Sound Travels | The Kingdom of Heaven is Like…
Back in my younger years, I loved to windsurf. Riding over the ocean waves was exhilarating! One day however, after falling into the frigid Atlantic Ocean, I learned a valuable lesson: sound travels much better over water. Everyone back on the beach was able to hear what I said – and it wasn’t… holy.
In Matthew 13, Jesus creates a similar scene where everyone on the beach is able to hear His words, and… well, they’re holy. Those holy words, wrapped up into a parable, are what we get to unpack.
The Stuff of Legends | Fear Not
I love sunrises and sunsets. They’re glorious… and there’s a rhythm to them – a fixed cadence that God established on the fourth day of creation. If that 24-hour cycle were ever to be interrupted, that would be the stuff of legends… and Joshua chapter 10 is the stuff of legends. I’m excited to share this true story with you and how it still impacts us as God’s people today.
“There’s No Way!” | Fear Not
Several years ago, our staff went on a retreat. As part of our team-building exercise, we did a challenge course. When we were presented with the final challenge (crossing from one platform to another on a wire), I think we all said, “There’s no way!” But eventually, through faith and teamwork, we made it.
Over 3,000 years ago, the people of God faced a major challenge – crossing the Jordan River (in the spring!). I’m sure at first many of them said, “There’s no way!” But God made a way and – through faith and teamwork – they made it across. This true story still speaks words of faith and hope to us who believe today.
The Crown | Easter 2021
Beloved, Easter is upon us, and we are excited to gather with you and your family. This year’s Good Friday and Resurrection services will center around the "Christ Hymn" found in the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Philippians. We will focus our attention on the cross and crown of Jesus, we will take communion and witness baptisms, we will hear an amazing testimony, and more… So bring your family, invite a friend, and let’s get ready to remember and celebrate what Jesus saved us from and what He saved us for.
Prayer is Powerful | Jesus Unfiltered
Have you ever been to the mountains? No one stands at the foot of a mountain and feels big. Mountains are just enormous. In the Bible, they often symbolize great obstacles or challenges. But God says that through believing prayer, He can move them. That’s how powerful He is; and that’s how powerful our prayers can be. This Sunday we’ll look at a rather curious encounter Jesus has with a fig tree and how He turns that into an object lesson on believing prayer.
What Do You Believe? | Jesus Unfiltered
According to pollster George Barna, “76 percent of Americans believe in heaven, and 71 percent believe in hell. But only 32 percent believe that hell is ‘an actual place of torment and suffering.’ And, while 64 percent believe that they will go to heaven, only 0.005 percent believe that they will be sent to the flames.” So, beliefs about heaven and hell are still widespread in our country. But, what’s the truth? And, what difference does it make in our lives today?
The Unexpected | Jesus Unfiltered
Even though we were told by meteorologists to prepare for the epic weather we’ve had this week, as a long-time Texan, I just didn’t expect it to be that cold. In life, sometimes things happen that are unexpected. Such was often the case with Jesus and His ministry 2,000 years ago. Whenever I read through the Gospels with fresh eyes, I’m always amazed at the things He said and did which were unexpected.
Multiply | Made for This
William Clay Ford Jr. is the current Executive Chairman of the Ford Motor Company – making him the 5th generation of the Ford family to serve in leadership of this iconic American company. The Fords are modeling for us all how to be intentional in passing on what we know to the next generation. That’s what we get to discuss this Sunday. And may I say, what we as believers in Jesus have to pass on is way better than anything coming out of Detroit (although the Ford Raptor is really cool, just sayin’).
Connect | Made for This
Harvard University conducted a rather infamous study over the course of nearly 80 years. They monitored the lives of around 700 people in order to evaluate their personal happiness over the course of their lives. What was their conclusion? Warm, close relationships are the key. God’s Word has great instruction for us about those.
Vision Weekend 2021
Over the course of our lives, we will most likely receive many great invitations (weddings, parties, graduations, etc.). But there is one standing invitation that far exceeds them all – and that’s the invitation of Jesus to follow Him. Developing fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ is what TBC is all about. I’m excited to cast some vision and share with you this Sunday how we’re intending to accomplish that great calling in the years to come.
