Intro: (1) series recap (2) book (3) outline overviewBeauty1. Spotting Beauty: (1) difficult to remember beauty (cf. grind, news) (2) “God’s goodness manifest to the senses” (Willard) → sunrise, flower, newborn, cookie, stream (3) beauty connected to remembering God as beautiful (Ps. 27:4) and creator/sustainer (cf. Luke 12:25-31, picture) (5) prayer → “help me experience your beauty”2. Speaking B...  Read More

Thanksgiving → expressing gratitude to God for his blessings and faithfulness● Psalm 118: (1) v.5-7 → hears/protects (2) v.13-14,18 → upholds when we’re stretched (3) v.20- 21 →has brought us near through sChrist (4) v.27-28 → tangible offering to the Lord● Rejoice: (1) v.1 → God’s love and gentleness, expressed through relationships (2) v.2 → God our shepherd (3) v.3 → remembering his past works ...  Read More

Below are Pastor Ben's sermon notes from this past Sunday, in case they may be helpful for further study. To listen to the sermon, click the link above.Intro: (1) series recap (2) comfort through guidance during something new (ice cream) (3) four aspectsThe Cloud1. Present guidance (9:15-17): (1) tabernacle connected to cloud/fire (cf. Ex. 13:20-22, 40:34-28) (2) v.16 emphasizes “always” → despite...  Read More

Below are Pastor Ben's sermon notes from this past Sunday, in case they may be helpful for further study. To listen to the sermon, click the link above.Intro (22-23): (1) recap (2) universal notion of blessing (cf. song) (3) Psalm 1, beatitudes (4) “state of well-being with God that belongs to those who have faith in Christ”A God of Blessing (24a): (1) tendency to look for temporal blessing (cf. J...  Read More

Below are Pastor Ben's sermon notes from this past Sunday, in case they may be helpful for further study. To listen to the sermon, click the link above.Intro: (1) v.1-2 →”temporary separation from normal life to be devoted to God in a special way” (cf. monks, Lent, prayer services) (2) “wander” vs. “wander”The Vow1. Alcohol (3-4): (1) anything with grapes (2) wine a symbol of joy in ancient world ...  Read More

Below are Pastor Ben's sermon notes from this past Sunday, in case they may be helpful for further study. To listen to the sermon, click the link above.Intro: (1) recap (2) sin makes wandering harder → case studies (3) 2nd thermo law → house/yard/coffee (4) these are here to remind of how deeply God wants us in his presence and warn us about driftingSin alienates, Christ brings near (1-4): (1) pur...  Read More