Listening to the Messiah by the London Philharmonic Orchestra. I want to jump up, clap and say "Bravo! Bravo! Come Quickly Lord Jesus!"
Advent: Praying for the Families of Newtown, Connecticut
“Here’s something that happens all the time and makes no sense at all: Bad things happen to good people, and good things happen to bad people.” (Ecclesiastes 8:14, Message and NCV) Yesterday, I reflected on the longing Advent was creating in me for Christ’s second coming. The very presence of evil in this beautiful world…Read more Advent: Praying for the Families of Newtown, Connecticut
Advent: Grace Comes
"God's grace that can save everyone has come." Titus 2:11b, NCV In my Bible that verse is outlined in yellow and shaded in blue to remind me when Christ came grace appeared! Evil is defeated. Christ's birth means that everyone can be saved. In due time the earth will be saved and restored. Nature knows…Read more Advent: Grace Comes
Advent: Learning from our Crockpot
When Becky sears a roast on a Saturday night to go into the crockpot, I think, I preach shorter messages. She prepares a meal that cooks slowly all night long. When our family gets up Sunday morning, everyone talks about how good it smells and we can hardly wait to get home to eat. I've…Read more Advent: Learning from our Crockpot
Christmas Lunch at the Clantons
We always look forward to having our staff over for Christmas dinner. Here we are relaxing after a huge lunch today. Becky, once again prepared a wonderful and delicious meal. Pastor AJ, grilled the beef for us. You know that you are with good company when you are able to just sit and enjoy one…Read more Christmas Lunch at the Clantons
Advent Fasting Reveals Emotional Hunger
"Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins! But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we…Read more Advent Fasting Reveals Emotional Hunger
The Difference – Advent 3
I'm fortunate. Every Christmas in my memory has been a good one: a merry one. Pondering the birth of Christ and His Second Coming so far has deepened my love for this wonderful holiday. My life is so very different because of Christ. The world we live in so much better because of Christ. In…Read more The Difference – Advent 3
Longing for the Messiah – Advent 2
Longing for the Messiah! Each year it's a bit of challenge for me to put myself into the shoes of a conquered people under the foot of Roman armies and law. Their country's peace from time to shaken by pseudo messiahs leading revolts to throw out the hated Romans. For the rebels, and I feel…Read more Longing for the Messiah – Advent 2
Recession Lessons: Detroitonomics part two
"When the nation gets a cold, Detroit gets the flu, Pastor." So said a businessman in the auto industry. I've learned some lessons from this recession that I'd like to share with you. Remember when Becky and I moved to Detroit in 1999 there were more jobs available than people to fill them. People were…Read more Recession Lessons: Detroitonomics part two
Advent Rescued Christmas for Us
“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).” (Matthew 1:23, ESV) My parents made Christmas a special and festive time of the year for my sisters and me. However, the Christmas season was fairly short compared to what I experience as a…Read more Advent Rescued Christmas for Us
Coram Deo 