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Matthew

Why I Believe #7: Why I Believe In The Church … And This Church

Why I Believe In The Incarnation Why I Believe In Angels Why I Believe In The Virgin Birth Why I Believe In Jesus Christ Why I Believe In God Why I Believe The Bible Why I Believe In The Church Why I Believe In Heaven Why I Believe In The Atonement Why I Believe In...

The De-Moralizing Of America Is Demoralizing America

The De-Moralizing Of America Is Demoralizing America Matthew 7:24-29 I wish to read for you these words Jesus delivered in the Sermon on the Mount. This is the Word of God. “Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise...

Faces and Places Around The Cross #2: The Roman Barracks

Gethsemane The Roman Barracks Simon Of Cyrene Mary: The Mother Of Jesus Unknown Soldier Jerusalem: The Triumphant Entry The Empty Tomb Faces and Places Around The Cross: The Roman Barracks Matthew 27:17-31 This from the Gospel according to Matthew, and this is the...

A Faith That Sings #7: The Cross: Stumbling Block Or Stepping Stone?

From Crib To Cross To Crown When The Waters Are Deep Jesus Is Coming Soon - Look Busy! Night Is When The Stars Shine The Greatest Storyteller's Greatest Story The Greatest Songwriter's Greatest Song The Cross: Stumbling Block Or Stepping Stone? A Faith That Sings: The...

The Story We Thought We Knew #4: The Wise Men We Ought To Know

The Story We Should Know The Father We Wish We Knew The King We Wish We Never Knew The Wise Men We Ought To Know The Christ We Can Know The Family We Love To Know The Story We Thought We Knew: The Wise Men We Ought To Know Matthew 2:1-12I wish to read for you from the...

The Story We Thought We Knew #3: The King We Wish We Never Knew

The Story We Should Know The Father We Wish We Knew The King We Wish We Never Knew The Wise Men We Ought To Know The Christ We Can Know The Family We Love To Know The Story We Thought We Knew: The King We Wish We Never Knew December 15, 2013 | Memorial Drive...

The Story We Thought We Knew #2: The Father We Wish We Knew

The Story We Should Know The Father We Wish We Knew The King We Wish We Never Knew The Wise Men We Ought To Know The Christ We Can Know The Family We Love To Know The Story We Thought We Knew: The Father We Wish We Knew Matthew 1:18-25I wish to read for you just a...

The Story We Thought We Knew #1: The Story We Should Know

The Story We Should Know The Father We Wish We Knew The King We Wish We Never Knew The Wise Men We Ought To Know The Christ We Can Know The Family We Love To Know The Story We Thought We Knew: The Story We Should Know Luke 2:8-20I read for you a portion of the story...

The Church Is Always Asking For Money: True Or False?

The Church Is Always Asking For Money: True Or False? Matthew 6:19-21 I wish to read for you from the sixth chapter of the Gospel of Matthew, just a handful of words from the lips of Jesus. But these few words are nothing less than the Word of God. "Do not store up...

Encounters With Christ #3: The Woman Christ Complimented

The Nobody Who Became Somebody The Somebody Who Became Nobody The Woman Christ Complimented The Odds Are In Our Favor The Man Locked In A Prison Without Bars The Man Who Died Twice The Beast Who Became Beautiful Encounters With Christ: The Woman Christ Complimented...

The Most … Word #2: The Most Popular Word In The Bible

The Most Useful Word In The Bible The Most Popular Word In The Bible The Most Popular Word In The Bible Matthew 26:26-29It may surprise you to know that the word “bread” is what may be termed the most popular word in the Bible. I went to my Bible concordance recently...

When Were You Converted?

When Were You Converted? Matthew 19:16-22 You know how it is, don’t you, that sometimes brief, apparently insignificant incidents in life actually turn out, upon deep reflection, to have much greater meaning ... That’s exactly what happened to me one day when a fellow...

The Best Loved Carol Of Them All

The Best Loved Carol Of Them All Matthew 2:7-12 Today, I wish to tell you the story of the best loved Christmas carol of them all, weaving in its sublime message and meaning. It is a story which will introduce to us seven people: a village priest, a substitute...

