Church

Back in 2001, we made the decision to leave the church tradition we both had grown up in. We felt God calling us into a new, more contemporary direction. I found myself one of two finalists for a senior associate position outside of Chicago. Over two years, I would transition into the senior pastor position. It was a fantastic opportunity to be mentored by a successful pastor. The church operated a Christian school that our two daughters could attend. Having been born and raised in Peoria (downstate!), I still had family in central Illinois.  And ... it would put me within striking distance of Wrigley Field. After returning from our interview, I'll never forget the phone call from the chairman of elders. He politely informed me that they had opted for the other candidate because he came from the same background. To put it bluntly, I was devastated and disappointed. But…

Here is the video of last week's sermon - The Fear of the Unknown. It's the first in a three-part series called "No Fear November."

Here's the video of my sermon entitled, "Living for the Glory of God." It was preached at Mountainview on October 29-30, 2016.

You are probably familiar with the concept of the bell curve. A bell curve is quite simple. Take people who play golf over the course of any given year. Those on the right side of the curve will be really good. Those on the left side will be dangerously bad. But the majority of people are neither really good or really bad. They are just in the middle. Take Michael Jordan. When it comes to dunking a basketball, he would be on the far right side of basketball bell curve. Then there's nerdy guys like me -- on the far left of the bell curve. Millions of Michael Jordan wannabees would be in the middle. But here’s the problem: every day we are bombarded with the best of the best – it's either the greatest, the funniest, or the biggest. But where do I live most of the time? In the middle. Unfortunately, we’ve become…

In doing research for this weekend’s message, I came across this letter from one friend to another and thought I’d share it with you. Dear friend, pay close attention to this, my wisdom; listen very closely to the way I see it. Then you’ll acquire a taste for good sense; what I tell you will keep you out of trouble. The lips of a seductive woman are oh so sweet, her soft words are oh so smooth. But it won’t be long before she’s gravel in your mouth, a pain in your gut, a wound in your heart. She’s dancing down the primrose path to Death; she’s headed straight for Hell and taking you with her. She hasn’t a clue about Real Life, about who she is or where she’s going.  So, my friend, listen closely; don’t treat my words casually. Keep your distance from such a woman; absolutely stay out…