It’s one of those phrases that you hear every once in a while but I’m not always sure that those using it are aware of the context. It often involves someone who is in a tough spot and they will say “I felt like Daniel in the lions den.” But it is just something they…
Bend, Bow or Burn
They had always wondered what it would like to stare into the face of imminent death. Well actually they had never wondered what it would be like to stare into the face of imminent death, but here they were anyway. Three young men who were only doing what they thought was right and now they…
A Day at the Beach, The End
And so it ends where it began. It seems fitting that the Jesus initiated Peter’s call on a beach, confirmed his call on a beach and now is finalizing his call on the beach. And not just any beach, the same beach. But before we start today’s message, a story. It was the year after…
Pigs on the Beach
It wasn't your typical day at the beach. Instead of beach umbrellas, lounge chairs and a sandcastle, we have a cemetery, a violent man, the supernatural, outraged citizens and pigs. And I'm pretty flexible, especially about beaches, but I draw the line at pigs on the beach. This is week four of our Day at…
Master of the Wind
It was a dark and stormy night. I’ve always wanted to start a story like that. The wind howled blowing the top off the breakers before they crashed back into the troughs below. The darkness was broken by momentary streaks of light as the clouds raced across the face of the full moon. Could it…
A Day at the Beach, Because you Say So
Have you ever been tired? I mean, dead beat tired? They had fished all night and caught nothing, nada, zip and they were exhausted, but there was still work to do. The nets had to be washed to get the seaweed and guck out and everything had to be put away before they could go…
A Day at the Beach: the Beginning
This time of year it’s easy for our minds to drift to warmer climes and the beach. If you close your eyes you can almost envision the turquoise water, the white sand and a palm tree that you can lean back on. I love being close to the water. Maybe it’s the fact that my…
Fresh Vision
We are not drunk! Interesting way to start a conversation but that’s basically how today’s scripture begins. And if you are going to start a conversation by telling people that you aren’t drunk it’s safe to assume that at least some of the folks you are talking to thought you were drunk. So let’s put…
Walking as He Walked
How many people here walk? We all walk, sometimes we walk short distances, sometimes we walk long distance but for the most part we all walk. It really isn’t rocket surgery. All you have to do is put one foot in front of the other. And in case you have problems with that I googled…
Christmas: a Line in Time Defining Life
It was almost as if someone had dragged a stick though the sand drawing a line that said that was then and this is now. There has never been an event in the history of man that has so defined human history as the birth of Jesus. And it began when God interrupted the life…