What True Presbyterians Believe #6: Sola Ecclesia

Sola Christus Sola Scriptura Sola Fide Soli Deo Gloria Sola Gratia Sola Ecclesia What True Presbyterians Believe: Sola Ecclesia Matthew 16:13-20In recent years, many within the Presbyterian Church have begun to devalue and diminish the great beliefs upon which the...

The Table That Turned The World Upside Down

The Table That Turned The World Upside Down Matthew 26:20-30 It was such a simple ordinary event, and yet it wound up having earth-shaking, world-changing implications. .. I am referring to the meal shared one evening by a little-known, traveling preacher and a small...

Red Sea Moments

Red Sea Moments August 20, 2006 | Providence Presbyterian Church | Exodus 14:10-22Pray with me, please.Lord, nothing in my hand I bring. Simply to Thy cross, I cling. Amen. Without any doubt, one of the best known, most loved stories in all of the Bible is the great...

No ‘Mulligans’ In Life

No "Mulligans" In Life Matthew 7:13-14 You can tell that I am just back from some vacation time because my mind today turns to the subject of golf—that most divine and most devilish—that most heavenly and most hellish of all our earthly pursuits. Just recently I came...

Home Improvement #9: Mistakes Mothers Must Not Make

The Commandment You Can't Always Obey What Adam Should Have Learned About Eve What Eve Should Have Learned About Adam Teenagers: The People God Didn’t Create Growing Old Without Getting Old Lessons Learned From Two Adoptive Dads The Gripes Of Wrath: Love's Number One...

The First Family Of Our Faith

The First Family Of Our Faith Matthew 1:18-25 Once upon a time ... in a little town called Nazareth, there lived a young woman named Mary and a young man named Joseph… Interesting that for all the impact Mary and Joseph ultimately made upon the world, we know so...

Joseph: A Star On The Christmas Stage

Joseph: A Star On The Christmas Stage December 4, 2005 | PROVIDENCE Presbyterian Church | Matthew 2:19-23A friend I know set out to try to make Christmas an especially significant faith experience for his family one year. So three weeks before Christmas, he bought a...

Ten For Our Time #10: When Desire Turns Deadly

When God Is God When Tolerance Creates Trouble When Profanity Takes Precedence When The Sabbath Is Kept Wholly When Family Comes First When Pro-Life Becomes Principle When Marriage Is A Many-Splintered Thing When Robbery Seems Respectable When Honesty Takes A Holiday...

Ten For Our Time #7: When Marriage Is A Many-Splintered Thing

When God Is God When Tolerance Creates Trouble When Profanity Takes Precedence When The Sabbath Is Kept Wholly When Family Comes First When Pro-Life Becomes Principle When Marriage Is A Many-Splintered Thing When Robbery Seems Respectable When Honesty Takes A Holiday...

Turning The Other Cheek: Wise Or Otherwise?

Turning The Other Cheek: Wise Or Otherwise? Matthew 5:38-48 April 15, 1947. That day ought to be celebrated as a special day of remembrance in the history of this nation for on that day a black man and a white man together changed a game and a nation forever. April...

Ten For Our Time #6: When Pro-Life Becomes Principle

When God Is God When Tolerance Creates Trouble When Profanity Takes Precedence When The Sabbath Is Kept Wholly When Family Comes First When Pro-Life Becomes Principle When Marriage Is A Many-Splintered Thing When Robbery Seems Respectable When Honesty Takes A Holiday...

The Story We Thought We Knew: Why Were the Wise Men Wise?

The Story We Thought We Knew: Why Were the Wise Men Wise? Matthew 2:4-12Why were the Wise Men Wise? Good question. The Wise Men have both fascinated and baffled Bible students for centuries. Precisely who they were we do not know. From whence they came we can only...

The Story We Thought We Knew: A Tale of a Terrorist

The Story We Thought We Knew: A Tale of a Terrorist Matthew 2:7-18 Today I wish to tell you a tale of a terrorist... The terrorist to whom I refer is not the odious, hideous Osama bin Laden but the equally odious and hideous King Herod of Biblical times. History...

