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...
Paul
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 #1: Be Strong!
Be Strong! Keep Faith Stay Loyal Have Courage Share Christ Serve Others Go Deep The Heart of a Champion: Be Strong! II Timothy 2:1-7So many times during the recent Olympics, I heard the commentators use the phrase "the heart of a champion". I noticed that the phrase...
Home Improvement #7: The Gripes Of Wrath: Love’s Number One Enemy
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...
Home Improvement #5: Growing Old Without Getting Old
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...
Home Improvement #1: The Commandment You Can’t Always Obey
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...
What To Do When You Don’t Know What to Do #5: The Man Who Came Last
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: The Man Who Came...
What To Do When You Don’t Know What to Do #1: Believe It Or Not
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: Believe It Or Not...
Don’t Be So Heavenly-Minded That You’re No Earthly Good!
Don't Be So Heavenly-Minded That You’Re No Earthly Good!February 4, 1996 | First Presbyterian Church Orlando | I Corinthians 12:27-31If you have ever turned an eye toward the "Peanuts" comic strip, you know that Lucy is madly in love with Schroeder, the musician, but...
Hold Fast To What Is Good
Hold Fast To What Is Good I Thessalonians 5:12-22She certainly made a name for herself. In fact, they called her "Calamity Jane". But interestingly enough, she wasn't a person—she was a putter. Let me explain... Some years ago, a talented young golfer joined the...
Your Attitude Determines Your Altitude!
Your Attitude Determines Your Altitude!November 26, 1995 | First Presbyterian Church Orlando | Romans 12:1-2Ann Turnage is a most remarkable woman. Her husband, Mac Turnage, is an associate pastor at the Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church in Houston, Texas. Her...
Turning Inkblots Into Angels
Turning Inkblots Into AngelsJune 11, 1995 | First Presbyterian Church Orlando | Romans 8:31-39Joseph Craik.My guess is that that name means absolutely nothing to you. However, if you had grown up in Scotland, that name would be instantly recognizable. He lived in...
Be Careful What You Swallow
Be Careful What You Swallow II Timothy 3:10-16In September of 1992, death claimed one of the best known and most beloved writers of our time. His name was Theodore Geisel. That name doesn't ring a bell? Perhaps because you would know him by his pen name, "Dr. Seuss"....
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...
Going Away Into Arabia
Going Away Into Arabia Galatians 1:11-24We are engaged in a 50-day spiritual adventure under the theme, "Facing Down Our Fears." The fear we're concentrating on this week is the fear of living an insignificant life. The great Apostle Paul led anything but an...
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 Gospel: Cheerful Tidings Or Tearful Chidings?
The Gospel: Cheerful Tidings Or Tearful Chidings? Philippians 4:4-7Well, I'm back from my vacation, and boy, am I ever glad!"Well, I'm back from my vacation, and boy, am I ever glad!" You see my wife, Trisha, now more or less lovingly and laughingly refers to our...
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...
Homeward Bound #9: Finishing What We Start
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 #7: Life Is Uncertain, So Eat Dessert First!
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...
Against the Odds #3: The Sandals Of Peace
The Belt Of Truth The Breastplate Of Righteousness The Sandals Of Peace The Shield Of Faith The Helmet Of Salvation The Sword Of The Spirit The Whole Armor Of God Against the Odds: The Sandals Of Peace Ephesians 6:10-15I love the story about the Indian tribe gathered...
Against the Odds #2: The Breastplate Of Righteousness
The Belt Of Truth The Breastplate Of Righteousness The Sandals Of Peace The Shield Of Faith The Helmet Of Salvation The Sword Of The Spirit The Whole Armor Of God Against the Odds: The Breastplate Of Righteousness Ephesians 6:10-14In the newspaper, a few weeks...
Against the Odds #1: The Belt Of Truth
The Belt Of Truth The Breastplate Of Righteousness The Sandals Of Peace The Shield Of Faith The Helmet Of Salvation The Sword Of The Spirit The Whole Armor Of God Against the Odds: The Belt Of Truth Ephesians 6:10-14aThey called her "B. W.". They called her that...
We’re Here For Life #4: A Call To Commitment
A Call To Continuity A Call To Confidence A Call To Compassion A Call To Commitment We're Here For Life: A Call To Commitment Luke 9:23-26One of the great joys of my life is serving this congregation. I don't know that I can thank you enough for the honor I have of...
You Make a Difference #2: Promises To Keep
Total Commitment Promises To Keep Priming The Pump You Make a Difference: Promises To KeepNovember 1, 1992 | First Presbyterian Church Orlando | I Corinthians 15:51-16:3True story. Some years ago, Edward Spencer was a theological student at a seminary in Chicago. One...
You Make a Difference #1: Total Commitment
Total Commitment Promises To Keep Priming The Pump You Make a Difference: Total Commitment Luke 9:57-62Not long ago, I was on a long uneventful flight home to Orlando. I suppose one ought never to complain about an "uneventful" flight, but in this case "uneventful"...
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...
Christian Excellence: The Alternative to Worldly Success #3: The Peril Of Traveling First Class
You Don't Have To Be Less Than The Best Keeping Your Head In The Clouds And Your Feet On The Ground The Peril Of Traveling First Class God Cannot Pour His Riches Into Hands Already Full Christian Excellence: The Alternative to Worldly Success: The Peril Of Traveling...
Christian Excellence: The Alternative to Worldly Success #2: Keeping Your Head In The Clouds And Your Feet On The Ground
You Don't Have To Be Less Than The Best Keeping Your Head In The Clouds And Your Feet On The Ground The Peril Of Traveling First Class God Cannot Pour His Riches Into Hands Already Full Christian Excellence: The Alternative to Worldly Success: Keeping Your Head In The...
Christian Excellence: The Alternative to Worldly Success #1: You Don’t Have To Be Less Than The Best
You Don't Have To Be Less Than The Best Keeping Your Head In The Clouds And Your Feet On The Ground The Peril Of Traveling First Class God Cannot Pour His Riches Into Hands Already Full Christian Excellence: The Alternative to Worldly Success: You Don't Have To Be...
Minor Men With a Major Message #28: John Mark – The Man Who Copped Out And Came Back
The Man Who Snatched Defeat From The Jaws Of Victory The Man Who Wanted Somebody With Skin On The Man God Marked The Man Who Died With No One's Regrets The Man Who Chose The Wrong Friend The Couple Who Paid The High Cost Of Low Living The Man Who Put Profits Before...
In Everything Give Thanks? You Must Be Kidding!
In Everything Give Thanks? You Must Be Kidding!November 23, 1995 | First Presbyterian Church Orlando | Some years ago, while on a speaking assignment in another state, I was invited one evening to have dinner with a family in their home. When we sat down at the table,...