Thursday night was one of the best Christmas worship experiences I’ve ever had. I’ve attended better concerts and shows, but never a better time of worship to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior. Travis Cottrell and his team, along with our worship choir and orchestra, led us praising Jesus. The evening alternated between… Read More »
Monieca’s Flowers
I began last Sunday’s sermon talking about some flowers I had given to Monieca. It wasn’t a special occasion, I just wanted to say “I love you” and “I’m thinking about you.” So while buying groceries at BiLo I picked up some flowers. The point I was making in the sermon was that during the… Read More »
A Different Kind of Christmas
Snow and family, Santa and gifts, kids and toys, Jesus and Christmas carols, love and generosity – these are the things we traditionally associate with Christmas. Watch any Christmas movie and any number of these themes will be prominently featured. Yet here we are in 2015 and the temperature in Rock Hill, SC is expected… Read More »
Chapter Eight
A book could be written about this chapter of John’s gospel, but I’m going to focus my comments on four things. One, the story of the woman caught in adultery. After her accusers have left, Jesus says to her in verse 11: “I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more.”… Read More »
Chapter Seven
I can’t help but think about modern Americans when I read chapter seven in John’s gospel. It seems that the common people were becoming divided in their opinion of Jesus. Some believed He was the Christ (promised Messiah) or at least a great prophet, while others thought he was crazy. This division is clearly seen… Read More »
Chapter Six
There is so much I could write about in this chapter, but I’m going to focus on the way some people who are interested in following Jesus struggle with some of what He says and ultimately turn away. The chapter begins with a large crowd following Jesus (verse 2). They experience the miracle of Jesus… Read More »
Chapter Five
In chapter five of John’s gospel, the animosity toward Jesus on the part of the established religious leaders within Judaism comes into focus. Two key issues are highlighted here. First, they are upset with Jesus because He did not follow all their religious rules regarding the Sabbath. They had taken God’s commandment to honor the… Read More »
Summer of Sharing 2015: Zambia – This Weekend in Egichikeni
It has been an eventful weekend at Egichikeni. Friday we presented the story of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection with the plan being that Saturday when we returned to each of the villages / homes we’ve been visiting all week we would tell another Bible story and extend an invitation for people to become followers of… Read More »
A Smile and A Conversation
Megan has a big smile. She’s young, outgoing and likes people. I noticed her while eating lunch today at a local restaurant where she works. She was a natural at checking on customers, easily talking to them but not in a way that seemed overbearing or intrusive. Since I’m also a talker, when she arrived… Read More »
Easter Sunday Highlights 4.20.2014
Easter is always a glorious day for followers of Jesus Christ and today at FBC was incredible. The Lord moved among us and we had two young people make public professions of faith. The two services were well attended and the transition between services went smoothly. The music was top notch. Matt Newton, the choir… Read More »