Skeletons in God’s Closet

Skeletons in God's Closet Matthew 1:1-16 Call them “skeletons in God’s closet.” I am referring to that long list of hard to pronounce names with which Matthew begins his Gospel. You see Matthew dug way back into the history of Israel, and he put together the family...

All I Really Need To Know I Learned In Sunday School

All I Really Need To Know I Learned In Sunday School Matthew 25:1-13 Some years ago Robert Fulghum had a best selling book entitled, “All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten.” Well, indeed he may have learned all he needed to know in Kindergarten, but I...

Human Cruelty And The Gentleness Of God

Agony In A Garden Blind Justice In The Fox’s Den No Exit Human Cruelty And The Gentleness Of God Human Cruelty And The Gentleness Of God Matthew 27:27-31It is a rare thing, I suppose, for a preacher to spend much time describing the pains and the privations which...

Why I Believe #3: Why I Believe In The Virgin Birth

Why I Believe In The Incarnation Why I Believe In Angels Why I Believe In The Virgin Birth Why I Believe In Jesus Christ Why I Believe In God Why I Believe The Bible Why I Believe In The Church Why I Believe In Heaven Why I Believe In The Atonement Why I Believe In...

Have You Met Jesus? #7: The Woman Christ Complimented

The Nobody Who Became Somebody The Somebody Who Became Nobody The Man Locked In A Prison Without Bars The Men Who Crashed The Party The Man Who Put Christ First The Man Who Was Both Saint And Sinner The Woman Christ Complimented Have You Met Jesus?: The Woman Christ...

A Prayer for Christmas #3: Perserverance Of The Wise Men

Joy Of The Angels Eagerness Of The Shepherds Perseverance Of The Wise Men The Peace Of The Christ Child Obedience Of Mary And Joseph A Prayer for Christmas: Perseverance Of The Wise Men Matthew 2:1-12I suppose that we all get sucked into the frantic rush that is...

Matthew’s Messiah #6: His Resurrection

His Designation His Coronation His Confrontation His Isolation His Humiliation His Resurrection Matthew's Messiah: His Resurrection Matthew 28:1-10Few of us who ever sat at the feet of Dr. Kenneth Phifer, my professor of preaching at seminary, will ever forget the...

Matthew’s Messiah #5: His Humiliation

His Designation His Coronation His Confrontation His Isolation His Humiliation His Resurrection Matthew's Messiah: His Humiliation Matthew 27:27-31It is a rare thing for a preacher to spend much time describing the pains and the privations which Jesus was made to...

Matthew’s Messiah #4: His Isolation

His Designation His Coronation His Confrontation His Isolation His Humiliation His Resurrection Matthew's Messiah: His Isolation Matthew 28:36-46It is said that when Michelangelo was painting the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, he kept fastened to the visor of his cap...

Matthew’s Messiah #3: His Confrontation

His Designation His Coronation His Confrontation His Isolation His Humiliation His Resurrection Matthew's Messiah: His Confrontation Matthew 19:16-22 You know how it is, don’t you, that sometimes brief, apparently insignificant incidents in life turn out, upon deeper...

Matthew’s Messiah #2: His Coronation

His Designation His Coronation His Confrontation His Isolation His Humiliation His Resurrection Matthew's Messiah: His Coronation Matthew 16:13-20It is, I believe, the single most important question in all of the Bible… I refer to the question Jesus put to His...

Matthew’s Messiah #1: His Designation

His Designation His Coronation His Confrontation His Isolation His Humiliation His Resurrection Matthew's Messiah: His Designation Matthew 3:13-17The words seem so simple, so straight-forward, so matter-of-fact: “Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to...

On Not Making The Northwestern Mistake

On Not Making The Northwestern Mistake Matthew 6:1-6Anyone listening to me now who has a connection to the city of Chicago will know the name of Marshall Field, the department store magnate whose business and generosity exercised such a shaping influence on that great...

The Faces and Places of Christmas #4: Jerusalem And The Jealous King

Israel And The Family Tree Nazareth And The Holy Parents Bethlehem And The Wise Men Jerusalem And The Jealous King The Faces and Places of Christmas: Jerusalem And The Jealous King December 24, 2000 | First Presbyterian Church Orlando | Matthew 2:13-23It has always...

