The following is the text of a talk I delivered at The Huddle, a lunchtime Life Group for men I founded with my friend Nate Barrett in September 2011. I gave this talk to 57 men who had gathered for lunch, encouragement and prayer on Wednesday, December 14, 2011.______________________________ The Bible uses the word “Father” 1103 times! That’s partly because … Read More
A Prophet is Coming
The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him. 16 For this is what you asked of the LORD your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly when you said, “Let us not hear the voice of the LORD our God nor see this … Read More
Where Are You?
Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden. 9 But the LORD God called to the man, “Where are you?” 10 He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was … Read More
Beautiful Feet
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news,who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation,who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”8 Listen! Your watchmen lift up their voices; together they shout for joy.When the LORD returns to Zion, they will see it with their own eyes.9 Burst into songs of joy together, you ruins of Jerusalem,for the LORD has comforted his … Read More
God’s Highway
Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. 2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the LORD’s hand double for all her sins. 3 A voice of one calling:“In the wilderness prepare the way for the LORD[a];make straight in the desert a highway for our God.[b]4 Every valley shall be raised up, every … Read More
The Unexpected Gift–December 2011 Series
I’m looking forward to our Sunday morning series that will start next Sunday, December 4! We’ll be focusing on characters from the gospel narratives that surround Jesus’ birth. To begin the series, we will look at the character of Zechariah, the father of Jesus’ cousin, John the Baptist. An angel comes with great news, but the old priest won’t believe … Read More
Creating Perspective
As a pastor I sometimes find myself in conversations with people who are looking to find perspective about the issues that have begun to crowd their lives. Just like the people who might be stuck in a traffic jam on the roads in the picture here to the left, it would be helpful to be able to be lifted up … Read More
Steve Jobs and Vision
My wife, Tracy Bradford, wrote some great words about Steve Jobs and his passing last night. I just wanted to share them with you here. How do these words strike you and your life? “It’s striking that on a day when protesters against Wall Street are increasing, the world is mourning the loss of a CEO. I think people look … Read More
STORYTELLER–October & November 2011 Series
I can’t believe it’s already October! I’m looking forward to delivering a series of life-changing messages on some of the most famous stories Jesus told. You may know one of Jesus’ primary ways of teaching was through the “parable”–an earthly story that conveys heavenly truth. These stories are rich in meaning and application. Bring someone to church with you and … Read More
Merciful
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy” (Matthew 5:7).So, what’s it mean to be merciful, anyway? Mercy happens when you see some one’s suffering and you do something to alleviate it or end it. Mercy doesn’t happen because someone deserves it, but because someone decides to take action to help someone out who is suffering.Mercy plays a role … Read More