What is a miracle?

What is a miracle? (Click on the sermon title for a .pdf copy)
Mark 1:4-11
January 7, 2018

What is a miracle?

According to the New Oxford American Dictionary a miracle is “a surprising and welcome event that is not explicable by natural or scientific laws and is therefore considered to be the work of a divine agency.”  Something surprising.  Something inexplicable, out of the ordinary. … Continue reading ...

Give her something to eat

Give her something to eat (Click on the sermon title for a .pdf copy)
Mark 5:21-43
June 28, 2015

Matthew, Henry, and Louisa …  These are my children, children to Lynne and myself.

Kaylee, Tristan, Japhy …  These are children to Greg and Michelle.

Brad, Cole, and Emily …  These are children to Cliff and Diane.

Jill and Joel and Jake …  These are children to Craig and Karen.… Continue reading ...

Exasperated

Exasperated (Click on the sermon title for a .pdf copy)
Mark 6:53 – 7:13
August 30, 2015

I am exasperated!  Do you want to know why?  OK, I’ll tell you why!

Some Pharisees and teachers of the Law who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus …

From Jerusalem.  These guys had come a long way!  It’s a hundred-mile trip from Jerusalem to Gennesaret. … Continue reading ...

What about you?

What about you? (Click on the sermon title for a .pdf copy)
Mark 8:27-30
September 13, 2015

Hope is the thing with feathers –
That perches in the soul –
And sings the tune without the words –
And never stops – at all
(Emily Dickinson)

The wings of hope carry us, soaring high above the driving winds of life.
(Ana Jacob)

Meanwhile, these three remain: faith, hope, and love.Continue reading ...

Not everybody can be first, but everybody can be last

Not everybody can be first, but everybody can be last (Click in the sermon title for a .pdf copy)
Mark 9:33-37
September 20, 2015

When they reached the house, Jesus asked them, “So, what were you guys arguing about along the way?”

Dead silence.  Nobody said anything, because they had been arguing about who was the greatest!

Jesus looked around at them and then said, “Come here. Continue reading ...

Bigger than we think

Bigger than we think (Click on the sermon title for a .pdf copy)
Mark 9:38-41
September 27, 2015

Giving a drink of water.  It’s a simple act, but that is why it is so powerful, because it is so simple.  No hidden agendas.  No mixed motives.  No quid pro quo.  You just offer a drink of water, because you want to, because it is needed. … Continue reading ...

Let go

Let go (Click on the sermon title for a .pdf copy)
Mark 10:13-16
October 4, 2015

Jesus was angry.  His disciples were turning people away.  They were turning people away and scolding them for trying to bring their children to Jesus to bless them, and that made Jesus mad!

Jesus was angry!  Hear him!  It’s not (gentle voice):

Let the children come to me, and do not stop them, because the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these.Continue reading ...

Let go

Let go (Click on the sermon title for a .pdf copy)
Mark 10:17-31
October 11, 2015

Is it easy?  Is it easy to enter the kingdom of God?

Oh, yes!  It is easy, so very easy!  This is the seed of hope that is planted in each of you, that it is easy, that you do not have to do anything at all to enter the kingdom of God. … Continue reading ...

You don’t know what you are asking for

You don’t know what you are asking for (Click on the sermon title for a .pdf copy)
Mark 10:32-45
October 18, 2015

Trust in the promise …

When you don’t, you need security fences, safety nets, back-up plans, reinforcements.

When you don’t, you need to build walls. high and thick, and you need to keep a close eye on your enemies and carefully screen your friends.… Continue reading ...

Your faith has made you well

Your faith has made you well (Click on the sermon title for a .pdf copy)
Mark 10:46-52
October 25, 2015

Bartimaeus was loud.  I am quiet.

Bartimaeus was aggressive.  I am restrained.

Bartimaeus was demanding.  I am acquiescent.

Bartimaeus was impudent.  I am polite.

Bartimaeus was blind.  I can see.

Bartimaeus had faith.  And I ……  Maybe I am the one who cannot see.… Continue reading ...