The Faces and Places of Christmas #3: Bethlehem And The Wise Men

Israel And The Family Tree Nazareth And The Holy Parents Bethlehem And The Wise Men Jerusalem And The Jealous King THE FACES AND PLACES OF CHRISTMAS: Bethlehem And The Wise Men Matthew 2:4-12Why were the Wise Men wise? Good question. The Wise Men have both fascinated...

The Faces and Places of Christmas #2: Nazareth and the Holy Parents

Israel And The Family Tree Nazareth And The Holy Parents Bethlehem And The Wise Men Jerusalem And The Jealous King THE FACES AND PLACES OF CHRISTMAS: Nazareth And The Holy Parents Matthew 1:18-25Nazareth was not much of a place. It is not mentioned a single time in...

The Faces and Places of Christmas #1: Israel And The Family Tree

Israel And The Family Tree Nazareth And The Holy Parents Bethlehem And The Wise Men Jerusalem And The Jealous King THE FACES AND PLACES OF CHRISTMAS: Israel And The Family Tree Matthew 1:1-17Call them “skeletons in God’s closet”. I am referring to that long list of...

The Good News And The Great News!

The Good News And The Great News! Matthew 4:12-25Just the other day I received a new list of bloopers which have actually appeared in church bulletins. When the bulletins were printed they didn’t quite get the messages right. Listen: Please note that the cost of...

Any Connection Between Sunday Worship And Monday Work?

Any Connection Between Sunday Worship And Monday Work? Matthew 25:14-30As Adam and Eve were being driven out of the Garden of Eden, God said to them: “By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread until you have returned to the ground.” Right there began the view that...

In Today’s Religious Marketplace, Let The Buyer Beware

In Today's Religious Marketplace, Let The Buyer Beware Matthew 17:1-8One year ago, almost to the day, I stood in this pulpit and declared to you that in the coming months and even couple of years that we as a nation would become enmeshed in what I chose to call...

Songs of Faith – Sermons of Grace #9: Who Do You Say That I Am?

The Leadership Style Of Jesus Jesus Is Coming Soon-Look Busy! You Can Fail And Still Not Be A Failure The Cross: Stumbling Block Or Stepping Stone? Carpe Diem-Not A Fancy Name For A Fish Dish! Stop Stewing And Start Cooking Getting Back On Top When Life Gets You Down...

Three Men And A Baby

Three Men And A Baby Matthew 2:1-12Just recently, while driving about the city, I was listening to a talk show on the car radio. The subject had to do with space travel. The featured guest on the talk show was a prominent scientist. A listener called in and asked this...

Two-Thirds Of God Is Go!

Two-Thirds Of God Is Go!November 9, 1997 | First Presbyterian Church Orlando | Genesis 12:1-9; Matthew 9:9-13Some years ago, the late Dr. Bruce Thielemann preached a sermon under the title: “Two-Thirds of God is Go!” The title intrigued me then; it intrigues me still....

This Church Is In Your Hands

This Church Is In Your Hands Matthew 28:16-20Some years ago, there was an older man who lived all alone up in the hills of eastern Kentucky. He was something of a recluse, but he was known throughout the region as “the wise old hermit of the hills”. Everybody talked...

Tales With a Twist #2: Forgiven! Forgotten! Forever!

Eyes Too Busy To See A Forgiving God In An Unforgiving World It's The Little Things That Count The Cost Of Not Loving Is Too Great To Pay Who Said Life Is Fair? Jesus And The Terrible, Horrible, No-Good, Very Bad Day God Threw A Party But Nobody Came! E Unum Pluribus...

Tales With a Twist #11: The Story Of Two Sons

Eyes Too Busy To See A Forgiving God In An Unforgiving World It's The Little Things That Count The Cost Of Not Loving Is Too Great To Pay Who Said Life Is Fair? Jesus And The Terrible, Horrible, No-Good, Very Bad Day God Threw A Party But Nobody Came! E Unum Pluribus...

Fifteen Years And Counting

Fifteen Years And Counting Matthew 16:13-20In a day when two out of three church members are not to be found in their own churches worshipping on any given Sunday...in a day when average church members spend more in a week buying one fast-food meal at McDonald's than...

