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Epistles

Setting the Past Behind Us

27-Dec-20 Galatians 4:1-11 It is no secret that the Apostle Paul, and the followers of Jesus in the churches of the province of Galatia did not get along. Oh, I suppose that they got along, but it was rather poorly, that they did so. At the beginning of chapter three, the apostle calls his his […]

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Gospels

Christmas Eve 2020

“And she gave birth to her first born son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger because there was no place for them in the Inn.” Those are some of the most familiar words in all of the Scriptures. They are simple, straight forward words, and the absolutely remarkable […]

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Gospels

Called into God’s Plan

20-Dec-20 Luke 1:26-38 Fourth Sunday In Advent In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, the angel Gabriel made an uninvited and unannounced visit to the young woman who would become the mother of the Messiah. He had a message for Mary that was shocking and completely out of the realm of her imagination. As soon […]

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Writings

Coming Home With Joy

13-Dec-20 Psalm 126 Third Sunday In Advent 2020 has been a difficult year for every person in this world. Very little has gone according to plan. Our lives have been disrupted in countless ways. In normal situations, Christmas is a difficult time for many people. Struggling with the coronavirus is making this time of year […]

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Gospels

Beyond the Lesser Connections

06-Dec-20 Matthew 3:1-12 Second Sunday in Advent Given the opportunity, most of us would say that John the Baptist has about as much to do with Christmas as does Santa Claus. Or, maybe we’d give good old Santa a slight edge over John. They might both wear really strange clothes, but at least Santa’s are […]

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Gospels

Expecting the Unexpected

29-Nov-20 (1st Sunday in Advent) Matthew 24:36-44 Jesus is coming again. This is the sure and certain hope of all persons, who, for two milennia now, have served Jesus Christ as their savior. That he will one day return to this earth as the king of all creation is something that Jesus himself has promised […]