“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” I Peter 3:15 On Monday, I was in Shoppers Food Warehouse in Manassas. I don’t usually go to Shoppers, but I’ve found that they have beautiful cut flowers at a very reasonable price, so whenever I need a bouquet, I stop there. The…
“The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8 Dear Graduate, Wow, it seems like just yesterday when you were starting school. Do you remember? You were so nervous and yet excited; filled with enthusiasm, but also uncertainty. It all seemed so new and fresh – a grand adventure just waiting to unfold. We were so proud of you. In…
“Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed, receives the blessing of God.” Hebrews 6:7“ I should have brought a jacket” complained my son Justin, this week, as he stepped out of the car into the pouring rain to make a dash for Stonewall Jackson High School. Yep, that pair of shorts and a tee shirt looked pretty inadequate as he darted onto the sidewalk,…
Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 4:13-14 Last week, American high society was rocked by the death of fashion icon Kate Spade and celebrity chef, TV star and author Anthony Bourdain. I wasn’t familiar with Ms. Spade, but I love to watch reruns of…
“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. (Romans, 10:13 NIV)” “But how can people call for help if they don’t know who to trust? And how can they know who to trust if they haven’t heard of the One who can be trusted? And how can they hear if nobody tells them?” (Romans 10:14-17, The Message) We just passed the 43rd anniversary of my baptism. It was Sunday, April 18, 1976…you know, back when dinosaurs…
“…Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came towards Jesus.” Matthew 14:29 This past Sunday, we ended with the familiar praise song of “Oceans (Where My Feet May Fail)” by Hillsong UNITED. The chorus is in the form of a prayer… Spirit lead me where my trust is without bordersLet me walk upon the watersWherever You would call meTake me deeper than my feet could ever wanderAnd my faith will be made strongerIn the…
“God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding. He says to the snow,‘Fall on the earth,’ and to the rain shower, ‘Be a mighty downpour.’ So that everyone he has made may know his work, he stops all people from their labor.” Job 37:5-7 Manassas: 9:15 AM Here at the church, we follow Prince William County Government, so I was quite excited when I saw at www.pwcgov.org the glorious words… PWC Government Closed Wednesday 3/21WEDNESDAY,…
Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Matthew 4:4 We have all seen the pictures and it breaks our hearts…malnourished children, thin & listless with hungry eyes & reaching hands. Maybe they are from the Syrian war-zone or victims of famine in North Africa. I recently saw images of starving children in North Korea, ignored by an autocratic regime hell-bent on achieving nuclear capabilities….
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. Isaiah 43:19 Isaiah 43:19 is my favorite New Year’s verse. I think of it every year and ponder what it might mean for me in the new year. It was written to Israel during a particularly bleak time in the nation’s history. Because of their disobedience, the northern Kingdom had been…
Every Christmas, it seems I get at least one extraordinary, thoughtful, and completely unexpected gift that totally astounds me and even brings tears to my eyes. Usually it’s not the most expensive gift or even something that I’ve asked for or been wanting…but something small that takes me by surprise in all that it represents. A couple of years ago, I made a casual reference in a sermon to my affection for Reeses Pieces. Many months later at Christmas time,…