It is common for me to come across a wonderful sermon illustration, but run out of time to use it. In talking about the genealogy of Jesus in the first chapter of Matthew’s gospel I would have loved to work the following in. Unfortunately, I’d already said enough and I wasn’t quite sure where and how to work it in. Nevertheless, it’s worth taking a look at and reflecting on.

There are many wonderful creeds that have guided God’s people over the centuries, but I like this one which was written relatively recently as a summary of our beliefs. It was put together by Pastor and author Brian McLaren and is included in his book (which I recommend) entitled, The Story We Find Ourselves In.

Starting this Sunday, I’m going to add a blog to our church web page each week. Though it’s not a novel idea, it is something that’s been tickling my brain for some time now. 

In our final sermon on Guardrails I drilled down into how to put into place guardrails against Greed.  Christians have been fighting this battle for centuries.  In fact, Greed is one of the Seven Deadly Sins (They use a more antiquated term, Avarice.)  It can rob us of gratitude and hence joy, but greed can also undermine the kind of generosity of spirit that is so important to God.