The Shelter of His Wings
By Dave Lyman | June 17, 2008
If a person is wearing the prayer shawl (Tallis) and stretches out his arms it can look like a bird spreading its wings. So the corners and edges of the Tallis are referred to as wings. Read the rest of this entry »
Topics: Devotionals, Psalms | No Comments »
Oxygen Mask
By Dave Lyman | June 17, 2008
Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. - Deut. 6:4-7 Read the rest of this entry »
Topics: Deuteronomy, Devotionals, Practical Advice | No Comments »
The Cross? So What?-John 18 & 19 (Good Friday)
By Charlie Vensel | June 14, 2008
ME:
There is a question I’ve heard a lot over the last few years as I’ve shared my faith with those who have had serious and sincere questions about Christianity. Most of these were not really believers, but open-minded people willing to hear me out. “Why would you want to be a priest (as if it were a choice),” they would ask. They really wanted to understand why I would make such a “career” change, why so many people around the world would devote their lives to following Christ, and why those that did were so insistent that others should too. Read the rest of this entry »
Topics: Good Friday, John | No Comments »
Jesus Is Lord!-John 2:1-11
By Charlie Vensel | June 14, 2008
Americans are bombarded with advertising slogans. In fact, according to CBS.com, “…we’ve gone from being exposed to about 500 ads a day back in the 1970’s to as many as 5,000 a day today.”[1] In an effort to maximize the impact of their message, marketers, perhaps better than any other profession, are gifted at both creating and perceiving the buyer’s culture. By creating the desires in our culture, they are able to paint the picture of what America should want; but they are not doing so in a vacuum. They also perceive the culture as it is, reflecting the cultural trends that already exist, echoing them back to us in sound bite form. If we look at just two of the recent slogans, I think that between the lines, we can catch a glimpse of what America values: Read the rest of this entry »
Topics: John | No Comments »
The Light Shines In The Darkness (Christmas Eve)-John 1:1-14
By Charlie Vensel | June 14, 2008
Let me begin by reading a few announcements from a collection of old church bulletins. These are actual announcements. I hasten to add that none of them appeared in our church bulletin. One read, “This being Easter, we will ask Mrs. Lewis to come forward and lay an egg on the altar.” Another, “Thursday night Pot Luck Supper. Prayer and medication to follow.” Still another, “This afternoon there will be a meeting in the South and North ends of the church. Children will be baptized at both ends.” And, “Thursday at 5:00 p.m. there will be a meeting of the Little Mothers’ Club. All wishing to become little mothers, please see the minister in his study.” And finally, “At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be ‘What is Hell?’ Come early and listen to our choir practice.” Read the rest of this entry »
Topics: Christmas Eve, John | No Comments »
Show No Partiality To The Rich Of The World Because God Favors The Poor In Spirit-James 2:1-13
By Charlie Vensel | June 14, 2008
Introduction: I grew up in an upper-middle-income home in northern Florida. Yet, from about the time I was old enough to remember, my parents were making their ways up the social ladder. Their careers were going well, the $115 mortgage payment was starting to look small, and our vacations were getting nicer. I remember the special dinners out when my parents would talk about my mother’s bonus or the new bid my father was just awarded. Read the rest of this entry »
Topics: James | No Comments »
Awaken The Dead-Ezekiel 37:1-14
By Charlie Vensel | June 14, 2008
NOTE: This sermon is based on one by Rev. John Holland at New Covenant Church in Oviedo, FL.
In May of 1990, Cable television mogul Ted Turner criticized Christianity and said Jesus probably would “be sick at his stomach” over the way his ideas have been “twisted,” the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. Read the rest of this entry »
Topics: Ezekiel | No Comments »
The Shortest Distance Between Two Lines Is A Straight Line (Children’s Sermon)-Ephesians 5:1-17
By Charlie Vensel | June 14, 2008
Objects Needed: An obstacle course [small tables, waste baskets, hall trees, chairs, piano bench.] Each of the items should have a tag attached that speaks of some sin such as hate, jealousy, stealing, greed, dishonoring parents, etc. The course can be set up in the center aisle after the children gather up front. Read the rest of this entry »
Topics: Children's Sermons, Ephesians | No Comments »
Thanksgiving Eve-Deuteronomy 8:1-3, 6-20
By Charlie Vensel | June 14, 2008
A story is told about a man who was on a luxury liner and suddenly he falls overboard. He can’t swim and in desperation he begins calling for help. Now it just so happens that there were several would-be rescuers on deck who witnessed the incident. Read the rest of this entry »
Topics: Deuteronomy, Thanksgiving | No Comments »
The Provocative Church-Creating Desire & Provoking Questions (1 of 6)
By Charlie Vensel | June 14, 2008
NOTE: This Sermon Series is based on Graham Tomlin’s Book, The Provocative Church, and a sermon series done by Rev. John Holland at New Covenant Anglican Church in Oviedo, FL.
A story is told about a man who was on a luxury liner and suddenly he falls overboard. He can’t swim and in desperation he begins calling for help. Now it just so happens that there were several would-be rescuers on deck who witnessed the incident. Read the rest of this entry »
Topics: Uncategorized | No Comments »