[one_half] Getting Back on Track Hebrews 4:14-5:10 The Book of Hebrews provides a beautiful picture that describes the nature and activity of Jesus in the world. The centerpiece of the book is contained in the theme that reveals the identity of Christ as the Great High Priest. From that posture, Jesus ascends to heaven, connects with our struggles, and walks with us…
[one_half] Welcome to Monday! Psalm 32 Welcome to Monday! Our Scripture reading for today will take us to the 32nd Psalm. There we will find a beautiful sequence that describes the loving activity of God in our lives. The entire Psalm is a wonderful message of hope, forgiveness, protection, and direction from the heart of God. I want to invite you to…
Matthew 4:1-11 Be sure to join your sisters and brothers in worship as we launch our exploration into the nature of Christian obedience. Read the temptation of Jesus from Matthew 4 and consider how the obedience of Jesus set the stage for our conversations today. Regular worship times at Parker United Methodist Church include 8:00, 9:30, and 11:00. If you can’t be…
Romans 1:8-17 This is one of my favorite passages of Scripture. I especially love Romans 1:11 where we hear that there is a longing to pass along a spiritual gift to make us stronger. Obviously that was written for another time and another place. But isn’t that the beauty of God’s Word, it spoke clearly to the original readers and it provides…
Psalm 51 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you alone, have I sinned, and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are justified in your sentence and blameless when…
[one_half] Graceful Foundations of Humility Ash Wednesday, 2014 Ash Wednesday marks the first day of our Lenten Season and our journey of faithfulness. For the next forty days (not counting Sundays) we will be invited to follow God closely, explore the Bible intentionally, and prepare our lives for the celebration of Easter on April 20th. From a personal point of view, I…
There are a lot of wonderful things happening around here at Parker United Methodist Church, and it is exciting! We are just coming off a huge year in children’s Sunday School where we saw an increase in children from the previous years. We are coming off our largest Sunday ever for children’s Sunday School. Vacation Bible School is going to add another…
Last Sunday morning, I was blessed to have some time to go sit in the Senior High youth group and listen to the discussion they were having. That morning, Bob Pfeiffer had the youth go around the circle describing the different activities that they have found to which they have committed themselves. I heard about all kinds of sports, some upcoming drama…
You know the folk idiom that the month of March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb! I actually hope that comes true this year. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to get a head start on spring! For now I will just thumb through a seed catalog and dream of warm days, green grass, and a bunch of potatoes…
Psalm 23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou…
Recently, I was able to “go home” and preach in Lyons, the very town that I grew up in and graduated high school from. It was wonderful to see what the Lyons Community Church is doing. They are a small congregation, but their outreach to their neighbors is huge! They handed out 200 donated Thanksgiving baskets to those in need in their…
We offer greetings in the name of Jesus as we step into a new year! 2013 was wonderful but 2014 holds the promise of the future. It is unknown but ready to be revealed! I want to take a moment to review (and update) some of the things God has been doing among us in the past year. I shared many of…
Wednesday December 25, 2013 Colossians 4:18 It is Christmas Day. Merry Christmas to you and yours. On behalf of the entire congregation we pray that your Christmas holiday will continue to bless you. May the Lord be with you wherever you go! Just one verse for our reading and reflection today. It is the last verse of the Book of Colossians. Verse…
Tuesday December 24, 2013 Colossians 4:7-17 Did you send some Christmas cards this year? Maybe you wrote a Christmas letter to bring everyone up to date on the events of your family. Or perhaps you sent an email with photos of the kids. It might be a Facebook post, a Tweet, or a hand written message of love. Whatever your style of…
Monday December 23, 2013 Colossians 4:2-6 Do you have some Christian mentors in your life? Can you remember the people who were instrumental in the establishment of your faith or in the growth of your Christian discipleship? Take a few minutes to consider the unique characteristics that they brought into your life. Now, please read Colossians 4:2-6 one more time. Can you…