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...
Softening the pain of heartbreaking grief
A Mother’s Worst Nightmare
A Mother's Worst Nightmare John 19:23-27 It had to be a mother’s worst nightmare… The Bible says, “Near the cross of Jesus stood His mother...” Note that please. His mother was there. It was a ghastly, hideous, terrible thing for her to see. She had brought Him into...
Eyes Cleansed By Tears See More Clearly
Believe It Or Not Eyes Cleansed By Tears See More Clearly Sticking Your Toe Into A Sea Of Joy Jesus Died Of A Broken Heart The Man Who Came Last The Day The King Cried An Easter Symphony In Four Movements Eyes Cleansed By Tears See More Clearly Isaiah 43:1-11When you...
Cross Words #1: You Can’t Step In The Same River Twice
You Can't Step In The Same River Twice Thirsty Lips and A Thirsty Heart The Very First Christian God's Light In Dark Times A Staircase To Heaven A Dying Word And A Living Faith Cross Words: You Can't Step In The Same River Twice Luke 23:26-34“No one can step into the...
A Day Of Pain And Gain
A Day Of Pain And Gain Mark 3:31-35 Tuck this away in your memory bank. The first Mother’s Day service was held in Grafton, West Virginia on May 10, 1908. It was the brainchild of a woman named Anna Jarvis as a tribute to her own mother. One year earlier in 1907, Anna...
Walking A Lonely Road
Walking A Lonely Road Luke 24:13-35 Have you ever been to Emmaus? I do not mean literally, of course. I do not mean the specific village, which we are told in Scripture, was seven miles from the city of Jerusalem. In fact, you cannot go to the literal Emmaus. It has...
A Provocative Church #6: Undaunted By Difficulty
Embracing In Spirit Focused On The Truth Teaching With Boldness Holding Fast To Hope Centered On The Savior Undaunted By Difficulty Saved By Grace Courageous At All Costs A Provocative Church: Undaunted By Difficulty II Corinthians 12:1-10On this Veteran’s Day...
Only One Came Back
Only One Came Back Luke 17:11-19 As I thought about what to say to you on this Thanksgiving Day, one of the things that I did was to dig back into my old history books to remind myself of the story of the first Thanksgiving. The story began well over a year before the...
Philippians: The Hardest Goal to Achieve
Philippians: The Hardest Goal To Achieve Philippians 4:8-10I have to confess to you that of all the words written by the great Apostle Paul, the words which are the most difficult for me to grasp are these words: “I have learned to be content with whatever I have.”...
When You Have To Go To Plan B
When You Have To Go To Plan B January 30, 2000 | First Presbyterian Church Orlando | II Corinthians 12:1-10I love that “Peanuts” cartoon where Charlie Brown and Lucy are engaged in conversation. Lucy says: “You know, Charlie Brown, life is like a deck chair. Some...
Some Of The Best Days Of Your Life Haven’t Happened Yet!
Some Of The Best Days Of Your Life Haven’t Happened Yet! II Peter 3:1-13“Isn’t it reassuring to know that some of the best days of your life haven’t happened yet?” That line did not come from the Bible—it came from an ad for a cruise line. However, it could have come...
A Portrait of Jesus Painted By His Best Friend #5: His Power
His Person His Purpose His Peace His Position His Power A Portrait of Jesus Painted By His Best Friend: His Power John 20:1-18Easter is a lot like Christmas. It is not a time for learned discourses or complex theology. Rather, it is a time to tell a story—a story that...
The Prince of Egypt, The Servant of God #4: Sand In Your Shoes, Thorns In Your Side!
Burning Bushes And Blazing Hearts The Courage Of Our Imperfections When God Says “Move”, Go Where He Leads Sand In Your Shoes, Thorns In Your Side! It Isn't Over 'till It's Over! The Prince of Egypt, The Servant of God: Sand In Your Shoes, Thorns In Your Side! Numbers...
A Journey With God #4: Cross Prayers
That’s What Friends Are For A Tale Of Two Sisters Love Means Saying "I'm Sorry" Cross Prayers The Gift You Won't Want To Return A Journey With God: Cross Prayers Luke 23:32-49I want to tell you about two men, each of whom rode into a city to die and each of whom...
What To Do When You Don’t Know What to Do #7: An Easter Symphony In Four Movements
Believe It Or Not Eyes Cleansed By Tears See More Clearly Sticking Your Toe Into A Sea Of Joy Jesus Died Of A Broken Heart The Man Who Came Last The Day The King Cried An Easter Symphony In Four Movements What To Do When You Don't Know What to Do: An Easter Symphony...
Rising To The Occasion-Once And For All
Rising To The Occasion-Once And For All Luke 24:1-12Her name was Carol Johnson. She was the organist at her church. She was an outstanding musician, but she did something no organist or preacher should ever do. She overslept on Easter Sunday morning, and missed the...
No Failure Is Ever Final!
No Failure Is Ever Final!March 19, 1995 | First Presbyterian Church Orlando | Romans 5:1-5I serve on the Board of Trustees at Montreat College, and it is at this time of the year that the Board certifies those who will receive both earned and honorary degrees. An...
Home For Christmas #5: Some Christmas Memories
Make Your Heart Christ’s Home The Best Christmas Presents Are Wrapped In Heaven No Songs Like The Old Songs When It Is More Blessed To Receive Some Christmas Memories Home For Christmas: Some Christmas MemoriesDecember 24, 1994 | First Presbyterian Church Orlando |...
Home For Christmas #1: Make Your Heart Christ’s Home
Make Your Heart Christ’s Home The Best Christmas Presents Are Wrapped In Heaven No Songs Like The Old Songs When It Is More Blessed To Receive Some Christmas Memories Home For Christmas: Make Your Heart Christ’s Home John 1:1-5The letter came at Christmas time, tucked...
Homeward Bound #10: Moments Difficult To Treasure
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...
Saul #4: A Permanent Solution To A Temporary Problem
Saul: Living Like A King's Kid Saul: You And God Are A Majority Saul: A Tale Of Toil And Trouble Saul: A Permanent Solution To A Temporary Problem Saul: A Permanent Solution To A Temporary Problem I Samuel 31:1-7I know it is hard to believe, but it is true… Every four...