We are in the midst of Holy Week. Why are the days from Palm Sunday to Easter called Holy? This is the week we remember God’s love lavished on us. At Christmas, God comes to us in the beauty and vulnerability of a child. In this Holy Week, we see Jesus taking up the cross […]
Author Archives: paulrpurdue
What is the nature of prayer? Is prayer always asking God to do something? Or, is prayer a way to align my living with God’s direction? Jesus tells us to ask, seek and knock. Matthew 7:7 promises we will receive, find and see doors open. Is prayer a tool to get God to […]
I arise today Through the strength of Christ’s birth and baptism, Through the strength of His crucifixion and burial, Through the strength of His resurrection and ascension, Through the strength of His return and judgment of doom. I arise today In the prayers of patriarchs, In the preaching of the apostles, In faith of matriarchs, […]
What does it mean to be a Christian? Is it a CROSS in your pocket or around your neck? Or is it a taking up your cross and following Jesus? Is it your name recorded in a church roll book? Or the role Christ plays in your life? Is it a decision you made years […]
What will you give up for lent? Will you take up a spiritual practice to grow closer to Jesus? How will you sacrifice so as to draw nearer to the cross? Twenty five years ago, Connie taught an aerobics class at our church. I kidded with her about her dance class, assured with my daily 6 […]
Sunday I will be asking these questions as I preach about Matthew 14. There are a few quotes too! Get your feet wet Sermon Notes & Questions In Matthew 14, Jesus and the disciples seek to ________________ after hearing terrible news. Instead they end up ______________________ people. Immediately Jesus made the disciples get […]
A Short Roll Call of Biblical Servants by Profession Adam, Eve, Able and Elisha who farmed Abraham and Sara, shepherds and traders Joseph a minister of agriculture Erastus, a director of public works Noah a vine-dresser, prophet, captain, zookeeper David a shepherd, musician, poet, warrior, king Bezalel and Aholiab builders silversmiths, artisans, and weavers Heman, […]
A few weeks ago I was asked to pray at the Chamber of Commerce Annual Diner. I spent some time pondering how exactly to pray. It struck me that God called working people: Abraham, Moses, Peter and Lydia. Jesus even took on a trade. I am not sure the church has articulated a good theology […]
O Thou Eternal God, O Thou Eternal God, out of whose absolute power and infinite intelligence the whole universe has come into being. We humbly confess that we have not loved thee with our hearts, souls and minds And we have not loved our neighbors as Christ loved us. We have all too often […]
God’s Christmas story is full of travel. Mary and Joseph traverse some 80 miles on foot and burrow, traveling from Nazareth to Bethlehem. The shepherds leave their fields and flocks in haste, racing to the manger to see the newborn Savior. The Magi, Persian princes, see a prophetic star and caravan across the desert […]
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