Sanctification, The Outcome of Our Faith
Good morning holy, healthy, and happy people of God! If you are visiting today, I welcome you and apologize at the same time. Please do not judge McKendree by today’s sermon. I am but the humble seminary student here. Pastor Stephen will be back preaching as normal next week and I strongly encourage you to come back then. Today marks the third time I’ve preached from this pulpit. People told me this would get easier over time, and I must say the writing part does get easier with each attempt. Read more...
Oster Predigt, 2014
Wir glauben an die Gemeinschaft der Heiligen und heute Morgen muss ich Dank geben zu einer die mit den Heiligen jetzt ist. Frau Phillips war meine Deutsch Lehrerin. Von ihr hab ich meine Liebe für die deutsche Sprache gelernt. Meine Familie ist nicht Deutsch aber wegen Frau Phillips fühle ich mich immer zuhause mit Deutsch. Ich hab vor fünfzehn Jahren mein erstes deutsches Wort gelernt. Ich kann nicht glauben dass ich jetzt hier stehe. Read more...
Resting & Holy Sabbath
The last few weeks we’ve been lead by Pastor Stephen down a path of reflection on the concept of a holy sabbath. Together we were challenged to make places for holy rest and refreshment in our lives. We marveled at how God graciously provides us extra in our lives that we might take the time for prayer and worship. And, we learned of the freedom that comes through our times of rest with the Lord. Read more...
Watch Night, 2013
Revelation 21:1-6a Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. Read more...
Understanding McKendree United Methodist Church
Introduction McKendree United Methodist Church[1] has an imposing edifice that hides her true character. From the street she looks like the typical old-fashioned downtown church with an aging congregation. From the outside, no life or living ministry is expected to be found inside. However, if one takes a moment to step inside the 100 year old sanctuary one will find a missional congregation that reflects both the history of the 226 years and the ecology of a diverse, vibrant, and growing downtown community. Read more...
One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church
Introduction The church universal and especially the unique, individual congregations of the church have had many meanings in the history of humankind and the history of the church. Many have seen the church as an arm of oppressive government; baptizing war, causing destruction, and stifling academic and scientific progress. For others, the church in its global and local form is a tool for political and social agendas; an agent of governmental and societal “progress”. Read more...
Exegetical Analysis Of Isaiah 45:20-25
Introduction The cliché is well known in contemporary American literature and film; in a moment of intense drama, the judge’s stern and ordered demeanor fades and his or her true character breaks through. The raw human emotion surrounding the question and parties involved erupts from the seat of judgment and the entire situation comes to be seen in a new light. After days of evidence, twists, turns, uncertainties, and questions, the situation as it really stands is laid bare and the final judgment required to bring justice becomes clear to all. Read more...
Boston Bombing & Road to Tyrany
Nearly a decade after one of the most defining moments of my life, once again I read the news and mourn for the American people. I have the sense, just as I did on that day, that everything has changed and that the America of my youth is forever dead. I of all people know that America was a myth, but – though it may be the rose tint so often applied to the past – I do remember that much of that myth was lived in to. Read more...
The Christology and Ecclesiological Vision of Paul in Philippians and Colossians with a Practical Application for the Modern Church
Introduction Both the epistles to the Philippians and Colossians pivot on hymns seeped in Paul’s Christology. The hymn in Phil 2:6-11 focuses on the unexpected nature of the Messiah who fulfills the prophesies of the prophets while the hymn in Col 1:15-23 focuses on the divinity of Christ and his preeminent status before all things in heaven and earth. Surrounding the two hymns, Paul’s exhortations for new patterns of life and he and his fellow servants’ Christ-template narratives call the “faithful brothers and sisters in Christ”1 in both Philippi and Colossae to a new way life. Read more...
Lenten Social Media Fast
At rather the last minute -- Tuesday evening before Ash Wednesday -- I decided that I was going to abstain from social media for Lent. This decision was prompted by others on Facebook giving up the same and, since I hadn't figured out what I was giving up -- or taking on -- yet, I decided I would give up social media to start with and then add on something "real" once I figured out what that was. Read more...
The Unexpected God
If I were to ask someone on the street to describe what a god was like what answers do you think I would get? Powerful, Can do whatever he or she wants, All seeing, Mighty, All knowing, King, Sovereign, Clothed in glory, Surrounded by angels, Supreme, etc. I think the term god makes people think back to the Greek gods of Mt. Olympus or the Norse gods of Valhalla. Read more...
Collect for Coffee
Almighty God, who in your mercy provides all things for our goodwill and maintenance, pour out your blessings upon the farmers, harvesters, distributors, roasters, and all others who participate in the manifold tasks required to provide your people with that most useful beverage, coffee, that we, your church, might continue to reap the benefits of this beverage for the glory of your kingdom and the sake of your only son, our savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Read more...
Melanie Davis Funeral Address
This afternoon I have the great honor of speaking on behalf of the Metro Nashville German Meetup Group. Melanie founded our group in January of 2010 and was our faithful leader until her other life responsibilities required that she turn the reigns over to me in 2011. I remember the first time I met Melanie. It was back in February 2010 at a little Mexican restaurant here in Hendersonville. From the first moment she was welcoming and wearing her always-infectious smile. Read more...
Let Your Servant Depart in Peace
Luke 2:29-32 (KJV); Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word; For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. Isaiah 57:1-2 (ESV); The righteous man perishes, and no one lays it to heart; devout men are taken away, while no one understands. For the righteous man is taken away from calamity; he enters into peace; they rest in their bed who walk in their uprightness. Read more...
Guns-in-Trunks Legistlation
Jerry Askew, SVP Governmental Relations, Tennova Healthcare "Given the increasing violence against health care workers that we see across the nation, particularly in emergency rooms, I don't think we have any choice but to maintain our position against the introduction of more weapons at our hospitals." Bill Ozier, Chairman, Tennessee Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Referencing recent shootings in Colorado, etc.) "I'm not sure having more people armed is the answer to all of that. Read more...
