Emerging from Faith-Struggles — Victoriously…

Growing up on a farm, I’ve used a pitchfork many times. We had some forks that had tines missing, and they were of almost no value at all. You can imagine that a one pronged pitch fork is useless. A two-pronged one is just frustrating to use. If you want a fork that works, it needs to be at least three-pronged.

In Matthew 11, God gives us a three-pronged tool to make it through faith-struggles, victoriously. And although it’s not a pitch-fork, you need all three tines — all three prongs — of the tool. If you’re missing one, your faith will be in jeopardy.

The prongs? Know your Bible. Look for God’s work in your life.  Let God be in charge.

This message gives more instuction on how this tool helps you through faith-struggles.

New Years Resolutions that Work…

Jonathan EdwardsAt 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

Who was that crazy woman?

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.