Monday, April 22, 2013

the last unicorn

This Sunday's message is looking at forgiveness in marriage.  In my reading, studying, and even listening I came across a powerful song that speaks to the brokenness of marriages through infidelity. 

The Last Unicorn by Passenger

Well we’ll kiss for that’s how it begins,
We’ll embrace just to warm our skins.I’ll think of her and you’ll think of him.

And we’ll talk to keep the silence from our ears,And we’ll laugh because we’re so close to tears,We’re just lonely, you know, that’s why we’re here.


Cause you don’t taste like you should,And you don’t fit in my arms like she would.Lying in the dark, it’s understood:We are both lost.And we won’t be found.


We will wake up with each other in our paws,You cover over white bits like I’ve not seen them before.We’ll say goodbye and then we’ll say no more.


Cause hearts won’t buy love and nor will they sell,And there is no love in this hotel.Though we’re walking home we know too wellWe are both lostWe are both lostAnd we won’t be found.


She was my compass,He was your map,We’ve come too far to be turning back.


And we’ll sit on our single beds,Nothing on our hearts and tears on our threads,For we know the last unicorn is dead.

Sunday, April 21, 2013

Letting Go


Forgiveness in Families

Genesis 40

The story of Joseph


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Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Forgiving the Unforgivable


Forgiveness Series - Week 2

Romans 12, Matthew 18, Matthew 5 for Scripture reference:

How do we forgive others when they do not ask for forgiveness?


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Sunday, April 7, 2013

The Need for Forgiveness


Forgiveness Message Series

Week 1 - The need for forgiveness

Psalm 32.  


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Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Easter People


How long does it take for us to forget that we are an Easter people?   For me, like many pastors, it is humbling to have the opportunity to stand before a congregation and speak.  It is the congregation that grants me the right to speak.  Even though the calling may come from God, it is the people who give the authority because they show up each week.  With this said, it is always humorous to think about what people have said to me as they leave the sanctuary each Sunday. 

I remember teaching on the verse ‘do all things without grumbling and complaining’ and wouldn’t you know it, the dear Jesus-loving folks just couldn’t even make it out of the room before they had to let me know what was on their mind about something going wrong.  At least let me have the surety of a job well done and hold your grumbling until you get outside in the parking lot like the rest of American Christians.  Some have even been able to make it all the way to the lunch table.  Now that is really getting it.   

Of all days when we celebrate the victory of God, the joy of the Resurrection, and the hope found in Christ, I thought we could at least have a moment after the service where we could wish each other Happy Easter and live in the beauty of the day of Resurrection.  Well… not quite.  Right after hearing a message about trusting God for the new things He will do and the new day He has brought, here we go living in the past once again. 

How quick we forget who we are called to be and what we are called to do.  Let’s take a moment to learn and remember together.

Easter people, raise your voices,
sounds of heaven in earth should ring.
Christ has brought us heaven’s choices;
heavenly music, let it ring.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Easter people, let us sing.

I wonder what sort of choices heaven has… does it look any different than the way we choose things?  What if we could choose, as even heaven so desires.

Fear of death can no more stop us
from our pressing here below.
For our Lord empowered us to
triumph over every foe.
Alleluia! Alleluia! On to victory now we go.

If we no longer fear death, what then do we fear?  Why do we fear those who are different from us?  Why do we fear the unknown?

Every day to us is Easter,
with its resurrection song.
When in trouble move the faster
To our God who rights the wrong.
Alleluia! Alleluia! See the power of heavenly throngs. 

Today is the day the Lord has made – let us rejoice and be glad in it.  Every day to us is Easter.  What a powerful thought.

Easter people, raise your voices,
sounds of heaven in earth should ring.
Christ has brought us heaven’s choices;
heavenly music let it ring.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Easter people, let us sing!

Peace to you, Easter people.

llegitimi non carborundum