Blog – Page 2 – River's Edge Community Church

194 (or More) to 1

194 (or More) to 1

Paul Simon told us—“There must be fifty ways to leave your lover.” Now, I realize there are numerous ways to interpret this song: Is the person speaking about a friend, his mother, a woman who wants him to leave his current lover so that he may embrace her (literally and figuratively), or is the speaker his current lover who is dismissing his pain by mocking his comment that he is thinking about leaving her? But the point the speaker is making is clear: it is easy to leave someone you no longer love (“You just slip out the back, Jack. Make a new plan, Stan. You don’t need to be coy, Roy; Just get yourself free.”). But if that is so, the opposite must also be true. It must be extremely hard to leave many lovers behind because you are forced to choose just one. For instance, I’m going to

Isaiah’s Beautiful Feet

Isaiah’s Beautiful Feet

It was a very formal Southern church in which there was no messing around. That also meant it was a very serious and uptight church where nothing unseemly was allowed—ever. And that is what makes this story so much fun. Stuart Briscoe was one of my heroes—a great pastor, a spectacular teacher, and a phenomenal communicator and, on top of all that, he had an outrageous sense of humor. On one formal occasion, he was speaking at the above serious church on a very uptight Sunday morning. More to the point, he was speaking about today’s verse (as it is quoted in Romans 15): “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” And to prove his point, he swung his leg up and plopped his foot on the very formal, serious pulpit so that the sole of his shoe was facing the very formal, proper congregation. A

Micah’s Masterpiece in Three Points

Micah’s Masterpiece in Three Points

There’s a famous story about President Calvin Coolidge. As he was coming out of church one Sunday, a reporter intercepted him and, hoping for a controversial soundbite, asked the president what the topic of the sermon had been. Coolidge, who was never one for being longwinded, replied, “Sin.” The reporter knew there was no story there, and so he asked a follow-up: “What did he say about it?” Coolidge replied, “He was agin’ it.” Now, I realize many people feel this story is apocryphal, but Coolidge was a master of brevity, and his summary of the sermon exudes an economy of expression which, in my book, is a vote for authenticity. After all, a good summary is hard to find. It’s not every day someone recaps Beauty and the Beast by saying “Stockholm syndrome works” or condenses Star Wars: Episode V by saying “talking frog convinces son to kill his

David’s Verse Is a Little Worse

David’s Verse Is a Little Worse

Henry Ford famously offered all his customers the opportunity to purchase a brand-new Model-T in any color they wanted “as long as that color was black.” Apparently, not every customer was pleased with their “multitude” of color options. I understand how they feel. I came into this project thinking that we could choose any seven verses in the Old Testament and that the goal was to choose ones that are theologically rich, emotionally satisfying, textually significant and spiritually meaningful. But here we are, choosing our fourth verse, and I am beginning to feel claustrophobic. Yes, I can choose any seven verses as long as there is one creation verse, one Abraham verse, one Moses verse, one David verse, one prophet verse and one Psalm verse. After that, pick any seven verses you want! Thank you, Mr. Ford. And, if you would be so kind, please hand over a good David

An Avalanche of Moses

An Avalanche of Moses

When we lived in Canada, there was a month where it snowed every day. Not tons every day, but snow every day. And not just a flake every day, but several inches every day. Every day. To make things worse, there was already a foot or more of snow on the ground when our month of snow began so that by the end of the month, we didn’t have any place to put the new snow. We were flinging new snow over our heads with shovels that were forced to function like lacrosse sticks. The snowbanks that lined our driveway were so high, we looked like we lived in a cave. And driving out of the driveway onto the street was always an adventure (blow your horn first and then go in faith). There was so much snow! And it was beautiful. Let’s face it, if you are going to

The Plan Has a Name

The Plan Has a Name

Here’s what I love about a heist movie. Yes, you have the pay off. So what? And sure, you have the actual heist. Big deal! And most of the time, you have some cause that motivates the whole adventure. Fine and dandy. But what you need is a great plan that requires thought and training to execute it because one false step and everything comes crashing down. In this case, you’re going to need cars and a map of the sewers and something has to be done about those traffic lights. And of course, you’re going to need a “drop zone” to get into the sewers. Show me the plan. Let’s practice the plan; and then, let’s work the plan. The result is that you have a heist movie that will steal my heart. And that is why I love Genesis 12. We’ve got a problem. We’ve got a plan,

Seven in One Blow

Seven in One Blow

When I was a kid, one of my favorite books was Seven in One Blow, the story of a tailor who strikes at a swarm of flies who are interrupting his lunch. He kills seven of them. Impressed by his accomplishment, he sews the words, “Seven in One Blow,” on his shirt and then goes out to seek his fortune. However, everyone who reads his shirt believes he killed seven men. You could say that misreading changes their perception of him. As a result, he vanquishes the giants, saves the day, finds his fortune, and wins the girl. But you would think that anyone who could get seven in one blow would clean up appropriately. Today, we begin looking at Christopher J.H. Wright’s short introduction to the Old Testament which is aptly named, The Old Testament in Seven Sentences (IVP Academic, Downers Grove, IL, 2019). It’s a fun little book,

