Gospel Values: Loving Others (1 John 4:7-21)

MOTIVATE There was a popular children’s book by Margery Williams, called The Velveteen Rabbit. It tells the story of a little boy and his toys. Of course, in imaginary world the toys and the boy’s stuffed rabbit and rocking horse have a conversation: “What is real? The velveteen rabbit asked the horse. “Does it mean…

Gospel Values: God (1 John 1-2:2)

MOTIVATE As many of you know, owning a home can be a lot of work. There is constant upkeep and maintenance; everything from outside property and yardwork to inside cleaning and repair projects. Last week I helped a friend and church member replace ceiling drywall. Fun stuff! The contrast is renting a home. When you…

A Great Task (Nehemiah 4)

Last week we saw how the prophet Jeremiah told God’s people they were going to spend 70+ years of exile in Babylon. Afterward, there was promise of their welfare (shalom) and return home to Jerusalem. When they returned they had to rebuild. The books of Ezra and Nehemiah describe the revitalization process. Specifically, the book…

The Source: Understanding our Bible (pt.1)

Teaching 2: the ROAD of bible intake The 21st Century has awakened an explosion of communication through print of books, newspaper and magazines to other forms in radio, computers, internet and blogs, cell phones and text messaging, iPods and mp3 players to the most intimate of communication, personal relationships and face to face conversation. This…