Verse for the Week 1 Peter 2:20–21 (NIV) 20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an …
What makes Psalm 118 so powerful is its context. This was a song written for and often sung at Israel's great feast days including Passover and the high holy days. It was likely on the lips of the crowd when Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday and possibly sung again in the Upper Room after …
Chances are, if you aren't being required to be vaccinated for work, you know someone who is. Even if you, like me, have been vaccinated, we should care for those who are being required to do something in violation of their conscience. This is something that is a special concern to me as a pastor. …
We are currently in a study in the life of Moses at church. It occurred to me that Pharaoh would have had a unique view of what is happening here. I wrote this for the church, but thought others might enjoy it. Exodus 8:1 (NIV2011) Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh and …
Continue reading Why You Shouldn’t Give Up on The Church; By Pharaoh
Hate gets a bad rap. God hates. Recently, I read that “you will never turn from a sin you don’t hate.” Have you ever had one of those sins that just stayed with you? You wanted to end it, but it just hung around like the puppy we bought last year. It’s familiar. It’s tenacious. …
Our Dark Horses series at church this summer has covered a lot of exciting people. Early on we talked about Gideon the wimp who won a war outnumbered 400-to-one. Last week we heard about a little one-handed assassin who escaped through a latrine and brought about 80-years of peace. With stories like these, it’s easy …
Do you remember How the Grinch Stole Christmas? In the original book and movie, one thing he hates is the NOISE! I can so relate. Then he growled, with his Grinch fingers nervously drumming, "I must find some way to keep Christmas from coming! For, tomorrow, I know all the Who girls and boys Will …
We have had an infant, almost a toddler, living at our house for the last few weeks. They are wonderful, cute, (smelly), cuddly and all that stuff. But what’s the worst thing about an infant in your house? It’s not the diapers. It’s not the sickness. It’s the snot-sucker. I didn’t like them when we …
BELIEVE ME: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly I bought this book on the belief that it was a balanced approach to help evangelicals like me deal with the bi-polar Trump presidency. I think many of us have questions like… “How can I reject President Trump’s Junior High name calling, and yet support his …
The picture is from Bizarre Christmas Bible Stories, unfortunately not being released till 2019. It's our take on a Magi, and has nothing to do with 2 thoughts from 2 very different writers. The first, from Caleb Cooley This day we celebrate the Lord of creation taking on flesh without division, separation, confusion, or change. This …
Dan Cooley - The Ir-Reverend 