Tales With a Twist #9: E Unum Pluribus

Eyes Too Busy To See A Forgiving God In An Unforgiving World It's The Little Things That Count The Cost Of Not Loving Is Too Great To Pay Who Said Life Is Fair? Jesus And The Terrible, Horrible, No-Good, Very Bad Day God Threw A Party But Nobody Came! E Unum Pluribus...

Tales With a Twist #8: God Threw A Party But Nobody Came!

Eyes Too Busy To See A Forgiving God In An Unforgiving World It's The Little Things That Count The Cost Of Not Loving Is Too Great To Pay Who Said Life Is Fair? Jesus And The Terrible, Horrible, No-Good, Very Bad Day God Threw A Party But Nobody Came! E Unum Pluribus...

Tales With a Twist #6: Who Said Life Is Fair?

Eyes Too Busy To See A Forgiving God In An Unforgiving World It's The Little Things That Count The Cost Of Not Loving Is Too Great To Pay Who Said Life Is Fair? Jesus And The Terrible, Horrible, No-Good, Very Bad Day God Threw A Party But Nobody Came! E Unum Pluribus...

Sandal-Izing The Gospel

Sandal-Izing The Gospel Matthew 10:5-15Usually when I take to this pulpit, I take aim at your head, or your heart, or both. Today, however, I want to take aim at your feet! Let me explain... In Matthew 10, as Jesus was sending out His disciples on their first training...

The Heart of a Champion #4: Have Courage

Be Strong! Keep Faith Stay Loyal Have Courage Share Christ Serve Others Go Deep The Heart of a Champion: Have Courage Matthew 5:10-16 Let me remind you of something we tend to forget: sometimes the cost of commitment to Jesus Christ can be very high… Several years...

The Whole World In His Hands

The Whole World In His Hands Matthew 25:26-29I look for the truth of God wherever I can find it, and sometimes I find it in the most unexpected places. Like Taco Bell. Let me explain. A handful of years ago, the executives of Taco Bell noticed something that concerned...

Downward Mobility

Downward Mobility Matthew 3:13-17; Philippians"Upward mobility" is one of the catch phrases of our day. However, I must be quick to remind you that in the Bible there is a lot more downward mobility than there is upward mobility. Little wonder. Do you realize that...

Rock-Solid Faith In A Sinking-Sand World

Rock-Solid Faith In A Sinking-Sand World Matthew 7:21-29True story.Some years ago in a small town in central Europe, a visitor saw something that fascinated him. He noticed the villagers in that place performing a most unusual ritual. As they passed by a certain...

All Stressed Up And No Place To Blow

All Stressed Up And No Place To Blow Matthew 11:25-30If you are a member of our congregation here at First Presbyterian, you are aware of the fact that my partner-in-ministry, Dr. Jim Cook, and I are enjoying a lively, loving, light-hearted competition with each other...

The Transforming Touch #3: Nobody’s Born A Bigot!

Taking People Where They Are And Loving Them Into Life O.J. Simpson, Jesus Christ, And Us Nobody's Born A Bigot! Chained By A String What Jesus Wrote In The Sand, He Also Wrote In Blood The Heart Inflamed The Transforming Touch: Nobody's Born A Bigot! Matthew...

Homeward Bound #12: The Choice Is Yours

Life Is Forever! Reflections On The Resurrection The Promise Of The Pearl Someday Our Prince Will Come Take Me Home To My Mother You Can't Take The Sheep From The Shepherd! Life Is Uncertain, So Eat Dessert First! Facing Death Unafraid Finishing What We Start Moments...

Homeward Bound #1: Life Is Forever!

Life Is Forever! Reflections On The Resurrection The Promise Of The Pearl Someday Our Prince Will Come Take Me Home To My Mother You Can't Take The Sheep From The Shepherd! Life Is Uncertain, So Eat Dessert First! Facing Death Unafraid Finishing What We Start Moments...

Pilate: When Winning Is Losing!

Pilate: When Winning Is Losing! Matthew 27:15-26You're a businessman. It's your first day on the job. It's hard to get a job with the economy like it is, so you're doing your best to please. You listen closely to your manager; you pay attention at sales meetings; you...

