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FIRST WORD – 9.19.24 “Wisdom”
9/19/2024
“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.” James 3:13 (NIV)James begins with a question: “Who is wise and understanding among you?” Do you have wisdom and understanding? James teaches us that our actions reveal our level of…
FIRST WORD – 9.12.24 “Taming Tongues”
9/12/2024
3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5 Likewise, the tongue is a small…
FIRST WORD – 8.22.24 “Full Armor”
8/22/2024
“Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” Ephesians 6:13 (NIV) Why do we wear clothes? Have you ever thought about it? There are two primary reasons we wear clothes –…
First Word – 9.6.24 “Shining the Light”
9/6/2024
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 (NIV) Have you ever been out in a rural area on a moonless night? If the sky is clear, looking up you can see billions of stars in the Milky Way.…
FIRST WORD – 8.15.24 “Real Presence”
8/15/2024
“I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” John 6:51 Have you ever had a bad communion experience? That may sound strange, but I often hear stories about how someone was…
FIRST WORD – 8.9.24 “Commands”
8/9/2024
My sons and daughters, do not forget my teaching but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity. Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a…
FIRST WORD – 7.26.24 “Drawn to the Word”
7/26/2024
When I wrote to you two weeks ago, I shared how I was traveling to Minnesota for a week of camp with a guest artist and Bible teacher, Paul Oman. We had a wonderful time reconnecting with familiar faces and digging into God’s Word. Pastor Oman did not disappoint! His teaching times were exciting and…
FIRST WORD – 8.1.24 “Bread of Life”
8/2/2024
“I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” John 6:35 Jesus has two major metaphors for himself – Bread and Water: "Bread of Life" and "Living Water." Stop and think about what makes them living, alive for us? What makes…
FIRST WORD – 7.12.24 “Mount Carmel”
7/12/2024
I’m traveling this week to attend a week of Bible camp in Alexandria, Minnesota where I served as the Executive Director from 2012-2019. They invited me and my family back to enjoy to being campers! You can check it out for yourself at https://www.mountcarmelministries.com. This week the Bible teacher is Rev. Paul Oman, a pastor…
FIRST WORD 7.5.24 “Faith and Freedom”
7/5/2024
Did you celebrate the 4th of July? Our nation commemorates this day when we declared ourselves to be an independent nation, no longer a colony of England. The founders signed the Declaration of Independence, but that freedom did not come easily; only after several years of war would it be won. Our forefathers were determined to…
FIRST WORD 6.27.24 “Healing Power”
6/27/2024
“Then one of the synagogue leaders, named Jairus, came, and when he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet. He pleaded earnestly with him, “My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.” Mark 5:22-23In the New Testament we find similar healing stories over…
FIRST WORD 6.21.24 “Wind and Waves”
6/21/2024
“They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” Mark 4:41 I loved to take my grandfather fishing when I was in college. He’d had a stroke and walked with a cane, but we’d find a way to get him into a boat and go fishing…
FIRST WORD 5.16.24 “Holy Spirit Coming”
5/16/2024
Jesus said: “You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name.” John 15:16 I remember a family in a previous parish that had adopted three little boys. The…
FIRST WORD 6.14.24 “Fathers Day”
6/14/2024
“As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him.” Psalm 103:13 It's Father’s Day this Sunday, a day to honor the fathers among us. My dad’s name was Chuck, he was a husband, a father of four kids, custom cabinet maker and farmer. He passed away back…
FIRST WORD 5.31.24 “I Am Yours”
5/31/2024
“I am yours; save me, for I have sought your precepts.” Psalm 119:94 (NRSV) Early on, Martin Luther was tormented by his inability to feel that he was accepted by God. His closest friend, Staupitz taught him to rely on Christ, quoting Psalm 119:94, “I am yours; save me.” In times of darkness, when life…
