07/17/2019
It was a busy weekend for summer sports fans.
If you followed the Scottish open, you witnessed the commitment and determination it takes to win. Wiesberger did finally gain the title against Hebert after a third sudden death play at the 18th hole. You could just feel the tension and desire as each would hit the drive and finish out a putt.
If you followed the mens’ Wimbledon match, again you witnessed a match of endurance, determination and commitment as Djokovic defeated Federer. There certainly was a moment in the match when it did not appear that would be the result. Djokovic came close to losing as he sat two match points down. The entire match was a show of endurance, determination and commitment as the match made history for its length of play.
I think that both of these events and their players have good lessons for practicing Christian faith…
1. Great commitment to practice produces endurance
2. When the opponent may seem to be a distraction and competitive, don’t give into distractions... simply focus harder.
3. If we want to be strong and competitive, the commitment needs to be year round and consistent. Part time, casual play leaves us less than we could be.
So mid summer let’s ask ourselves, are we serving as strongly, practicing as diligently, and committed enough to have the faith that God would desire for us?
Living for Jesus, Pastor Patti
Archived Posts
Matthew 24: One More Thing...
I sometimes stumble on old documents I’ve created but have completely forgotten about. I cannot remember why I created them or what purpose they were originally supposed to serve....
Keeping the Church Doors Unencumbered
Sunday, we considered Jesus’ disruptive actions in the Temple in light of his frustration with keeping gentiles from worshipping in their designated courtyard. We then reflected on how we still tend to throw up roadblocks to those who don’t normally attend church. I found the following, but didn’t have space for it in the sermon. It’s provocative and worth chewing on for a while.
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I came across this list which feels a little like a "Greatest Hits of Jesus' Ministry". I share it with you today for your inspiration and edification. Enjoy!
The Best Kind of Trouble-maker
While working on this last week’s sermon I was looking through Phillip Yancey’s excellent book—The Jesus I Never Knew—when I came across a section that I found profound. It didn’t quite fit my sermon, but it caught my eye enough that I copied it down.
Practical Tips To Avoid Judging Others
When I research a sermon, such as Sunday’s message on judgmentalism, I always try to think through some practical steps or tips in how to implement God’s desire for our lives. I rustled together a herd of ideas this week and I offer them to you.
The Shepherd, the King, and the Rescuer
God has got a long list of names, but some of those names are better than others. There is a small child who thought God’s name was Harold since the Lord’s Prayer includes the phrase “Hallowed be thy name.” When you think of all the scriptures that are most likely to be memorized you would have to include Psalm 23, The Lord’s Prayer, and John 3:16. The danger for us is our tendency to focus on the wrong thing.
Old Jokes Are The Best Jokes
Sunday morning, we took a look at Jesus’ command to make our enemies into neighbors and loving our neighbors as ourselves. One of the obstacles to doing this is our growing sense of tribalism—whether it’s a political, socio-economic, or even theological tribe.