09/22/2025
Here are some quotes that
didn’t make it into Sunday’s sermon.
(But it doesn’t mean that they don’t offer real insight into the power of risk over the fear of failure. What is true for raising self-reliant and healthy children, just happens to be equally true for those of us who follow Jesus Christ.)
“Only those who risk going too far can possibly
find out how far one can go.”
— T. S. Eliot
“A ship is safe in harbor, but that’s not what ships are for.”
— John A. Shedd
“Do not be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.”
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
“Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see
the whole staircase, just take the first step.”
— Martin Luther King Jr.
“Security is mostly a superstition…
Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.”
— Helen Keller
Peter’s walk on water tells us that faith begins where our comfort zone ends.
- You might think of the boat as the promise of security.
- The wind and the waves represent risk and uncertainty.
- And Jesus’ outstretched hand reminds us that even when we falter, the power of God is stronger than the storm.
Archived Posts
The Lost Benediction
Depending on the length of the sermon, I try to add a little something extra in my benedictions. This week I wrote up a benediction but then realized we’d be singing and waving our umbrellas to some New Orleans jazz.
Change of Focus This Week
Instead of sharing with you about yesterday’s sermon I’d like to invite you to do some background reading for next Sunday’s “Only Murders in the Bible.” Seeing that it is All Saints Day this Sunday, we are going to look at the very first Christian martyr, Stephen.
You Might Be Thinking It’s All About You If…
In working on Sunday’s sermon I asked my computer’s AI if she/he could come up with a few suggestions in answer to the above: "You Might be thinking it’s all about you, if…."
Prayer Changes Things
Here is a transcript of the prayer I prayed at the end of yesterday’s sermon.
Optimism, Faith, and Hope:
Practical Steps For Increasing All Three
Here are some practical, spiritual, and relational ways to grow faith, hope and optimism:
Listening Heart
It’s kind of crazy when you think about it. Wisdom in the Bible is all about listening. Of course it makes sense that wisdom would start with listening to God, to God’s law and commandments, as well as the promptings and leadings of the Holy Spirit.
Here are some quotes that
didn’t make it into Sunday’s sermon.
(But it doesn’t mean that they don’t offer real insight into the power of risk over the fear of failure...)