Category: Uncategorized
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I wept today…
I wept today. A lot. If you don’t know me well, that might surprise you. But, if you’ve known me long enough, that probably does NOT come as a big surprise. I’m a sensitive guy, and I’ve been known to cry easily, publicly. But, honestly, I haven’t cried for a…
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“Restored Hearts” (Sermon preached on Sunday, March 12, 2017, at First Church Coral Springs, as the second sermon in a series called “Restoration”)
In the NIV Bible, the word “heart” appears over 700 times. In the old King James version, “heart” appears over 800 times. And, according the Bible “hearts” perform an amazing array of functions, including… · Hearts love, of course. · Hearts also lust, change, turn away, and falter. · …
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There is a Balm in Gilead…
This is what the Lord says… Since my people are crushed, I am crushed; I mourn, and horror grips me. Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then is there no healing for the wound of my people? (Jeremiah 8:4, 21-22) In Biblical times, Gilead was known for…
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Poco a Poco…
I was reminded, today, of this quote by John Wesley, “Every one, though born of God in an instant, yea and sanctified in an instant, yet undoubtedly grows by slow degrees…” John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement, believed that the “born again” experience, though incredibly important, was only…
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Fencing the Darkness
I read something profound this morning. It was one of those “Things that make you go ‘hmmmmm…..’” moments. I love those! I’ve just started reading Lisa Sharon Harper’s book, The Very Good Gospel. I’m only 25 pages in, and I am hooked! The opening chapter, called “A Glimpse of Shalom,” begins with…
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Preaching to Myself…
I start with an outline. Then, I write a full sermon manuscript of what I plan to say. Then, I condense the manuscript to notes that I will actually preach from. On Sunday mornings, I get up and 5:00 am, and read my manuscript twice – sometimes out loud. At…
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Earth Has No Sorrow That Heaven Cannot Heal
I referenced an old hymn by Sir Thomas Moore in my sermon today. The text of the hymn is… Come, ye disconsolate, where’er ye languish, Come to the mercy seat, fervently kneel. Here bring your wounded hearts, here tell your anguish; Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal. Joy…
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Temptations are EVERYWHERE!
Two of the things I gave up for Lent were watching television and eating desserts. Today is the third day of Lent – just the third day. Yesterday, I ate lunch at my new favorite Indian restaurant. I had forgotten that the lunch special comes with dessert, and didn’t think…
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Chains
Last night, at the Ash Wednesday service, we sang the old hymn, Amazing Grace. Amazing Grace was written by the Anglican Clergyman, John Newton, in 1779. Since that time, it has become one of the best known and most beloved hymns of all time. A less known fact is that…
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