Matthew 1.18-25

This coming Sunday I will be preaching from Matthew 1.18-25. Something that has stuck out to me as I have been studying this passage is verse 19: "Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly." In this passage we can see that Joseph had got wind that Mary was pregnant and was wanting to not hurt her ---- but to "put her away" quietly. He would have been totally justified in not taking Mary as his wife. Here, Joseph loving Mary by dismissing her ----- rather than being harsh with her. We could put a term on Joseph such as chivalrous. He is not wanting to harm his betrothed, but at the same time he feels as if he cannot marry her since she is pregnant with another person's child.

Down South ---- we know about chivalry. I recently read a quote from Stanley Hauerwas on chivalry ----- it goes like this: "But I am never sure I know what women want. I think I need to know what women want because I was raised to think that my job as a male is to give women what they want. I am sure I learned that lesson from my mother. I have always assumed that my task is to make the world all right for any woman who is kind enough to love me. Paternalistic scripts die hard in the souls of Southern males."

For Joseph ---- he is not wanting to harm Mary ---- hence, he dismisses her. But God has different plans and sends an angel to appear to Joseph in a dream. God throws out the status quo ----- and writes Joseph into the gospel story. A story that is centered and focused on the salvation of sinners.

Do you all think you could have acted on this revelation from an angel of the Lord?

Little Drummer Boy

Baby Jesus, I am a poor boy too.

Isaiah 35.1-10

This coming Sunday we will be focusing on Isaiah 35.1-10. This passage begins by describing nature bursting forth in color and with joy. The natural world will give abundantly of itself ---- give rushing water, pools, streams, and swamps. And all of this is breaking forth at the traveler is moving along the highway called the Holy Way. This comes specifically from verse 8, which says: "A highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Holy Way; the unclean shall not travel on it, but it shall be for God's people; no traveler, not even fools, shall go astray." What does this say to us about the relationship of creation with God's people traveling through deserts and the wilderness?

Christmas Party 2010

For those of you that missed the Annual Christmas party, I uploaded a video from the party. The audio is really rough ----- sorry about that ----- there was a lot of background noise. Please enjoy this rendition of the 12 Days of Christmas, Person County style. If you cannot see this because you are on facebook, follow this link to my blog.

Flash Mob

You have to check this out. If you cannot see this because you are in facebook follow this link. This is one of the most awesome witnesses I have seen in a long while. Hallelujah chorus in a mall.

John the Baptist

This week we will spend some time with John the Baptist. I will be focusing on Matthew 3.1-12. I have always wondered why John the Baptist had such a profound influence on the upper elites of Judea? Why would they come all the way out to a river to get baptized by this guy that seems to be such a ruffian? Just to prove my point, it says in verse 7: "But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, 'You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee form the wrath to come? Bear fruit worthy of repentance.'" This seems like an unlikely candidate for the upper crust of religion to come out seeking to be baptized. I wonder if it has something to do with the traditional role of prophet and royalty that is so prevalent in the Old Testament? What do you all think?

Buddy Pack Program

If you are on facebook and cannot see this follow this link.

BBQ Overview ---- You really need to watch this

This is a great overview of BBQ for all of you. If you cannot see this video then please follow this link.

Romans 13.11-14

The new year begins for the Christian Calendar on this Sunday, November 28th. So, happy new year! It is the beginning of Advent. A time where we reflect on the coming of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ ---- and prepare our hearts and minds for his coming. I will be preaching on Romans 13.11-14. Verse 14 says: "Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires." There are points in our lives where we make ridiculous statements like: "I need to go and find myself." How does that kind of statement jive with: "Put on the Lord Jesus Christ"? Can you still be yourself and put on the Lord Jesus Christ?

A Time of Thanks

I just wanted to write a note to all of you that follow my blog. I am so thankful for all of you. You are truly a gift from God and I am thankful that the Lord has placed you in my life. There are times where I am writing that I know that many of you have prayed for me by name and that you have gone out of your way to say that you appreciate the things that I have written. Our Lord is a merciful and gracious God and part of that manifestation is found in your mercy and graciousness. Thank you for your continuing prayers and your involvement in my life. During this season, my prayer is that we can all give thanks for those friendships that surround us with love and grace.

Jeremiah 23.1-6

This coming Sunday we will be talking about what the prophet Jeremiah means when he says: "The Lord is our Righteousness." When I think of righteousness I think of right-standing. That in our relationships with each other we are doing right and in our relationship with God we are doing right. In this passage we could make the point that because the Lord is our righteousness ------ now we can be in right-standing relationship with others. So our ability to live in right relationship with God/others/ourselves/nature is all due to the Lord who is our righteousness. The one who has made us righteous ----- through the righteous act of laying down his life for us. But, this is the intriguing thing to me ----- what is the significance of "the Lord is our Righteousness" being tied to the line of David? Why does there have to be this kingly line?

Content Gap Methodist Church

This is a video from a dedication service that I went to in Jamaica. The church that we were at is Content Gap Methodist Church. This is their Sunday School choir. This church was re-dedicated after being destroyed by a hurricane around 3 years ago. There was much to celebrate that night ----- and this is a small example of that celebration. If you are having a hard time viewing this email click on this link and it will bring you to my blog.