Creative Space for Wanderers
Sermon for Historic Providence Church, Anderson SC August 9, 2020 Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine. Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine. This is my story. This is my song. Praising my Savior all the day long. Blessed Assurance is one of my favorites hymns. In the old days, we sang hymns crafted from a …
Before me lies a sea of words which ones to choose, said I, the words of a sweet lullaby or words that would make you cry? In these days, we’re tempted, true, to turn away our gaze on you, but let me be the one who stays, who remembers the countless ways you’ve saved us …
One of my favorite verses in Scripture is from Matthew’s incredible account of Jesus’ response to a mother’s request. The mother of the Zebedee sons (James and John), later identified as Salome*, has one favor to ask of Jesus: Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked …
The foundation of this series of posts rests on serving those in need. My assumption from the outset is we agree that serving is important, so it’s essential to stop and consider what it means to serve. Why serve? At its core, serving others is focused on giving up the scarce resource we all have …
In one way or another, we’re all leaders. People will choose to follow (or not) based on our actions, decisions we make, policies we support, or the goals we pursue. Leaders, in this case, suggest those who are leading well, i.e., they are respected and admired. The number of people following is not the point, …
I listened to another sermon by Tim Keller today that caused me to stop and consider my current spiritual maturity. Our culture is pretty good about keeping track of progress during our formative years as humans on the planet. Soon after we’ve learned to walk and talk, we begin the assessment process from Pre-K all …
One of the joys I’ve had in this life is the time I’ve spent with youth and young children. Their perspective on life is untainted, pure, and honest–at least at the youngest end of the spectrum. Our modern culture shatters innocence far too early. As a reluctant middle school pastor, I learned this years ago. …
Suddenly, Thanksgiving and Black Friday are in the rearview mirror. Advent is upon us. This season of hope insists that we look for words of encouragement beyond the sobering headlines. As I wander through the hundreds of verses chosen for this particular study, the words of Isaiah grab my attention. Chapter 61 begins with these …
Pull up a chair. Sit and listen to the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Galatians: All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I had been eager to do all along. The impact of this single verse fails to convey the powerful punch with which it …
Jesus is speaking to a gathering at a prominent Pharisee’s home when He shares a parable that ends with: But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous. Isn’t …
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