Rejuvenating Resolutions

Rejuvenating Resolutions

We all love to make New Year’s Resolutions. It’s a great New Year’s thing to do. And our resolutions are usually really good. And yet, by the time we get into the second week of the new year, our resolve usually starts to wane. And that is not good. What we need is some way to rejuvenate those New Year’s resolutions. And what better way to renew those goals than to listen to those who know about when change begins. And where does change begin? It begins in us. Here are ten great quotes about us, about change, and about the time to decide to grow and to be the person God has called you to be. Enjoy! “The most important thing to remember is this: To be ready at any moment to give up what you are for what you might become.” -- W.E.B. Du Bois “It is never

When Does New Year’s Begin?

When Does New Year’s Begin?

Forget about when Christmas begins! When does New Year’s happen? The calendar says it is New Year’s, but I am not sure we can trust our calendars. See, for most of our history, no one knew what the date was—or even what time it was! At least, that is my big take-away from a book a friend co-wrote entitled, The New Millennium Manual: A Once and Future Guide (cowritten in 1999 by Robert Clouse, Richard Pierard and our good friend, Bobby Hosack). Here’s my summary of the story. Apparently, the earliest calendars were all based on the moon. People looked up; and when they saw the new crescent moon, they began a new month. But the lunar calendar was almost 11 days shorter than a solar calendar; and so to keep up with the sun, they had to add an extra leap month every three years. But there were other

Christmas Begins with Things That Don’t Fit

Christmas Begins with Things That Don’t Fit

The Christmas story is a funny story. For all eternity, God had been planning on sending his Son into the world to save fallen humanity; and yet when we read the story, it seems rather poorly planned (at least, according to what I would have done). Think about. You have shepherds welcoming the Messiah! Shepherds weren’t high on anyone’s social registry. If you thought the shepherds were out of place, wait until you see the magi! They were gentile astrologers. They just did not belong. There was also this major celestial event—a star! And yet, nobody seemed to pay any attention to it except for those pagan astrologers. All Jerusalem certainly wasn’t breaking out their telescopes and wondering what it could mean. And when the magi come into Jerusalem to ask for directions, no one accompanies them to see for themselves this one born king of the Jews. And Bethlehem

Christmas Begins with an Image

Christmas Begins with an Image

There are two people. He’s debonaire with a trench coat and a fedora. She’s beautiful with incredibly deep eyes. They are standing face-to-face. A haze engulfs them. It is obvious that they love each other because the scene drips with emotion, but there is also sadness in the air. And while she is also wearing a hat, it is his hat that draws our attention. And rightly so, because it is the iconic take-away for this actor and for this movie. But you already know which movie I am talking about. You correctly identified “The Sound of Music” and “Jaws.” And now you are three for three. He is Humphrey Bogart. She is Ingrid Bergman. And the movie is none other than “Casablanca.” How did you know this movie? Because iconic moments stick with us. I would like to argue that the first Christmas was an iconic moment. I would

Christmas Begins Before the Beginning

Christmas Begins Before the Beginning

When did Christmas begin? Most people would say that Christmas began roughly 2,025 years ago on a cool winter’s December night. And yet, that can’t be right. See, shepherds didn’t pasture their sheep at night during the winter months. That only happened when it was warmer; like in the spring, summer or early autumn. And that means that the first Christmas was most likely on a warm, spring April/May night. And to make things even more complicated, Jesus wasn’t even born in the first year of the new calendar. Now, we can blame a Scythian Monk named Dionysius for that. Dionysius wanted to honor the birth of Jesus by splitting time in half. He wanted the time before Jesus was born to be called “BC” and the time after his birth to receive an “AD” suffix with Jesus’ birth right in the middle. But Dionysius miscalculated the date of Jesus’

Christmas Begins with Longing

Christmas Begins with Longing

When does Christmas begin? We have good friends whose son believes that Christmas can only begin if there is snow on the ground. Every night in December, he prays for snow. We know others who believe that Christmas can only begin once the tree is up and decorated. And I know of parents who would argue that Christmas cannot begin until both parents are up and have a cup of coffee in their hand. When does Christmas begin? I would like to argue that Christmas actually begins with a longing, a hunger for something so big that it sets you on a journey to find it. Sometimes that longing is love. Sometimes it is peace. Sometimes it is a hunger for meaning and significance. And sometimes it’s a craving for joy. These are the longings of Christmas, desires buried deep in our hearts that call us to discover what life

