He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, 15for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth. 16 Many of the people of Israel will he bring back to the … Read More
Walking Home
The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, 2 as it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way”—3 “a voice of one calling in the wilderness,‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’” –Mark 1:1-3 As I mentioned in a post about 10 days ago, … Read More
Grace and Truth
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 (John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, “This is the one I spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because … Read More
Light of God
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 9 The true light that gives light to everyone … Read More
The Power of the Word
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. –John 1:1-4These simple, short words about the Word capture so much … 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
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