What Would Your Last Prayer Be?
Are you following Jesus today? I mean really following? A thought occurred to me that might help answer that question. John 17 is Jesus’ last major time of prayer before his death. “Father, the hour has come… I am coming to you now..” are words that almost sound like a debriefing before the final stretch. […]
Encountering the Miraculous
Anthony and his family have been a part of our church for years. Now in his late 20’s, Anthony is one of those individuals that continually reminds us that having special needs often results in a surprising amount of love and joy that is unexpectedly experienced on behalf of those he interacts with. Anthony adds […]
Are Teens Becoming “Fake” Christians?
(CNN) — If you’re the parent of a Christian teenager, Kenda Creasy Dean has this warning: Your child is following a “mutant” form of Christianity, and you may be responsible. Dean says more American teenagers are embracing what she calls “moralistic therapeutic deism.” Translation: It’s a watered-down faith that portrays God as a “divine therapist” […]
Redeeming the Imagination
I believe prayer is often misunderstood. We know what prayer is – talking to God. “Prayer doesn’t have to be complicated.” That’s what we tell new believers, especially. “Just talk to God as if He were right next to you, because He hears you.” And of course, this is true. But we don’t always seem […]
The Full Consequences of Unity & Disunity
“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” John 17:20-21 Is the church united today? […]
National Debt, Impending Disaster, and the Christian Response
Our nation has gone massively into debt. We hear about the national deficit quite a bit, but I wonder if perhaps we don’t fully understand the full implications of our predicament. Up to this point in history, America has never faced a problem quite like this. According to one documentary, we are probably almost beyond […]
What Happens When a Generation Won’t Grow Up?
In today’s world we don’t hear a lot of voices or messages emphasizing the need for maturity. This is true of the church and our culture in general. There are a lot conflicting values that we become indoctrinated with, but maturity is not really on the radar for the most part. In contrast, other messages […]
A Sermon Delivered in a Back Yard
The following is a touching response to one of the projects our church embarked on this Sunday, in which we were challenged to “preach the sermon” using our hands and feet (hear the latest sermon series at http://www.accweb.net/listen.html). This was sent by Derald, a member of our church: A week ago it was announced that […]
The Awkwardness of Service
For anyone who claims to have a Christian worldview, service is generally seen as a good thing. It is, after all, one of the most Christ-like things anyone can do. And yet when it comes to actually getting your hands dirty and serving someone where there is a need, let’s face it. It can be […]
What Kind of God Would He Be if He Didn’t Get Angry?
From Pastor John Douglas’ “Thoughts for the Day.” Good Morning: Isaiah 8-12 What kind of God would He be if He didn’t get angry. If he stood by and watched the powerful slay the innocent. If He ignored the cries of children watching brutal acts of terror against parents, against siblings, against their neighborhoods. Mothers […]