We Often Feel Like Losers: Who Will Win?
by Alastair Hayward, Guest Preacher Who will win? I guess it depends on the context. Will Bayern win the Champions League this year? Will Liverpool win the Premiership for the first time in thirty years? Will the Cubs win the World Series? Will Donald Trump beat Joe Biden? Will the coronavirus win or will we defeat it in the end? These verses at the beginning of the book of Acts tell us that in the end Jesus wins and is the supreme
From the Pastor: Never Give Up!
Luke 11:5-13: A Friend at Night And he said to them, “Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves, for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; and he will answer from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you
Jesus and Peter: An Inspiration for Us
by Will Powell, Guest Author I’m not sure if any of you have seen the film Kingsman? My son was excited to watch it as a family as our foray into Netflix life under lockdown. For those who haven't seen it, it is a film about a stereotypical “chav” (drop-out) called Eggsy, who hits rock bottom after stealing a car. Finally, he phones a number on a medal. Suddenly, he’s released from prison to be met by Harry Hart. Harry, whose
What If We Lose Everything?
I heard on the news about a man who spent his life building up three restaurants in New York City, and who could easily lose his business and everything he has because (except for take outs and deliveries) his restaurants have been shut down. Another casualty of the coronavirus pandemic. Sadly, this is not some rare exception. Many, personally, professionally, and economically, stand to lose everything they’ve sacrificed for, and built up, over a lifetime. Rich, middle class, and day
Martin Wiles’ Lessons for Children: Jesus Wants Me to Love and Help Others
Martin Wiles’ Lessons for Youth and Children Scripture Reference: The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” -Mark 12:31 Related Scripture Reference: Luke 16:19-31 19 “There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. 20 And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, 21 who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table. Moreover,
Theology Matters: What About the “Other Gospels?”
Over the years, I’ve watched as the attacks on Christian faith have moved from one front to another. When one objection is met and disposed of by counter evidence, another soon follows. These challenges arise first in the universities, and then trickle down into the media (“breaking news”), popular documentaries, and the like. One of the most popular today is the claim that the Church has deliberately ignored, or by “conspiracy” hidden, the fact that there were many other gospels written
Series: The Pursuit – Love God
By Philipp Meinecke, Guest Preacher Today is a special Sunday in many respects as there are several things coming together all at once. For one, according to the liturgical church calendar today is the first Sunday of Lent – a preparation time for Easter in about six weeks. It’s a season during which we give up certain things and replace them with a more intent focus on our relationship with God. If done right, its spiritual merits become visible not only
About the Father’s Business: Fully Embracing and Engaging Jesus’ Mission and Vision for Your Life
By Philipp Meinecke Guest Author 17 From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” 18 While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21 And going
From the Pastor: A Friend of God
Are you a friend of God? Have you ever thought of what that might mean? Or, did you even know that all of us are supposed to be God’s friends? Abraham was called the friend of God. Jesus called his disciples his friends. The idea is thoroughly biblical and is very striking, since it isn’t a topic of daily conversation and is not found in other religions. The grounds for our friendship with God and Jesus are clear and profound: Abraham
Photoshopping Jesus—Because He Just Refuses to Fit In
Have you heard of a raster graphics editor? It is an application that makes it easy to create or edit or retouch photos as one sees fit, and then saves them in formats of JPEG, GIF, PNG, and others. If you haven’t heard of a raster graphics editor, maybe you’ve heard of Adobe Photoshop—one of the most popular raster graphics editors out there. Personally, I’m not that familiar with it, but I live with techies who try and educate me
