfortunately, this is a “choose all that apply” question)? We desperately need help here. Maybe this series can provide some guidance: “Yes, . . . But Love”

Seven-In-One-No

BLOG SERIES: The RE REsearch REview “Seven-In-One-No” One of my favorite stories as a kid was “Seven-In-One-Blow.” You may know it as “The Brave Little Tailor,” but a rose by any other name is still a great story.  I’m sure you could tell it yourself (and if you can't, please don’t tell me because it would break my heart), but let me give a quick overview. An ordinary tailor finds his lunch of bread and jam rudely interrupted by a swarm of flies. Infuriated by this pesky horde of flying pestilence, he slammed his hand down to annihilate them; and to his surprise, he kills seven-in-one-blow. It was such an amazing feat that he felt he ought to commemorate it by making a belt proclaiming the accomplishment, “seven-in-one-blow.” Buttressed by this achievement, he set off into the world to seek his fortune. Of course, everyone who meets him thinks he killed seven

Yes, . . . But Gently

This sermon is based on Galatians 6:1-2. You can also view each week's sermon/worship service on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5ncsq_QNvCv61bIwKUpP5A SERIES OVERVIEW: Quiz time. There are two questions. Which one of the following axioms is worded correctly? Love the sin; hate the sinner. Love the sin; love the sinner. Hate the sin; hate the sinner. Tell everyone we hate the sin, but privately enjoy the sin. Hate the sin when others do it; love the sin when you do it. Condemn everyone for sinning, while feeling superior because you don’t. Hate the sin; love the sinner. Which of those seven axioms are we best at doing? (Unfortunately, this is a “choose all that apply” question)? We desperately need help here. Maybe this series can provide some guidance: “Yes, . . . But Love”

Riverlocks and the Three Denominations

BLOG SERIES: The RE REsearch REview Riverlocks and the Three Denominations: A Fairytale That Is Saturated with Bears, Meaning, and Truth and That Ends Really Well Once upon a time, Riverlocks decided she needed a new denomination. Her old denomination was good, but Riverlocks had started to feel like she had outgrown it. And so, she went to the denomination store to see what she could find.   The first denomination she encountered was “E.” Now, “E” came highly recommended. In fact, before Riverlocks went to the store, she was pretty sure this would be the denomination for her. And “E” seemed very familiar. It had the same theology, the same structure and, generally speaking, the same polity as her old denomination. It was nice being in the know. “E” even invited Riverlocks to share a quick snack with him, but while the snack looked like it should be appetizing, Riverlocks was surprised

Yes, . . . But We Go First

This sermon is based on Ephesians 6:10-17. You can also view each week's sermon/worship service on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5ncsq_QNvCv61bIwKUpP5A SERIES OVERVIEW: Quiz time. There are two questions. Which one of the following axioms is worded correctly? Love the sin; hate the sinner. Love the sin; love the sinner. Hate the sin; hate the sinner. Tell everyone we hate the sin, but privately enjoy the sin. Hate the sin when others do it; love the sin when you do it. Condemn everyone for sinning, while feeling superior because you don’t. Hate the sin; love the sinner. Which of those seven axioms are we best at doing? (Unfortunately, this is a “choose all that apply” question)? We desperately need help here. Maybe this series can provide some guidance: “Yes, . . . But Love”

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