Thanksgiving 2025

Thanksgiving 2025

Everyone loves beautiful things. We hang beautiful things on our walls. We go to art museums and let the art carry us away to beautiful and extraordinary places. We wear beautiful jewelry around our necks and fingers and wrists and hang it from our ears. We gravitate toward beautiful landscapes and scenic locations. Everyone loves beauty. We even love beautiful theology—truths that move us, words that grip us, concepts that free us and then carry us away. The Nicene Creed is beautiful theology. It is present from start to finish as it flows through the magnificence of our faith. But three lines, in particular, stand out as being composed with beauty and grace. Here, we see the composers of the Creed take a complex and once-contested doctrine—who is Jesus?—and make it absolutely beautiful. These eleven words have always captured my heart and my imagination. God from God, Light from Light,

“Be Like Jesus”

“Be Like Jesus”

“The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher.” (Luke 6:40) I’m sure you remember the old schoolyard scam. You tell someone they have discovered a magic lamp and the genie has offered to give them three wishes. “What do you wish for?” you ask innocently enough. They think for a minute and then respond with their best answers. “I would wish for 10 million dollars, a sexy new sportscar and the ability to get a date.” You smile. They have fallen into your trap. Now, it is your turn to show them just how much wiser and more astute you are than they could ever hope to be. You say, “What an idiot! I would ask for 20 million dollars, five sexy new sportscars and three more wishes!” Hilarity ensues as you walk away feeling so superior while they look

“Mission”

“Mission”

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19-20) Even as a kid, it always struck me as odd. You have a super-spy organization, but they have a ridiculous name (the Impossible Mission Force). Worse, they are involved in top-, top-secret missions, but they don’t have a secure office. Instead, they meet in an apartment so that their neighbors can hear what they are up to. The agents are only part-time; and since their other careers are well-known (actors, athletes and models), you would think that someone might recognize them when they were on a job (but luckily, they never do!). And top-secret missions were delivered, not by a real person or even a secure FedEx envelope, but by audio-cassettes, phonograph

“Dogged Tenacity”

“Dogged Tenacity”

Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62) It is one of Woody Allen’s most famous quotes. He said, “Eighty percent of success is showing up.” Now, I guess you can dismiss that quote by questioning how wise Woody Allen is. After all, he is just a film maker. Worse, he hasn’t made a good movie in years. But be that as it may, there are many other people who have argued for a similar point, people like Stephen Hawking (“Half the battle is just showing up.”), business guru Harvey MacKay (“You can beat 80% of the competition just by showing up.”), American entrepreneur Paul Budnitz (“Success is an accident. Showing up, even if it is just for five minutes, makes us accident-prone.”) and the actor Peter Gallagher (“To stay on the map, you’ve

“Suffering”

“Suffering”

“To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.” (1 Peter 2:21) There are a lot of sayings about suffering; most of them, I’ve never heard of before. Sure, we have the ones everyone knows: “suffer a setback,” “suffer an attack (of something),” “suffer under someone,” “suffer the consequences,” and of course, Sylvester’s “Sufferin’ succotash.” But then, we have a whole host of expressions I’ve never heard of before: “Stir suffering into your soup,” “suffering by candle and quill,” “suffering in the shadows,” “suffering at the doorstep,” and “suffering counting the ceiling cracks.” That’s a lot of “new” suffering, but maybe we all need to learn something new about suffering. In Luke 9, Jesus prepares his disciples for what is ahead because what is ahead, is suffering. He says (Luke 9:23): “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and

“Forgiven to Forgive”

“Forgiven to Forgive”

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” (Luke 6:37) I know, it is hard to understand. And that is why we have so many replicas that try to make sense out of it. For instance, Percy Colson said: “Always forgive your enemies. Nothing annoys them so intensely.” I guess that makes some kind of twisted sense, but if we are going in that direction, we need more. We need Isaac Friedmann who said: “Forgiveness is the sweetest revenge.” If only I knew my granting forgiveness enacted a measure of revenge upon my enemies, then I would forgive far more freely. After all, I am way more in favor of getting revenge than in forgiving and forgetting. But does it? I am not so sure. That’s why this quote from John F. Kennedy makes even

“Pray This Way”

“Pray This Way”

“One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.’ He said to them, ‘When you pray, say: “‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. . . .’” (Luke 11:1-2) Back in the day, there was a TV police drama named, “Dragnet.” It set the stage for every good cop show after it with its great staccato musical sting, its gripping storylines, its real-to-life actors (Jack Webb as Sergeant Joe Friday) and its great quotes. “The story you are about to see is true. . . .” “This is the city: Los Angeles, California. I work here. I carry a badge.” “The names have been changed to protect the innocent.” “We were working the night watch. . . .” But today, we want to focus on Sergeant Friday’s most famous line: “Just