In Paul’s letter to the Romans he asked the church “Why do you pass judgment on one another?” (v.10) If one person thinks that they should worship on one day of the week rather than another, or thinks that they should not eat meat because it may have been offered to an idol and therefore eats only vegetables, what difference is it to you?
Bible Passage: Matthew 18:21-35
Bible Passage: Romans 14:1-12
A few weeks ago one of our college students asked me if I would be willing to read C. S. Lewis’s The Screwtape Letters with him. Well, that was music to my ears because I love The Screwtape Letters! I’ve led multiple adult studies on the book, including a couple here at First Federated Church. I love Lewis’s wit and insight into the nature of sin and how we can easily think that we are being all pious and religious and be neither!
Bible Passage: Matthew 18:15-20
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Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost August 27th, 2017
The book of Exodus is a special book to me because I so easily see myself, the best and worst of who Iam, in the people of the book. My story of faith is much like theirs, filled with temptation, fear, grace, deliverance and salvation.
Bible Passage: Exodus 18:2-10
Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost August 20th, 2017
For the last few weeks you have studied the book of Genesis. You have gone through different chapters and today we get to the big reveal—we get to the moment that everything has been leading too.
The term “half measure” is defined by Webster’s dictionary as “a partial, half hearted, or weak line of action.” Another way to understand the term is to view it as less than our best effort. It is an attempt but not a full commitment. With that in mind I think it is fair to say that in this world half measures abound. It doesn’t take long to think of a law or resolution that is a weak line of action against significant issues.
Bible Passage: Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28
Ninth Sunday after Pentecost – Sunday, August 6th
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Eighth Sunday after Pentecost 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time July 30th, 2017
How do you not become jaded and walk away from that which you love? The answer was maddeningly simple. You learn to become wiser and move on.
Bible Passage: Genesis 29:15-28
Seventh Sunday after Pentecost 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time July 23rd, 2017
No matter where your unexpected place is you can be sure that God will show up. In all places God promises to always be with you, to always keep you, and to always bring you back into his presence.
Bible Passage: Genesis 28:10-19a
God isn’t like Louie who grew tired of Lily’s questions. God loves hearing from you, for you are God’s child, precious in his sight. So be bold and ask God all the “why” questions you have. God wants to hear them. The Bible tells us “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask God anything, God hears us” (1 John 5:14). God does not grow tired of listening to you. God doesn’t grow tire of the “why” questions. God is always listening to you.
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Bible Passage: Genesis 24:19-34
