A Hollywood Christmas #5Christmas Day INTRODUCTION: I opened with a clip of a Flash Mob of Christmas music and a nativity. I love the response of the people in the Mall; especially the one little boy and his family. The look of surprise, wonder and joy on their faces had to be the… Read More »
A Hollywood ChristmasChristmas Eve INTRODUCTION: This is the night of all nights. This is the celebration of all celebrations. This is the moment in history which changes all of history. This is the event that changed everything we ever knew about God. Even though God’s Grace was always present, always available, on this night Grace… Read More »
A Hollywood Christmas #3Advent Matthew 2:1-12 (NRSV) [1] In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, [2] asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come… Read More »
A Hollywood Christmas #2Advent INTRODUCTION: We all know no matter what time in history you pick, it is not easy being a father. Speaking from his own personal experience, one cynic said children go through four fascinating stages with their fathers. First they call you DaDa. Then they call you Daddy. As they mature… Read More »
A Hollywood Christmas #1Advent INTRODUCTION: It was scandalous, absolutely scandalous. The law said she should be put to death by stoning. Such a thing was NOT supposed to happen, even though everyone knew that it did, they had been teenagers at one time. The sad part is that she had always been such a… Read More »
Thanksgiving Sunday INTRODUCTION: A number of years ago I had the privilege of being the pastor a little boy by the name of Robert. Robert was about 2 ½. His parents shared with me that Robert was learning what giving thanks to God is all about. His mother told me that during their family… Read More »
Cruising on the Disciple Ship #4Stewardship INTRODUCTION: Yes, Hip IS temporary. Everything that is IN eventually goes out of style. Yes, as embarrassing as it is to admit, your parents and grandparents really danced and dressed like that. And unfortunately, Yes, there really is a “How To Be Hip University” in Antioch, California.… Read More »
Cruising on the Disciple Ship #3Stewardship INTRODUCTION: My wife, Mary, used to have a cookbook titled “The More With Less Cookbook.” It was written to challenge North Americans to consume less so others could have enough to eat. The book has sold nearly a million copies since its release in 1976. The current version… Read More »
Cruising on the Disciple Ship #2Stewardship INTRODUCTION: Maybe you heard about the woman who was on her very first cruise. Everything was fine until they hit a little bit of rough sea and she became terribly seasick. A member of the crew found her hanging over the rail, tossing her offerings to the waves.… Read More »
Cruising on the Disciple Ship #1 Stewardship INTRODUCTION: The movie ‘Coach Carter’ is based on the true story of Coach Ken Carter, a controversial high school basketball coach played by Samuel L. Jackson. Coach Carter took the coaching job under his rules. He believed that the players had to maintain good grades and become a… Read More »