Blog entries

Get Rid Of It

Pastor Ed — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 14:26:34 +0100

Genesis 21 is the story of Isaac's miraculous birth and the sending away of Ishmael and his mom, Hagar. Casting them out might seem cold and harsh but it is absolutely crucial for us to do. Paul in Galatians 4 allegorizes this story. He says it stands for a spiritual reality going on inside us. Isaac and Ishmael are in us. They are fighting. You know what I mean. Just read Romans 7.

Before you're saved you were fairly content. You didn't think about your soul that much. After you're savRead More...

Repeat Offenders

Pastor Ed — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 16:30:16 +0100

When you read Gen. 20 you think, haven't I read this same story before? And the answer would be yes you have, Gen 12:10-20. It was Egypt that time, it's Gerar this time. Abraham tells Sarah to say that he's her brother and he'd say she's his sister. He did it to protect himself. Each time it put Sarah in danger and damaged his reputation. At Gerar, it caused women to become barren, almost cost the king his life and put into question who the father of soon to be born Isaac. This was a bad sin Read More...

Ending Up In Sodom

Pastor Ed — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 12:37:52 +0100

As fathers, in the attempt to give our families the" best" we sometimes make decisions that seriously damage them. This was Lot. We see a progression of error.

It starts with a look (Gen.13:10). He saw Sodom. It reminded him of Egypt where he got rich. Egypt stands for the world in Scripture. Then he chose for himself, verse 11, knowing the area was full of the worst kind of sinning, verses 12-13. At first he moves into the suburbs. By 14:12 he lives inside the city. In Read More...

The Burden Of Prayer

Pastor Ed — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 17:46:26 +0100

Genesis 18 is about a man who was a friend of God. Because God had a relationship with Abraham He wanted to let him in on what He was about to do, destroy Sodom and the cities of the plain. The text says that they walked and talked together and that God revealed His mind and heart to Abraham. Abraham was concerned about Sodom because his nephew Lot lived there. He began to engage God in what seems like bartering for souls. It really is intercession. God has a burden on His heart. He lays thatRead More...

Fresh Encounter With God

Pastor Ed — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 14:52:28 +0100

Thirteen years. That's a long time in any relationship, especially if it is silent. We have no record of contact between God and Abraham from when Ishmael was born and Gen. 17. Abraham is now 99. Perhaps he thinks the promise made to him will be fulfilled through Ishmael? God Almighty shows up and renews the covenant promise and gives Abraham new hope.

We have times like that in our lives. Silence between us and God. Usually it's on our end. We get ahead of God or lag behind. We doRead More...

Getting Ahead Of God

Pastor Ed — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 12:28:37 +0100

Genesis 16 is about a couple, Abraham and Sarah who get ahead of God. God told Abraham in Gen. 15:4 that his servant wouldn't be his heir but a son from his body. He was excited. At 85 he would soon be having a son. But with 75 year old Sarah? Impossible. Plus he had waited ten years and no kids. So the two of them take matters into their own hands. Sarah suggests that Abraham have a baby with her maidservant Hagar. If your spouse gives you permission to sin does that make it alright? Hagar gRead More...

Getting In The Wheelbarrow

Pastor Ed — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 15:31:59 +0100

God is speaking to me personally through my study on the life of Abraham in Genesis 12-25. This past Sunday we looked at chapter 15. It is a fascinating text as it describes God cutting a covenant with Abraham. We looked at ten steps to covenant making in that culture and time. God used something within Abraham's culture to teach him and us profound truths about his relationship with man.

Step five was the walk of death. This was particularly intriguing. Abraham was Read More...

Family first?

Pastor Ed — Mon, 10 May 2010 17:21:56 +0100

I read an interesting article from Voice of the Marytrs challenging always putting ours kids first above everything else. That is our mindset in America. Parents are a virtual taxi service for children as they hurriedly wisk them from one practice to the next recital. What about God in the child's life? Church? Sunday School? Youth Group? There is a name for this kind of parent, Helicopter parents. They hover. Some even call or drive to their student's college campues to argue with profRead More...

Foundations

Pastor Ed — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 15:39:59 +0100

Matthew 7:24-27 compares and contrasts 2 builders. One builds on the rock, that is he puts Jesus' words into practice. He obeys. The other builder builds on sand. That is, he doesn't obey. When the storm struck his house fell. Here is the interesting thing. It didn't fall before the storm. It looked fine. His house stood during good weather. That can be like us. We seem do be doing fine, then a storm hits and our true condition is revealed.

Surprises On Judgment Day

Pastor Ed — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 13:13:23 +0100

In reading Matthew 7:21-23, it seems that the person is surprised that they won't be staying in heaven. They list all their great works for God. Jesus tells them, "depart from Me." This passage should cause us to grapple hard with our faith to make sure we are Christians. Do you think there will be surprises in heaven?

The Narrow Road

Pastor Ed — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 13:57:29 +0100

Jesus is very clear that the road to life is narrow and few find it. This goes against the prevailing attitude in our culture that all roads lead to God. Anyone want to weigh in?

A.S.K.

Pastor Ed — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 21:27:28 +0100

Jesus is excited about prayer and invites us. Because He knows the Father, He is willing to even take the risk of being misunderstood in vs. 8: "for everyone who asks, receives...seeks, finds...knocks, it will be open." Do you see the Father this way?

Do Not Judge

Pastor Ed — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 18:55:54 +0100

Our culture uses this verse as a mantra for, "Don't you impose your standards on me." Tolerance for others differences and opinions has run amuck to the point where no one is permitted to "separate the truth from lies" which is the meaning of judging. What are your thoughts?

Overcoming Worry

Pastor Ed — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:25:02 +0100

No one is a natural born worrier. It is a learned response and can be unlearned.

Sunday's Sermon

Pastor Ed — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 21:27:41 +0100

I said: "The unforgiving person is the unforgiven person." Do you see this true in your experience?