Sermons and Biblical Studies

Topics: Character; Maturity; Spiritual Formation Reference: 1 Corinthians 3:1–2 My husband usually sets his computer bag next to the front door before leaving home in the morning. One day he left the house but forgot to take his computer with him. Our two-year-old saw it and came running to find me. “Mama, Daddy forgot to … Continue reading “DAD’S
BAG”

Topics: Blame; Creation; Disorder References: Genesis 2:2; 3:11–13; 1 Corinthians 14:33 My husband and I are always talking to our son about the wonderful things God has made. We ask questions like: “Who made the sun?” and “Who made the rain?” One evening, I looked at the toys scattered on the floor and asked, “Who … Continue reading “HE
DID IT”

Topics: Affection; Children; Family; Mothers; Values Reference: 1 Corinthians 13:9–12 My three young children love to get up early and watch the garbage truck. They love watching the waste hauler empty the can and work the lever that causes the truck to compact the trash. On the morning I turned thirty-five, my husband said to … Continue reading “REMEMBERING
GARBAGE DAY”

Topics: Confession; Counsel References: Psalm 32:8; Matthew 13:24–43 I dragged my teenage son Matt outside to help me pull weeds one sunny morning, even though he snickers when he catches me talking to my plants. “Be careful; the weeds are so thick here you could easily uproot a flower,” I told him. “If you do, … Continue reading “TALKING
TO FLOWERS”

Topics: Christian Life; Giving; Ministry; Offerings; Preaching References: Leviticus 27:32; Deuteronomy 25:4; 1 Timothy 5:18 Recently I tried something different in our worship service. Instead of preaching at the end, I did that first, followed by music, the offering, and Scripture reading. As I began preaching, I could see people were preparing for the offering … Continue reading “PREACHING
OUT OF ORDER”

Topics: Communication; Family; Relationships; Spouses Reference: 2 Timothy 2:24 My farmer husband, Larry, isn’t a cook. So when I accepted a lunch invitation with former coworkers, I put food for Larry in the oven and scribbled a note: “Dinner in oven.” Returning at 4:00 p.m., I waved at Larry working outside, but he didn’t wave … Continue reading “PROOFING
THE NOTE”

Topics: Attitudes; Christian Life; Learning; Perspective; Teaching Reference: 1 Peter 3:20 You may have learned everything you needed to know from kindergarten (as a popular book suggests). But here’s everything I needed to know from Noah:      1.     Don’t miss the boat.      2.     We’re all in the same boat.      3.     Plan ahead. It wasn’t raining when Noah built the … Continue reading “LESSONS
FROM NOAH”

Topics: Excuses; Motives; Self-centeredness References: Zechariah 7:11–12; Philippians 4:15–19 A fellow went next door to borrow his neighbor’s lawn mower. The neighbor said he couldn’t use the mower because all the flights had been canceled from New York to Los Angeles. The borrower asked what canceled flights from New York to Los Angeles had to … Continue reading “ANY
EXCUSE WILL DO”

Topics: Learning; Mistakes; Regret; Repentance; Teaching References: 2 Corinthians 7:10; 2 Peter 2:22 Yes, a pig really flew—first class. It flew US Airways, and the company, embarrassed, says it’s never going to let it happen again. On October 17, the six-hour flight from Philadelphia to Seattle carried 201 passengers—200 people and one hog, which sat … Continue reading “PIG
ON A PLANE”

Topics: Doubt; God; Limitations; Mysteries; Questions References: Psalm 8:3–4; Isaiah 40:12–14; Romans 11:33–36 If you’re pondering the imponderables, here are more to add to the list: •     You tell a man there are 400 billion stars, and he’ll believe you. But tell him a bench has wet paint, and he has to touch it. Why? •     Why … Continue reading “BRAIN
TEASERS”