The Rest of the Sermon

The Rest of the Sermon

  • The American Idol of “Optimization” (And Why Jesus Wants No Part of It)

    Let’s be honest: January in America is exhausting. Before the Christmas tree is even at the curb, the cultural machine shifts gears from “Joy to the World” to “Fix Yourself.” The ads are relentless. Hack your metabolism. 10x your income.… Continue reading

  • Spend Less. Give More.

    Every December I tell myself that I’m going to keep Christmas simple this year. I imagine quiet nights at home with Christmas movies and hot chocolate. Fewer errands and trips to the store. Less presents and more presence. I tell… Continue reading

  • A Different Kind of Christmas

    Every year when Advent rolls around, I find myself feeling two things at the same time: excitement and exhaustion. Excitement because I genuinely love this season—the lights, the music, the food, the traditions. And exhaustion because somewhere along the way,… Continue reading

  • Christ the King in a World Full of Counterfeits

    Every year, right before Advent begins and we start talking about mangers and angels and silent nights, the Church pauses for one Sunday to ask a bold question: Who is your King? Not what do you say is your king.Not what does your… Continue reading

  • When Prayer Changes You: What Hannah Teaches Us About Not Giving Up

    There’s a moment in the story of Hannah that almost always gets overlooked. It happens right after she prays, long before anything in her life changes. It’s quiet, easy to miss, and honestly, many of us may not believe it’s… Continue reading

  • The Quiet Work of Redemption

    We tend to think of God as working in the big moments, the lightning bolts, the miracles, the “aha” experiences. But what if most of God’s work doesn’t look like that at all? The story of Ruth and Boaz is a story… Continue reading

  • The Power of Staying When It’s Easier to Leave

    Some of the most powerful moments in Scripture happen quietly. Around a dinner table. On a dusty road between destinations. That’s what we find in the story of Ruth and Naomi. Both women had lost everything. Their husbands were gone.… Continue reading

  • Facing Giants: Finding Courage in a Fearful World

    We love the story of David and Goliath. It’s one of the few Bible stories that even people outside the church still recognize. It’s become our go-to image for the underdog. We like that story. But I wonder if we’ve… Continue reading

  • When We Forget the Seas God Has Parted

    If you’ve ever felt stuck you know the panic that sets in when every direction looks impossible. That’s where Moses and the Israelites were in Exodus 14, the Red Sea in front of them, Pharaoh’s army behind them. It looked… Continue reading

  • Called From the Fire: When Excuses Keep Us from Following God

    Let’s be honest. Most Christians are great at making excuses. When life presses in and God nudges us toward something uncomfortable, helping someone in need, forgiving someone who hurt us, speaking up when silence is easier, we suddenly become experts… Continue reading