At least they worked well for Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758), an early American Congregational preacher and theologian. Many would assert that Edwards was one of America’s most important thinkers.
At just 19 years of age, Edwards wrote and adopted 70 resolutions he used to govern his decision making process through-out his life. Some of them follow. Continue reading
At about 45 years of age, she wore clothes that were beyond trendy. They looked like clothes teens might wear in music videos, although MTV was still 10 years away. Her hair was a sight to behold — jet black against her snow-white skin, it was startling enough, but what really made it remarkable was how she stacked it up on her head, making her four to eight inches taller than she was without it.
We used to say that she played the organ like I would imagine Captain Nemo playing in 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Weaving back and forth dramatically. She played well, and her flamboyant display was captivating at least and entertaining at best.
Somewhere along the way she sensed a call to serve God by teaching the teen Sunday School class — my teen Sunday School class. She taught us about music, training us to discern when we listened to artists. She taught us to welcome people by welcoming us into her home, for a Christmas youth fellowship. She corrected us when we treated others poorly and she encouraged us when she played volleyball with us.
We were blessed because of her service to the Lord. I am glad she didn’t miss her calling.
The following sermon speaks of how important it is for you and me not to miss our calling.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
When I think of love and of Christmas I am tempted to say, “If you want your Christmas to be meaningful, then let’s enter into loving relationships,” but that would be incomplete. Loving people doesn’t just make Christmas meaningful. It makes life meaningful – even rewarding. However, in order to love as you’re wired to love, you have to enter into a loving relationship with God. You do that through Jesus.
The Bible says that Jesus is the way to God. That’s not politically correct. But the Bible indicates that it’s true. Jesus calls himself the gate. He says he is “the way, the truth, and the life.” Peter says there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved. You can know God’s love by receiving Christ as your Savior. Then you can begin to love others from the overflow of Jesus’ love.
The audio below teaches us about different kinds of love and explains how to show the love we should, not just at Christmas, but all-year-round.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download