Tag Archives: Faith
Refuse to Die to the Status Quo
Do you remember going to Blockbuster Video (or whatever video store was in your community) on Friday Nights? Even my small community of Sheakleyville, PA, had a video rental store (which is saying something.) Friday nights were full of possibilities … Continue reading
Live As Those Prepared to Die
I was up at 5:00 a.m. this past Saturday to prepare for the day, including Abbie’s graduation, a softball tournament, and a soccer match. What really woke me up was a message from a congregant alerting me to the tragic … Continue reading
The Integrity of Our Witness
In my message at Avenue last week, I said that apprentices (followers/disciples) of Jesus Christ will do what Jesus did. Even a cursory reading of the Gospels will give us clues about what Jesus did during his lifetime: proclaim the … Continue reading
Formed By Love
“Love is the acid test of spiritual formation.”-John Mark Comer Spiritual formation is the act of allowing God to shape us so that our lives look like the life of Jesus. Spiritual formation does not miraculously happen. It takes place … Continue reading
God Remembers
The other day I read the story of Hannah in the Bible. It’s found in 1 Samuel, chapter one. Hannah loved God but was childless. We’ve discussed this before, but being childless in ancient culture was seen as a curse. … Continue reading
Celebrating Those Who Pass Along the Faith
Sunday is Mother’s Day, and the Bible is filled with stories of women essential to the Gospel. Jesus’ genealogy contains the names of five women central to his story and mission: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary. Mary Magdalene was … Continue reading
Sermon | GOD IS WITH US IN OUR DOUBTS
[This is the sermon manuscript from the 12/3/2023 worship service at Avenue Church. You can watch the sermon here.] Sermon Text: Luke 1:5-25 In The Polar Express, a doubting boy boards a magical train on Christmas Eve, and is headed for … Continue reading
Advent Devotions (Day 5) | The Thin Line
“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.”Luke 1:38 Read Luke 1:8-38 I grew up near Pittsburgh and always heard about “the confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers” to form the Ohio River. … Continue reading
Thinking to be Alive
Chloe and I spend a lot of time in the car going to and from practice and tournaments. She uses the time to commandeer my Spotify account and play DJ while we drive. At this point in 2022, I know … Continue reading
10 Albums/10 Days | Shawl and Mercury | The Prayer Chain
The “post 10 albums in 10 days with no commentary” thing has been going around Facebook again. I was thinking about posting mine, but then, Dylan Lloyd went ahead and nominated me to do it. I am not going to … Continue reading
Exiled Community 