Did you know that sheep are not very intelligent? Yet, they have an uncanny ability to identify the voice of their shepherd, and then they follow that voice! This Sunday, we recall the words of Jesus: HE is our shepherd, and we are the sheep of his pasture. Let’s all learn …
When was the last time you got into the water and started splashing around…with sheer joy? It is invigorating! In our assigned Scripture reading this Sunday, we read a narrative about 3,000 people all splashing for joy one day…they had just been baptized in the liberating waters of new life…and they …
Once in a while we learn about someone who has received a large inheritance: Consider actress Julia Louis- Dreyfus, who inherited a mere four billion dollars when a family member passed away…or Actor Edward Norton, who received 7.2 billion dollars when his loved one died. Well, according to the Bible, you …
Have you ever walked through a cemetery after dark? It can get kind of creepy and scary. Well, almost 2,000 years ago a few women were walking through a cemetery in the pre-dawn hours…to be shocked by an earthquake, an angel, and other startling occurrences! The Gospel writer Matthew claimed these women were …
Have you ever witnessed a victory parade? How about a ticker tape parade in NYC? Well, what would you think if they had a victory parade BEFORE the victory? Unusual, right? Join Pastor Jack as he reflects on that first Palm Sunday parade…in many ways, it was a Jesus’ victory lap PRIOR …
Just before Jesus performed his greatest miracle (raising Lazarus from the dead), he proclaimed himself as the “Resurrection and the Life.” Then he turned to Martha and asked, “Do you believe this?” Today, Jesus asks each individual the same question… which is very significant given the latest research indicating a growing segment of American adults …
Did you know it is possible to have perfect 20-20 vision yet not “see” certain things? In other words, there is a difference between “seeing” and “perceiving”. This Sunday, our Gospel reading will involve a man born blind…yet, through the touch of Jesus, he sees and perceives Jesus as the Lord of …
What do the following people have in common… Kelly Clarkson, 19th century German philosopher Friedrick Nietzsche, and St. Paul? Hint: It has something to do with suffering. Join Pastor Jack this Sunday as he offers his sermon, “What Doesn’t Kill You…”. This sermon will be especially meaningful in times of hardship …
Can You Be More Specific? When you are in your Prayer Chair asking for divine guidance, wouldn’t it be great if God provided a laundry list of specific things you should do? Strangely, God sometimes chooses to be mysterious…and even ambiguous…when we ask for guidance. The same happened to Abram in the Genesis …
We all know what it is like to be tempted…temptations are everywhere! And did you ever notice that temptations feel even stronger during weak and vulnerable times? In this Sunday’s Gospel lesson we learn that Jesus was tempted by the Devil when he was at his weakest moments of feeling hungry, …