24 Hours That Changed the World (a blogpost for a sermon series inspired by Adam Hamiliton's book by the same name to be preached beginning on March 1, 2015)

Our lives can change dramatically in 24 hours.  My life changed quickly when I married my best friend on July 25, 1992.  My whole world transformed when my son, Caleb, was born on December 26, 1994.  Everything morphed when my wife was involved in a pedestrian motor vehicle accident while walking our dog in our neighborhood on October 22, 2013.  Life can change in the blink of an eye.

The lead up to Jesus' execution changed the spiritual path of the universe for eternity.  That day.  That 24 hours.  That moment in time changed the world.

RADICAL - Dying as Gain (a blogpost for a sermon based on David Platt's Radical to be preached on February 15, 2015)

I have thought a lot about death in my 48 years of life.  I have done hundreds of funerals.  Prayed with many people during the last moments of their life.  I have held family members as they watched the life pass from their loved one.  I have felt the sting of the loss of grandparents, an uncle, and other family members.  I have lost close friends and many classmates/acquaintances.

I will say that I have witnessed death that has seemed gracious, the end to a very difficult illness or disease.  While I have seen that grace, it has not always seemed like gain.  The absence of suffering does not necessarily mean there has been a gain; just a subtraction of a minus.

I will never forget a funeral for one of my high school friend's grandfather.  The church that morning seemed more like a party than a funeral.  It was a true celebration.  You could feel the gain.  You could tell that he was not only better off but better indeed.

How do you look forward to your death?  Is it an event to be dreaded or a moment to be prized?  How do you live in light of death?

RADICAL - Living When Dying is Gain (a blogpost for a sermon based on David Platt's Radical to be preached on February 15, 2015)

"For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain."  These words from the Apostle Paul found in Philippians 1:21 challenge the very nature of living in this world.  "To live is Christ" can hold more meanings and ideas than I can expound.  "To die is gain" has more life confronting nuances to make your head spin.

What does it mean for you "to live"?

Radical - No plan B (a blogpost for a sermon based on David Platt's, Radical, to be preached in February 15, 2015)

Why would God intrust the care of the good news to us?  Maybe more importantly, why would He not have a backup plan?

RADICAL - How far is too far? - (a blogpost for a sermon based upon the book, Radical, by David Platt to be preached on Feb. 8, 2015)

How far will you allow God to stretch you?  What are your boarders and boundaries?  What is too far?

For some of us, radical is an easy word to swallow.  For others of us, radical is a terrifying and terrible word.  Which camp do you fall into?

RADICAL - How Much is Enough - What wouldn't you give up? (a blogpost for a sermon to be preached on Feb. 8, 2015)

How much can God ask of you?  Do you have a breaking point?  I do.  What wouldn't you give?

RADICAL - How Much is Enough - Wealthy? (a blogpost for a sermon based upon David Platt's "Radical" for a sermon to be preached on February 11, 2015)

I read an article a few years ago that said that we determine what "wealthy" is by looking at the people who are a step up from us financially.  We would be well off if we just had as much money as the Jones' family down the street.  The article stated that it did not matter which socioeconomic strata you cam from; you always considered the people above you as wealthy.  But not you.

So if we are being honest, are you wealthy?  What would it take for you to consider yourself wealthy?  Will you ever have "enough"?

Pop quiz - In your opinion, how much does a family of four have to make in a year to be considered wealthy?

RADICAL - How Much is Enough (a blogpost for a sermon based upon David Platt's "Radical" for a sermon to be preached on February 11, 2015)

How much do you really need?  I'm talking money here.  How much do you really need?

Paula and I did very well in TN on much less than we now make.  To be honest, we were actually better off because even though we made less we owed less and owned much less.  Having more money is not always the blessing that it might seem.

How much is enough?