In Luke 24:13-35, two disciples meet the resurrected Jesus on the road to Emmaus. The story and its structure point to one transformative truth: Jesus is alive! How can we share this living Jesus with others by wondering with them about their spiritual journeys? Listen to Pastor David’s sermon:
The six levels of the chiastic structure found in this Bible story:
“You know, it’s like I always said… the more things change, the more they stay the same.”
These were the final words spoken in my favorite television series of all time, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. After seven years of stories, conflicts, battles, and drama, the space station called “Deep Space Nine” comes to a place of peace and stability. The local bartender (a Ferengi named Quark) finds himself tending to his shop there once again as he had done for many years. And as the final episode draws to a close, Quark speaks the above words, which has become a favorite quote of mine over the years.
Life is full of transitions and adjustments. We leave one place or situation in life, and we move on to other challenges. One relationship ends, and another begins. Sometimes, when we’re experiencing many changes, we can feel a little out of sorts – as if the world is somehow unstable or unpredictable. For some people, this kind of unpredictability can be invigorating and exciting. For others (like me), big changes are a bit stressful. Continue reading
Our conversations – and prayers – are usually filled with our own talking. What if our relationships with God and others were marked by listening, instead? Check out Pastor David’s sermon on Acts 16:9-15.
Another strange encounter, this time between Saul and Ananias, points us toward the importance of noticing where God is at work in our lives. Where is the God Space in your life? Listen to Pastor David’s sermon on Acts 9:1-22.
By the way, the video which Pastor David wanted to show at the end of this sermon can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ahg6qcgoay4
Evangelism through relationships and conversations, all within “God space.” Read Acts 8:24-40 and listen to this first sermon in Pastor David’s new series on sharing the love of Jesus with people in natural, everyday encounters.
You are the light of the world. But is the light of Christ shining fully into your life and your relationships? Make peace happen this Christmas. Listen to Pastor David’s sermon, from the last Sunday of Advent, on Matthew 5:14-16.
It’s the most important question in the history of the world. But it requires more than an answer… it requires a relationship. What’s the question? Listen to Pastor David’s sermon on Matthew 16:13-20.
A friend of mine, a music teacher in Indiana, is working on a master’s degree in his field. Recently, he talked with me about what he is reading and learning in his studies: specifically, the importance of posture.
For an orchestra conductor, posture is extremely important. Every arm movement, every change of stance, even the most minute of gestures can communicate messages instantaneously to the members of the orchestra. Bad posture leads to bad conducting, because the messages communicated by the conductor are confusing and inappropriate. Good posture requires the coordination of many muscle groups throughout the body, which in turn requires exercise and discipline. Conducting is no simple task, and conductors must learn how to pay attention to their posture at all times.
I am concerned that Christians have bad posture when it comes to the LGBT issues that we are facing these days. Continue reading
When you pray, how do you expect God to respond to your prayer?
Once upon a time, when the Israelites completed the temple in Jerusalem, King Solomon offered a prayer of dedication. This prayer is recorded in two different Old Testament books (1 Kings 8:22-53 and 2 Chronicles 6:12-42). Solomon’s prayer reflects his desire for God to keep the nation strong for many years to come. Yet it contains clues about how the ancient Israelites thought about prayer – clues which can influence how we pray today. Continue reading
Bobby and Jenny Mihsill are our Living Link missionaries to the Ivory Coast. How does 1 John 1:1–2:2 relate to them – and to us?