Trying to be a glimpse of light in a world filled with darkness

REAL Love

Joshua — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 15:43:07 +0000

Sorry about the audio, but the message is a good/ hard one… Love your enemies

From Feb 20th

Looking Back to Our Future

Joshua — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 22:02:18 +0000

Part 1 and 2 of my sermon for the new year 2011.

Passage of scripture was Jeremiah 31:1-14 from the lectionary.

Kerygma- Gospel… Good News

Joshua — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 16:26:34 +0000

The past few days I have been reminded once again how difficult it is to put God’s magnificent grace into words. Tonight at youth we will be talking about the Hope that we have through our faith. We are finishing a series on FAITH using the acrostic Following Against logic a sometimes Invisible God by Trusting, which produces Hope.

Hope is a funny thing in our world, because their are so many objects that claim to be able to produce such an outcome. I’m talking about those products, weight loss plans, 5 step programs, and all those dern get rich quick schemes. It’s funny to me (and a little sad) to see advertising using religious language… even religious songs to promote their products. I guess advertisers realized that people are all looking for hope, love, and something to believe in beyond themselves. I’m pretty sure that much of this mentality is linked to how we in the church have transformed our purpose to “Selling Christianity.” We have totally bought in in most circumstances that following Christ is something to be bought… something to be sold.

The gift of Grace definitely has a price on it, don’t get me wrong, but it is not something that we as humans, as christians, or even me as a clergy person have the right to impart on others. Life saving Grace is a gift from God to all who believe. It’s so easy to forget that… isn’t it. That we all need a continual washing/ refreshing of God’s grace. That we don’t give out of our abundance, but that we give out of our own depravity. Oh God forgive me for thinking more highly of myself than I ought… forgive me for thinking that I hold the source to Your divine Grace. With my life God be praised. Oh Lord may all that I come into contact with be pointed to the true source of divine love and grace… to the true source of Hope that is found in Christ Jesus.

Oh the Good news… the Gospel… the Hope that we have in Christ… truly indescribable!

An Invitation

Joshua — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 20:38:38 +0000

This is my most recent sermon… An Invitation from Isaiah 43.

The Songs, A Community, A Servant

Joshua — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 14:26:34 +0000

Visual

Parts 1,2, and 3 of my sermon from Isaiah’s Servant Songs. August 30, 2009

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0y0NdgAaK94]

Friends to Die For parts 1, 2, and 3

Joshua — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 21:37:02 +0000

This is my second sermon at Park Place as Youth Pastor and I think it is also my longest. I don’t know… Anyway it was a joy to labor over and share with my heart.

Praise be to God

Community of the Resurrection Part 2

Joshua — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 18:32:29 +0000

Here is the link to the second part of my first sermon at Park Place.

Community of the Resurrection

Joshua — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 17:44:28 +0000

The above link is my first sermon at Park Place (Part 1)

Enjoy

Wedding Bells

Joshua — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 17:46:47 +0000

I find myself currently sitting in my hotel room in California the day of my best friend’s wedding. Later this evening I will officiate his wedding, my first ever. I pray that God will be exalted above all else.

It’s been a real joy to dig through scriptures and talk in depth to Matt about holy matrimony as his wedding has gotten closer and closer. What makes this all come together even more is the fact that my wedding is only two weeks away. There have been a few pre-wedding jitters, but for the most part Audrey and I are just really excited about this next step in our journey together.

If you are interested in seeing engagement pictures you can look on facebook if you have an account.

anyway I hope all is well

My first CRASH

Joshua — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 04:33:38 +0000

Well it hasn’t been the best week of my life in most senses, even though there are many dreams coming true in the midst of some great heartache. Wednesday of last week I got a hunch to back up my Macbook, which I hadn’t done since I received it in March. Friday rolled around and sure enough my screen went white and I couldn’t get my computer to respond. After hard starting the mac and trying everything I could think of the inevitable finally started to sink in. My fears were realized when I took my mac in on saturday to the tune of “we’re sorry, but it looks like your hard drive has failed.” they replaced it for free, but it did cost two trips to indy in gas.

Fast forward 24 hrs.

It was Monday night and I decided to make a McDonalds run since I hadn’t made myself an adequate meal after a busy day. It had just rained and it was quite dark. I was 5 blocks from home and had just made my second to last turn when disaster struck… This dear lady in a tank of a car pulled right out in front of me. I’m guessing you know where this is going. I tried to swerve and put the brakes on, but before I knew it I was sliding right into her with a loud bang. The left front corner of her tank hit my poor toyota right between the headlights. There were no injuries, thank the Lord… only a stiff neck and lower back today after much stress to the body. There are pictures attached to this entry so that you might share in my heartache over such a wonderful car.

In the midst of these crashes I’m well aware there is certainly a power working to destroy, to tear down, to disable… I stand on what I know to be true: That Jesus is the Rock and it is in Him that I put my trust. Even though there are times of great trial and heartache, I pray that I might be found worthy of the calling God has placed on my life. That I might be rooted and established in love… firmly founded in the truth of identity with God.