vancerains.com

  • Do this…

    Do this…

    Today is Maundy Thursday – the day we annually remember Jesus’ last meal with his disciples.  The word “maundy” simply means command.  We “do this in remembrance” of Jesus – sharing bread and juice/wine with each other, representing his body and blood – because he commanded us to. Today is…

  • I am Judas

    I am Judas

    I have to confess, I’ve always felt sorry for Judas. Early in my relationship with Jesus, I recall watching a movie depicting monologues of each of Jesus’ disciples, of what they were thinking and feeling the night of his arrest.  The monologues were fictional, of course, based on what the Disciples…

  • Pre-Easter Pondering

    Pre-Easter Pondering

    I know it’s not Easter yet.  Easter is still a few days away.  Before Easter, we still have Maundy Thursday and Good Friday and Holy Saturday.  We can’t just skip to Easter, bypassing all that led to Easter. But, Easter is on my mind – probably because it’s the biggest…

  • It’s All About Me, and All This is for Me… (a.k.a. a pastor feeling a little snarky on a Monday morning)

    It’s All About Me, and All This is for Me… (a.k.a. a pastor feeling a little snarky on a Monday morning)

    READER WARNING:  THIS IS GOING TO GET PRETTY SNARKY.  READER BEWARE! There’s an older worship song called, “Jesus, Lover of my Soul.”  The words of the verse are, It’s all about You, Jesus And all this is for You For Your glory and Your fame It’s not about me As…

  • The Road to Restoration: The 6th Sermon in a Series Called, “Restoration,” preached at First Church Coral Springs, on Palm Sunday, April 9, 2017

    The Road to Restoration: The 6th Sermon in a Series Called, “Restoration,” preached at First Church Coral Springs, on Palm Sunday, April 9, 2017

    In the year 1010 BC, King David and his army attacked and conquered Jerusalem, driving out the Jebusite inhabitants, taking Jerusalem as the capital of the Kingdom of Israel. In the year 925 BC, Jerusalem was temporarily captured and pillaged by the Egyptian armies, led by Pharaoh Sheshonk I. In the year 586 BC,…

  • Refreshing

    Refreshing

    I had the privilege of teaching my church’s confirmation class about the Sacraments this morning. When I teach about Baptism, which is one of our two Sacraments in the United Methodist Church, I often ask, “What is water used for?”  I’m looking for three answers, each that help us understand…

  • The Wheel of Time Turns…

    The Wheel of Time Turns…

    “The Wheel of Time turns, and Ages come and pass, leaving memories that become legend. Legend fades to myth, and even myth is long forgotten when the Age that gave it birth comes again.”  Robert Jordan Last September, I started reading a 15-novel fantasy/fiction series called The Wheel of Time, by…

  • The Sin of Being Passive

    The Sin of Being Passive

    I can easily be accused of being passive.  I don’t move quickly.  I take my time making decisions.  I tend to be quiet – taking in more than I express.  I don’t get very excited very often.  I prefer peace and calm.  I don’t show much variation of facial expression.  I…

  • Thin Places

    Thin Places

    As I was reading this morning, I came across this statement in James K. A. Smith’s, You Are What You Love… “We might say the sacramental power of Christian worship “enchants” our everyday lives, reminding us that the world we inhabit is not flattened “nature” but rather a creation charged with…

  • 30 years ago, tonight…

    30 years ago, tonight…

    At 9:00 pm, 30 years ago, tonight, we were lowering the gate to the entrance of Champs Sporting Goods, at the Fashion Square Mall, in Orlando, where I worked (primarily selling athletic shoes – selling shoes has always been my back-up profession, in case ministry doesn’t work out).  As I…