Thursday, September 29, 2016

Name Tag

At many reunions, people are issued a name tag with their photo on it. This is not some intricate form of security, and the photo may or may not look very much like the person wearing the name tag. The photo is from their high school yearbook. That way, people who haven't seen them for forty years can figure out who they are.

Knowing who we are is important. It was important for Moses. More significant, it was important for him to know the God he was called to serve. It's important for us, too. This Sunday, find out who God is as we read from Exodus 3:11-14.

See you Sunday!

Hear this message at NHBC Media

Thursday, September 22, 2016

Greater Things

At every Olympics, world records are broken. At the Rio games, world records were set in the men's 400 meters, women's 10,000 meters, and the women's hammer throw. No doubt, the next Olympics will see more records fall. After all, that's the point of the Olympic motto: Faster, Higher, Stronger.

The disciples weren't worried about setting a record. They were worried about surviving. Jesus had just told them he was going to the cross, news that devastated the disciples to the core. Then Jesus told them:

"I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father." (John 14:12 NIV)

Greater things! What could Jesus possibly have meant by that? Find out this Sunday!

Hear this message at NHBC Media

Thursday, September 15, 2016

Different School, Same Facts

Our partner school is in their third building in as many years, due to construction. One building was in a totally different part of town, one was old-one is brand new. The square footage and layout of each building was vastly different. To some degree, the staff and students are different. However, through it all....nothing changed about the facts being taught and learned. Two plus two still equals four, they're still looking for 'X,' and the alphabet still has 26 letters.

Throughout our lives, we, too, are in different places....sometimes in familiar, comfortable surroundings where we feel confident. Sometimes in new and different spots where we lose our way and feel ill at ease. And sometimes, what we thought was for sure is taken away. Sometimes it feels like a different school everyday as we face new circumstances.

But nothing changes about the facts being taught. God is still on His throne, He is still faithful, He goes with us through every step and we won't face anything that doesn't go through Him. Different school, same fact....with Him not our partner, but our leader, provider and comforter. Sometimes the lesson has to be taught again...but our Teacher always has the right answers.

Listen

There was an old advertisement for an investment firm called E. F. Hutton. Many people still remember the tag line: When E. F. Hutton talks, people listen. I never really understood that commercial until my retirement fund began to invest in stocks. I still don't understand the market, but if anyone says anything that in any way seems to help, I listen.

Jesus makes a statement in John 14:6 that needs to be heard. By everyone. In fact, it is a central truth. Your eternity depends on it. We'll read it Sunday.

See you there!

Thursday, September 8, 2016

HGTV

Who could have ever imagined the explosion of construction television, shows that detail the process of building, buying, remodeling and reselling homes? From This Old House and Fixer Upper to Tiny Houses and Flip or Flop, homes are big TV today. There are probably many reasons for this, but part of the reason for their popularity is that we all dream of improving our living space, whether it's buying a couple of new throw pillows or moving to the new subdivision.

Join us this week as we take a look at John 14:1-3 where Jesus uses that common trait (and an interesting allusion to weddings) to help us understand the marvelous hope we have in his grace.

See You Sunday!

Listen to this message at NHBC Media