Caiaphas: When Selling Out Costs Too Much

Caiaphas: When Selling Out Costs Too Much Matthew 26:57-68 Sometimes "selling out" can cost too much! True story. Funny. Speedy Morris is the basketball coach at LaSalle University. A few years ago, he was falling into the trap of enjoying his rise to a position of...

The Church Exists By Mission As Fire Exists By Burning

The Church Exists By Mission As Fire Exists By Burning Matthew 28:6-10Recently a friend shared with me an article clipped from a Dallas newspaper. It was an interview with several kindergarten children, each of them having been asked one question, "Where do babies...

Nothing’s Over Like Christmas When It’s Over!

Nothing's Over Like Christmas When It’s Over!December 26, 1993 | First Presbyterian Church Orlando | Matthew 2:13-21I forget who said it, but even if I don’t remember who said it, I do remember what was said: "Nothing is as over as Christmas when it’s over!" I suppose...

What Can I Give Him?

What Can I Give Him? Matthew 2:7-12One of the most beloved legends of Christmas is the story of "The Little Drummer Boy." When the Christ-child was born, according to the story, many beautiful gifts were brought to the manger, gifts of great value and splendor. But...

Wise Christmas Gifts

Wise Christmas Gifts Matthew 2:7-12Just recently, I came across an absolutely charming little Christmas story. The story burrowed it’s way down into my heart and gave shape and life to this sermon. It’s a story written by a husband whose wife went Christmas shopping...

The Caress Of God

The Caress Of God Matthew 6:1-6Anyone listening to me now who has a connection to the city of Chicago will know the name of Marshall Field, the department store magnate whose business and generosity exercised such a shaping influence on that great city. Some years ago...

Gifts You Give Me Without Even Knowing It

Gifts You Give Me Without Even Knowing It Matthew 22:34-40Dr. Howard Lowry once said: "When one speaks on a significant occasion, he should, before he is finished, say the best thing that he knows." This is a significant occasion-at least it is significant for me. You...

Only Say The Word: The Healing Power Of Human Speech

Only Say The Word: The Healing Power Of Human Speech Matthew 8:5-13A few weeks ago, I received a letter from one of our members, Captain Bob Porter. This is what the letter said: "Dr. Edington, I have often wondered how you conduct your selection of sermon topics and...

Christmas in the Carols #12: Silent Night, Holy Night

Joy To The World Hark, The Herald Angels Sing We Three Kings Of Orient Are O Little Town Of Bethlehem Away In The Manger What Child Is This? O Come All Ye Faithful There's A Song In The Air Angels From The Realms Of Glory It Came Upon A Midnight Clear The First Noel...

Christmas in the Carols #10: It Came Upon A Midnight Clear

Joy To The World Hark, The Herald Angels Sing We Three Kings Of Orient Are O Little Town Of Bethlehem Away In The Manger What Child Is This? O Come All Ye Faithful There's A Song In The Air Angels From The Realms Of Glory It Came Upon A Midnight Clear The First Noel...

You Are A Child Of God-Please Phone Home!

You Are A Child Of God-Please Phone Home! Matthew 6:7-15A wonderful little book graces the shelves of my library. It is called Children’s Letters To God. It's filled with priceless examples of how children communicate with God. One of my favorites goes like this....

Tales With a Twist #3: A Forgiving God In An Unforgiving World

Eyes Too Busy To See A Forgiving God In An Unforgiving World It's The Little Things That Count The Cost Of Not Loving Is Too Great To Pay Who Said Life Is Fair? Jesus And The Terrible, Horrible, No-Good, Very Bad Day God Threw A Party But Nobody Came! E Unum Pluribus...

Les Miserables-The Gospel At Center

Les Miserables-The Gospel At Center Matthew 23:1-12After more than 14,000 performances by twenty-four different theatre companies around the world, "Les Miserables" has become the most popular play ever to appear on the theatre stage. This week the play is being...

Who Will Rule Your Heart?

