Even after 10 trips to Israel, there are some sites that still capture my imagination. One of them is the Pool of Bethesda (picture left.). John 5 describes this pool as the setting of one of Jesus’ most spectacular healings. A man paralyzed for 38 years laid by the pool, along with hundreds of other […]
I’m Amazed
Okay, I knew that our Spiritual Warfare sermon series would be provocative, perhaps controversial, certainly unsettling. But I had no idea the buzz it would unleash. The reports and comments I’m receiving indicate that you are engaging in deep, spirited conversations about a topic that we Presbyterians too often avoid. Even more interestingly, there […]
Stay & Pray
Last year, I met Maggie at the women’s retreat. She had met Bridget when she registered for MOPS and then made another connection with Bridget’s sister-in-law the next day. Maggie and her husband just moved here, and she was about to have a baby. Bridget went out on a limb: “Do you want to come […]
World-changing Prayer
After six months of studying prayer and hearing testimonies of the way the Lord is moving in our community, I think it’s safe to say that God answers prayer. But what about when we are praying for big things? Like really big things? Like World Peace big? Does God answer those prayers? 20 years ago, […]
Horns and a Pitchfork
Those of you old enough to remember the Flip Wilson Show will recall the character, “Geraldine,” whose favorite excuse for her naughty behavior was, “The Devil made me do it!” It was always a big laugh line. And frankly, that’s the way most in our culture think of the Devil—a nasty red cartoon character with […]
Give Up or Give Away?
Lent begins next week on Ash Wednesday with a worship service in the Memorial Chapel at 7:00pm. If you aren’t sure what Lent is, it’s a season the followers of Jesus have recognized since just a few generations after Jesus rose from the dead. This is a time to slow down, be reflective, and prepare […]
…To Have Eyes for the World
By Julie HawkinsDirector of MissionsBe sure to save the date—the evening of March 12—for a special all-church missions event called On Earth As It Is in Heaven! Read more about it below and watch for additional details coming soon. *************** In the Missions Department, we sometimes refer to part of our job as “setting the […]
Our New Pastor
Six years ago almost exactly, Elder Rich Jasper and I made a quick trip to England to visit, among other things, the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics—a one-year training program run by Ravi Zacharias International Ministries, one of our mission partners. We took a red-eye so, when we staggered into the classroom the morning of our arrival, […]
Christian Community
You know that feeling when you’ve spent enough time around someone for them to show their inner goofball? Turns out our whole team is like that. From the pensive Michael Bouterse to the articulate Ellis White, the community developed on this team is one in which all of us got to show our true colors. […]
Unity in Christ
It has been a really, really long week. A good one, for sure, but long. Yesterday the crescendo of excitement, attendance, and encounters with Jesus continued to grow. The two lunchtime talks were the best attended of any that I’ve seen this year or last. The questions were honest, and the answers were articulate. I […]