Sermon podcast: The Waters That Save

Here is the podcast for my sermon from April 27, 2008, titled The Waters That Save. The text was 1 Peter 3:13-22, and I deal with the mysterious reference to Jesus preaching to the spirits in prison.  Plus, there’s a great story of Mickey Mantle’s conversion that you’ve never heard before.  Hope you find this [...]

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Praying for the sick

Our Wednesday night schedule is pretty typical for a Baptist church.  About 25-30 of us eat together at 5:45 PM, then prayer and Bible study takes place around the tables at 6:30 PM.  Choir follows prayer meeting, which is the schedule in about every Baptist church I can remember.  So, nothing unusual there. Four years [...]

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Soundcheck: Teen open mic night

Tonight was the last Soundcheck for this school year. Soundcheck is a teen open mic night sponsored by our church and other local groups. Kids run the show — from emceeing to performing to managing the flow of the evening teens are in charge. Of course, adult advisors are close by, but the kids handle [...]

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Aramaic is alive and (almost) well

The New York Times features the Syrian town of Malula where the language of Jesus, Aramaic, is still spoken.  The Times article also includes the history of Malula’s beginnings, which legend attributes to a young woman who was converted under Paul’s ministry, and then fled her family’s persecution.  The article is an interesting resource for [...]

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Sermon podcast: People With A Purpose

After a very hectic week last week, I am finally back around to tending the blog here. Here is the podcast of my sermon from last Sunday, April 20, 2008, titled “People With A Purpose.” The text is 1 Peter 2:2-10, and I talk about what it means to be a priest to others. I [...]

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Thank you for praying

After a whirlwind trip to Atlanta to check on my brother, I am very happy to report that he is conscious, off the ventilator, and improving.  We returned home to Virginia this afternoon and I called the hospital and talked to him after we got home.  So, thank you for your prayers and concern as [...]

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Prayer request

My father, who is 88, called me this afternoon.  He had just received a call from a hospital in Georgia where my brother had been admitted in critical condition.  We still do not know any details except that he was found in his car unconscious and brought by paramedics to the hospital.  He has not [...]

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Easter Outreach Idea Works…again!

Pastor John Carmichael at Evangel North Church tried the Easter Outreach Idea with great success this year. John left the following comment: We used this idea for Easter 2008. It doubled our church attendance for Easter. We average 105, on Easter we had more than 210. Largest crowd ever! The church is still buzzing about [...]

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Closed door, open window

I forgot exactly where I heard that saying — When God closes a door, He opens a window — but as corny as it sounds, it’s true.  Last year, I dropped out of the “Missional Leadership” Doctor of Ministry program track at Fuller.  The program is great, but the process we were to lead our [...]

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Sermon podcast: Living In Exile, April 6, 2008

Here’s the podcast of the sermon I preached last Sunday, the third Sunday of Easter, on April 6, 2008. The text is 1Peter 1:17-23, and the sermon is titled, Living In Exile. Hope you find it helpful.

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