Who Will Rule Your Heart? Matthew 21:1-11In every heart there is something or someone who rules. There is a king who dwells at the center of every person's life. Royalty takes up residence in every one of us. In each of our lives there is something or someone who...

A Crown Fit For A King?

A Crown Fit For A King? Matthew 27:28-29In Jerusalem today, they call it "Skull Hill." Some say it is the spot where Jesus was crucified, others say not. It doesn't matter. For if it is not the actual spot where Jesus was put to death, it is very near the spot and it...

God Loves To See His Children Fly

God Loves To See His Children Fly Matthew 21:18-22Hans Bobblinger wanted to fly. Problem. Hans Bobblinger lived before there were airplanes. 1600's. Ulm, Germany. You see, he was gripped by gravity and controlled by circumstance, so his greatest dream seemed to be...

The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Christians #8: A Postscript

Trust Tenderness Goodness Commitment Mercy Reconciliation Purity A Postscript The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Christians: A Postscript Matthew 5:1-2, 10-12A few weeks ago, I received a vivid reminder of something we tend to forget: sometimes the cost of...

The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Christians #7: Purity

Trust Tenderness Goodness Commitment Mercy Reconciliation Purity A Postscript The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Christians: Purity Matthew 5:1, 2, 8Travel back with me to the year 1936.Travel back with me to the year 1936. Berlin, Germany. Adolph Hitler was at the...

There Is Only One World Religion

There Is Only One World Religion Matthew 28:16-20One evening, last November, I was on a plane headed home after a couple of long, hard days work in Chicago. Once airborne, I had settled back for some rest and reflection time. Then suddenly the flight attendant was...

The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Christians #6: Reconciliation

Trust Tenderness Goodness Commitment Mercy Reconciliation Purity A Postscript The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Christians: Reconciliation Matthew 5:1-2, 9The Reader's Digest tells about a young boy named Matthew, age 4, setting in the back seat of the family car,...

The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Christians #5: Mercy

Trust Tenderness Goodness Commitment Mercy Reconciliation Purity A Postscript The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Christians: Mercy Matthew 5:1-2, 7Until recently, Apartment #213 on the west side of Milwaukee, Wisconsin was an anonymous place. Now it is universally...

The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Christians #4: Commitment

Trust Tenderness Goodness Commitment Mercy Reconciliation Purity A Postscript The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Christians: Commitment Matthew 5:1,2,5Some reflections from my heart… Before I left for India two weeks ago, a number of our members expressed their best...

The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Christians #3: Goodness

Trust Tenderness Goodness Commitment Mercy Reconciliation Purity A Postscript The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Christians: Goodness Matthew 5:1, 2, 6Steve Lyons will always be known as the baseball player who dropped his pants! I know, you can't believe what you...

The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Christians #2: Tenderness

Trust Tenderness Goodness Commitment Mercy Reconciliation Purity A Postscript The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Christians: Tenderness Matthew 5:1, 2, 4It happened in April of 1984. It wasn't a big thing really. It didn't make the evening news. It had no...

The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Christians #1: Trust

Trust Tenderness Goodness Commitment Mercy Reconciliation Purity A Postscript The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Christians: Trust Matthew 5:1-3If, in the last couple of years, you have had any exposure at all to the world of management training and leadership...

The Bible And Bethlehem

The Bible And Bethlehem Matthew 1:18-25 The Bible and Bethlehem go together. We cannot read the Bible or celebrate Christmas without seeing that they are inseparable. Martin Luther rightly described the Bible as "the manger in which Christ is laid." Just as shepherds...

Christmas in the Carols #8: There’s A Song In The Air

Joy To The World Hark, The Herald Angels Sing We Three Kings Of Orient Are O Little Town Of Bethlehem Away In The Manger What Child Is This? O Come All Ye Faithful There's A Song In The Air Angels From The Realms Of Glory It Came Upon A Midnight Clear The First Noel...

Christmas in the Carols #7: O Come All Ye Faithful

Joy To The World Hark, The Herald Angels Sing We Three Kings Of Orient Are O Little Town Of Bethlehem Away In The Manger What Child Is This? O Come All Ye Faithful There's A Song In The Air Angels From The Realms Of Glory It Came Upon A Midnight Clear The First Noel...