The Work/Play Divide

I know not every job is like this, but one of the interesting things about my job is that it is very integrated with my life. Here’s what that means. There aren’t a lot of clear boundaries as to when I’m working and when I’m playing (play here is defined as not work).
Now, generally [...]

Promises of God Revisited

A while back, I wrote about my Top 5 Promises of God. It regularly shows up in my stats as a page people find while searching the internet for stuff. I’m going to be preaching this weekend and again on October 24/25, so I’ve decided to revisit the promises in more depth.
Up first: Rest, Presence [...]

Connecting the Dots: People Matter

I didn’t tell our High School students about our “Super Series” concept we’re currently working through at church. The idea is simple: everyone at church “rowing in the same direction” as we study the same topic across all age groups, from worship to Sunday school to Life groups.
I wish I could say it was part [...]

Becoming Bible Smart

Seth Godin has a good take on becoming a smart person that can apply to the church.  Here’s a portion:
If smart people in your industry are talking about an issue you don’t know cold, it’s very important that you don’t just sit there and nod your head sagely. I think there are two constructive paths. [...]

Sermon Posted: The Helper

I’ve posted the sermon over on the First Trinity Sermon Blog that I teased here a few days ago.  Go check it out if you’re interested in hearing the full version.
Big thanks go out to Dona, who made me cookies since I was preaching.  I think this is a practice we can all learn from.

Groan, Spirit, Groan!

Here’s a little preview of the sermon for you.  We’re looking at some of the things the Holy Spirit does in our lives.  I was struck anew by this verse while preparing:
26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit [...]

The Helper

I’m preaching this weekend for Pastor Chuck as he heads to Ft. Wayne for a Haiti Missions conference.  Last week, he talked about the Ascension of Jesus.  This week we look at the next major event in the life of the church, the giving of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.
I’m curious to know if anyone [...]

Billboard Top Hits: Blame It by Jamie Foxx

Continuing our series, we’re doing Blame It by Jamie Foxx.  Sort of.
The song actually crosses the line for what I’m comfortable playing at Sunday School, so we’re going to look at the key topics Jamie Foxx brings up through a different song: Maybe it’s Maybelline by Relient K.  Here’s the song, courtesy of Grooveshark:

We’ll primarily [...]

Billboard Top Hits: Dead and Gone by T. I.

We’re doing a series in High School Sunday School called Billboard Top Hits.  Youth are able to vote one week for one of six songs, all at the top of a different Billboard Music Chart.  In addition to looking at themes brought out by the music, we’re trying to teach our youth to be discerning [...]

But We Had Hoped

I’m preaching this weekend for Pastor Chuck.  We’ll be looking at Jesus’ appearance to the two people on the road to Emmaus in Luke 24:13ff.  I’m working on the sermon right now and can’t get this verse out of my mind:
But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. (v. 21a)

I guess [...]