Promises of PeaceThis past Sunday we looked at Psalm 85 as a reminder of God’s desire to be our peace. Most scholars believe the historical context of this psalm is the return of God’s people back to their land after 70 years in exile. Part of the reason for this belief is how well the content of this psalm lines up with content in the book of Isaiah that is written for those returning from exile....  Read More

“Do you think Christmas will ever feel the same?”This was the question my husband asked me recently. I knew exactly why he was asking…because it hasn’t been the same for three years…since our granddaughter, Annika, went to heaven. I thought for a minute and replied, “No sweetie, I don’t think it will ever feel the same. How can it? Our lives are not the same and will never be the same. But that do...  Read More

Is the Old Testament really important?  Are the major and minor prophets even worth reading?  What about all the stories throughout the historical books that constantly point to Israel's failure to live up to the standard God had set forth?    The answer to each of those questions should be a resounding… YES.  This semester our students have been studying through the Old Testament and with many of...  Read More

I have been reminded lately, through a number of conversations and situations around our congregation, of the reality of suffering that many of us are walking through. Interestingly, Peter tells those who follow Christ not to “be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you” (1 Peter 4:12), and so perhaps various experiences of pain we find ourselves in are to be expected. In light of that ...  Read More

Further ResourcesOne of my “go-to” resource places is the website https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/. Below are a number of articles and videos I came across on that site while prepping this sermon series that you may find helpful in the area of homosexuality. https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/sam-allberry-on-ministering-to-same-sex-attracted-friends/ https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/b...  Read More

The Sin of SodomOutside of Leviticus, the other primary reference to homosexual activity in the OT is found in Genesis 19. In this chapter we find Lot, the nephew of Abraham, dwelling in Sodom, which is about to be destroyed by the Lord because of its wickedness. Some angels, who apparently look like regular men (v.5), come to warn Lot. After some men in the town see the angels come into Lot’s hou...  Read More