Category: Preacher

Wisdom comes with maturity! My father seemed so dumb when I was young then as I grew older he seemed so much wiser. Why is that? Perhaps it was I! You think! I love it when I come across a young person that thinks he or she know
everything. One thing is for sure, it seems the older I get the wiser I become. I do not and cannot solve all of my problems by myself and as far as that goes know one can. But I do know that we all have a source of tremendous wisdom that helps us choose the right course or should I say the right force. Star
Wars is back and I see it as a classic good versus evil theme. As we dive into a new year. May the light force be with you all. If you dare to go into more details, read Colossians 3:12-17 and Luke 2:41-52 then listen to my brief excerpt of my message recorded on December 27th, 2015.

Miracle of faith. I think my favorite passage I fall back on each year as we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ is Luke 1:39-45 where Elizabeth’s baby leaps for joy in the presence of Mary’s baby. Last week I broke up my message into two. One was about understanding the sacrifices of the Prince of Peace. I labeled that message “I get it!” or “Ok, what do you want from me?” The second message is all about the miracle of how one baby still in his mom’s womb can be so excited that he leaped for joy in the presence of another baby just arriving in his mom’s womb. Read above and listen to my brief message.

Merry Christmas,

T

Okay, I get it. Have you ever considered the sacrifices made by others? I am guilty of being selfish and wake up finally to the reality and say “I get it”. This past couple of weeks I have posted several messages similar so since it is now Christmas eve why not stay on track? I believe we get so focused on ourselves that we totally overlook others. Before the Prince of Peace, we would sacrifice poor creatures to restore us to good favor but that was all temporary. It took His ultimate sacrifice to make it permanent. I think when we sacrifice just a little of ourselves not only does it feel good but does wonders for our souls. The other day several of us from church got together with a few more fellow servers to make and serve 152 dinners to three groups of seniors. It felt good! If we take our eyes off ourselves and give to others, we have instant clarity of purpose. In Hebrews 10:5-10, sacrifices of old involved total commitment of poor defenseless creatures for our sins. Not much sacrifice if you ask me! Then the Prince of Peace came along to offer himself as a permanent sacrifice. He was totally committed so why can’t we be more committed in service to him? It is easy and we start by looking to others. Listen to my previous audio messages on “How Do We” and “Same O, Same O”then continue below.  T

How do we convert sadness to gladness? How do we avoid being so anxious that we make ourselves sick with worry? Perhaps the answer is all in the attitude towards others. In Philippians 4 starting at verse 4, paraphrased here be glad, be gentile, don’t be anxious and pray for peace. That last one is the key to the answer. Pray for peace. Not necessarily the peace that the world may define but defined in heavenly terms. As you read this, I hope and pray that you look further into this message on your own and listen to your heart. (Note: Audio added below.)

T

Same O, Same O, yes somethings are good to start and continue each year like remembering the reason for the season. It is a great tradition long held to be filled with a spirit of giving and hope. Let’s continue that tradition and be “spiritualized” this season in lieu of being commercialized.

Sometimes, same O, same O, is not a good thing if we break promises made to ourselves or others. We start something and do not finish it. Here is a new twist. How about finishing some of those promises we make. Philippians 1:6 (according to T’s version) says we should start a good thing and stay strong to finish the task. Read for yourself in what version you feel most comfortable then listen to my brief message.(Note: Added audio below.)

T