What experience have you had that gave you unbelievable, unspeakable, joy.  Joy is what motivated the Apostle John to write his letters to congregations in Asia Minor.  But, joy was not the first reaction of the disciples when Jesus met them in the upper room.  Jesus had to "open their minds" for them to "understand" -- then they had unfathomable joy.  What did Jesus do when He opened their minds?  How, only then, were they able to piece it all together?

Matthew 28:1-11 - He is risen!  He is risen, indeed!  Then, why is the  resurrection story plagued with so many people are are AFRAID.  What  does being afraid have to do with the resurrection?!

OUR LORD RIDES INTO JERUSALEM FROM BETHPHAGE ON THE MOUNT OF OLIVES. HOLY WEEK BEGINS TODAY. HOW THE CROWDS WILL CHANGE THEIR SONGS AND PRAISE TO CRIES FOR CRUCIFIXION AND DEATH. (check out this sermon as well on video: https://youtu.be/tLA8xeThaVc)

In our Lenten journey with Jesus, we visit the judgment hall of Pontius Pilate. After the disciples left Jesus, he was taken prisoner and brought to the judgment hall of Pontius Pilate. Peter waited and denied Jesus in the courtyard outside, while inside Jesus stands judgment. We contemplate Innocence, guilt and freedom in this place. - https://youtu.be/Q6I6O2WOFug

Guilt begins with "G" - but Grace also begins with "G".  Which do you want?  How is hearing the rooster crow when Peter denied knowing Christ in Caiaphas' courtyard a sound of guilt, as well as it is a sound of grace?  How does your guilt stand in your way of seeing God's grace and forgiveness?

This is the Third Sunday in Lent and our Place of the Passion is in the  Garden of Gethsemane where a perfect storm is about to hit.  How does  Jesus handle this situation?  How do you handle perfect storms in your  life? (video sermon: https://youtu.be/LXFcbnyNdKI)

This Lenten season we're visiting specific Places of the Passion. Today we walk with Jesus to the Mt. of Olives, where in minutes Jesus will be betrayed by Judas, denied by Peter, spit upon, beaten and then crucified.  But, even though these things are about to happen Jesus teaches his disciples to sing. Yes, sing! And, there are three reasons to sing even in the most horrific times in our lives: because of God’s power, His promise and his pardon. You might want to think of it during this time of the CORONA pandemic as God’s PPP. (Video of this sermon is at: https://youtu.be/TEIApQODRwg) 

Follow this midweek devotional through the 5 Wednesdays of this midweek Lenten season.  Each Wednesday a different Psalm will be studied.  Credit goes to Creative Communications and author Dr. Reed Lessing for our study material.

We continue our sermon series called Places of the Passion. Today we walk with Jesus to Bethany. In Bethany we meet Mary, the sister of Lazarus and Martha. And who is Mary?

Today Is Transfiguration Sunday. Today marks the end of Epiphany season, in which the Lord revealed to the world who he was. On this day, He leaves no shadow of a doubt in the mind of this disciples and us as he is transformed, presto change-o to shine like the sun. But there's more here than bling and bedazzlement.  Jesus transfiguration is an exclamation point to the recurring question of the multitudes in Mark: "Who is this who...commands, heals, forgives, etc."  There are three key words that unlock this text, that will transfigure you and me as well! (For a visual version please watch: https://youtu.be/YEcnmITsmH8.