Work continued in ernest today, I never saw one of our 76 children or adults slacking…they were all working hard for Jesus. The wood hauling crew on which most of the Merkel folks were working cleared branches and loaded wood so fast the Forest service crew working ahead of them had to work overtime to catch up. Texans can certainly work. The wood they collect will be distributed to the...
So this mission trip is really church camp on steroids…replace craft time, nap time, and activity time with hard core work for others and you have this mission trip. The normal Bible study and devotional time is still included for growth but the real lessons are the life lesson of service. After a slow start this morning the seventy souls on this mission where divided into work projects...
I can’t decide how to start this series. Possibly with a mention of a cliche’ I observed when an American Indian crossed the road in the middle of the desert holding a half empty quart and another full; or maybe I should start with a discourse on the perils of long distance travel in a small van with church youth. I really want to write about the mountain top worship the Merkel folks...
Bible class audio for June 20, 2010: [audio:] Bible class audio for June 13, 2010: [audio:] We interpret the blessings of Matthew 5 through the eyes of materialistic and superficial Americans. In our modern world happy has come to mean a conscience state of a feeling well or ecstatic. If WE are happy WE feel good. I’m not doubting that if we love God and obey his command we will be...
[audio:] Nicodemus When: Sometime after he cleared the temple Who: Ruler on the Jewish ruling council (71 members tasked the elite) V1 “As under the Greek rulers the Jews were allowed a large measure of self-government, many points of civil and religious administration fell to the lot of the high priests and the gerousía to settle. “ “Teacher of Israel” v10 Only the...
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Sermon Audio “The Journey” When the Israelites stood at the far side of the Red Sea they had escaped certain death and were delivered to life by the hand of God, but their journey wasn’t over. The Israelites wandered through the wilderness before reaching their promise, and it wasn’t always pretty. At times God’s anger burned toward them but in the end both He and...
Bible Class Audio May 23, 2010 “Kingdom of God (Part 2) Bible Class Audio May 16, 2010 “Kingdom of God (Part 1) “From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” Matthew 4:17 (TNIV) 1. A Central Theme of Jesus Teachings The Kingdom of heaven is a central theme in the teachings of Jesus throughout his ministry. It’s difficult to gain the...
Bible Class Audio May 9, 2010 “Jesus and the Talmidin” “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 1. Galilee – The most religious Jews in the world, a place...
I grew up in a time when church frequently included special gospel meetings that featured a guest preacher imploring nightly over the course of a week to get right and reap the rewards of heaven or certainly go to hell. We were encouraged to invite our friends and neighbors where every night the message and volume would escalate until a satisfactory number had responded to avoid the punishment of...