- receiving 14 new members at HMPC this weekend The Lord did not set his heart on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other nations, for you were the smallest of all nations! Rather, it was simply that the Lord loves you, and he was keeping the oath he had sworn to your ancestors. That is …
If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you. Psalm 130:3-4 In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the …
Continue reading You are Welcome! World Communion Sunday is for Everyone
He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, 2 Timothy 1:9 - church at HMPC It's not a hard and fast rule, but Mondays I tend to find …
- earlier this summer: eyes wide open for God's glory and goodness Be good to your servant while I live, that I may obey your word. Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law. Psalm 119:17-18 - trying to keep my eyes open Frequent flyers in this space will know I usually post every day. …
Continue reading Looking into today through the correct lens
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. James 1:19-20 - North Carolina writer Derek Maul This morning's post could easily be a book. So, instead, I'm going to keep it short. I …
Continue reading If we learned to listen maybe we wouldn’t judge so quickly….
Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” The man asked him, “What is your name?” “Jacob,” he answered. Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel,[a] because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.” Genesis 32:26-28 - Rebekah blessing the congregation The best I …
Continue reading “I will not let you go!” Rebekah has the opportunity to preach again.
I have come into my garden, my sister, my bride; I have gathered my myrrh with my spice.I have eaten my honeycomb and my honey; I have drunk my wine and my milk Song of Songs 5:1 Over the years the garden has been a recurring theological theme in my writing. It's kind of funny because I am …
Continue reading Sunday morning preaching – and how our garden reminds me of church
The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out. Proverbs 18:15 Doing wickedness is like sport to a fool, And so is wisdom to a man of understanding.” Proverbs 10:23 This is a good day for one of those "What are you reading?" posts. At the moment, having endured …
Continue reading Reading to Learn, to Challenge Ourselves, and to Grow as Thinking Christians
Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23 Two days, two worship services. They could not have been more different. They could not have been more similar. First, on Saturday, I enjoyed the blessing of being in the sanctuary at Wake …
Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! Romans 11:33 When I go to visit my dad, my routine typically involves getting him up from his chair, having him use the walker to get to his room, serving him a cup of tea - …
Continue reading Change, Surprise, Life, Tragedy, and the Constant that is God’s Faithful Love
Derek Maul: Words, Photographs, and Food for the Journey 