Like you, I was deeply grieved when I awoke this morning and discovered the news of the brutal and violent killings at the Batman movie in Colorado last night. I am angry. We should be able to attend a movie without fear of mortal violence. We are rightly outraged by mass murder events which are happing with increasing frequency.

 

Lest we forget, there are brutal killings, sexual assaults, beatings and abuse in our city and in our own neighborhoods on a daily basis. It is easy to grow numb to the daily trickle of violence, and be awakened only when a “mass violent attack” has been committed. Please be in prayer today for the recovery of those injured, for the police, hospital and emergency personnel, for the families of the victims, for everyone involved. I am going to share Sunday in our gathered worship how we as followers of Christ are to respond to such events and more to the point what do these events indicate about God, our culture and our future? I will seek to address how we are to live out the gospel in a violent culture - a culture that it is shocked and horrified at mass violence, never the less is enticed by violence in media and entertainment.

 

I am spending much time in prayer today and tomorrow to prepare to share a relevant, gospel focused and Biblical center message on this most important issue. Please, as you are able be with your gathered church this Sunday at 10:45

Down by the River

In Isaiah 33:21 the prophet describes the Lord will be for us "a place of broad rivers and streams"

this sermon
from Oct 25, 2009 explores the beauty of this statement and discovers the rich blessing this truth reveals to all who are in Christ.

It is far too easy for us to forget the tremendous blessing that is our Lord and the faithful way He provides for His children. Far too often we allow Satan to distract our eyes and hearts from all the goodness that is ours in Christ and in doing so we rob God of His glory and deny ourselves the joy of living a life in Christ.

As you listen to this message remember all the times that He has provided for you, recall your lost condition and the amazing grace that sought you and saved you. Recall the rich treasure that is the scripture and the stories of old and promises for tomorrow. Rest assured in the eternal safety that is found in the arms of Jesus. Yes, Isaiah said it well, our Lord is for us "a place of broad rivers and streams"

This is one of my very favorite versions of the old gospel song "Down by the Riverside." This is Rosetta Tharpe...gotta love this, especially her guitar! This song has little to nothing to do with the sermon expect they both have "river" in the title, by hey its my blog and I dig this song.

temptations

This sermon from Oct. 18, 2009 has three points...but I only covered two of them, my time ran out. But hey, God is teaching me that it is better to get across one or two points that people can (hopefully recall) then to simply try to get three points in because I had three points when I went to the pulpit. The older I get the more I realize that sometimes less really is more, God can do so much more when I am so much less. So if you want the third point, give me a call and I will come to your house and share it with you...or maybe on the phone...or maybe in an upcoming sermon, as God wills.

The text, Matt. 4:1-11 deals with the very unique situation of Jesus being tempted by Satan. Wow...there is so much in this text that I could never finish it in one sermon, as I found out.

Take a few minutes and listen to this message"
And then examine how you deal with temptation. Our Lord provides an awesome model for us to follow as we combat the temptations that comes to us everyday. As a Christian we need to always remember the scripture makes it clear in I Corinthians 10:13 13 "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

In 1978 I was a senior in High school and the single most impacting musician in my life at the time was Keith Green. If you don't know anything about Keith, google him and you will learn a lot. His songs were passionate, Christ centered and mission focused. Keith was unlike the majority of Christian musicians of his day or any day. He died a sudden death in a plane crash, but his music and his passion continue to bless generations of Christians.

This video is from 1978, the song is called "Dear John Letter to the Devil" It is a little (OK a lot) different, but I recall as a teenager singing this song in my pickup as it played on my "under dash" cassette player. So, indulge me and let me post this song about defeating the Satan because that is exactly what Christ gives us the power to accomplish. And if you are inclined check out more of Keith Green's music, I hope it speaks to you as it has to me, for more than 30 years.