Shepherd's Garage

People come to Jesus for all kinds of reasons.  Some are spiritual and some are not.  Jesus welcomed all who came for whatever reason.  We should too.

Let's take a break from the review of "Happy Lies" and look at the other side.  There are those who have not had success in life and they do need to hear a message that life can be more than what they currently have.  I'll get back to reviewing the book next week, but want to pause for a side commentary.

Do you want to get well?  This is a question asked by Jesus a long time ago and we need to be asking ourselves.  Our first response might be, "Yes, of course."  But do we really.  Many do not want to get well.  Why?

If we ask and God does not do what we ask is that a lack of faith on our part?  If we just had more faith would God give us what we want?  Maybe not.  It is likely something else.  Let's explore.

In John 4 there is the story of the official whose son was near death.  Jesus spoke the word and the son lived.  However, the man had to wait the night to gete the news that his son was well.  How hard is it when Jesus makes a promise but we have to wait for it to be experienced?  Sometimes it can be a day and sometimes it can be years.  Jesus can still be believed.  

We take a look at Chapter 7 of the book Happy Lies.  Is there any danger to the Law of Attraction?

Back to school time.  Let's hear what the parents and teachers have to say as the children go back to school.

Why do Christians meet each week?  The meaning of the word church is assembly.  Why is it so important to get together each week. Let's explore.  My apologies, the first part of the sermon was cut off.

A fundamental question you have to ask yourself is this:  Am I enough and I just need to discover myself or do I need a savior?

The series from Ecclesiastes continues from chapter 5 today.  "Whoever loves money will never have enough."  We also know it is so easy to fall in love and it is easy to fall in love with money as well.  How do we keep from this evil.  Is what you have an achievement or a gift.  It matters how you view it.

Just because we have a desire does that mean we should act on it?

Don't think of the church as a building or even an institution but an assembly of those who desire to follow Jesus.

This week i take a look at chapter 4 of Melissa Dougherty's book "Happy Lies."  Truth is not found inside us.  it is external to us.  One reason why we struggle with pursuing truth and loving it is that the truth is hard and may even cause is to suffer.  There are a lot of other reasons why we pursue truth inside ourselves instead of outside so check them out in this episode.

Why?  Such a small word with so much power.  We want to know why but are not given answers.  What is going on?  With all the problems in the world it seems like God could do more.

We continue our look at Melissa Dougherty's book "Happy Lies."  We desire to be God.  Maybe not even in some metaphysical or ontological sense, but just wanting to exert and have control and make the world the way we want it.  This is one reason "New Thought" has such a powerful influence and can make it's way into our lives.

Teh 10 Commandments are in the news again.  But, do yoou even know what they are?  Many believers cannot even name them, so what does that say about those who want them in public cpaces but cannot even name them.  Let's explore.

# 1 of a series as I take a look at Melissa Dougherty's book called, "Happy Lies."  

How do we live among those who do not believe?  First, we make sure that we have our own house in order.  We need to hold each other to a high standard and then we can walk more confidently among those who do not believe.

As Christians how do we have conversations with those who do not believe.  We start first with the understandng that if we have the Holy Spirit we have been given a gift to help us understand spiritual truths.

To be a good father one needs to be a man of integrity.

"Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person." ESV Colossians 4:5-6How do we live among and talk to those who do not share our faith?  This is the beginning of a series that addresses how we can live and talk about what we believe in ways that are wise, gracious and seasoned with salt.  Main point today:  It matters how we act and how we talk if we want to be heard.

"As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."  These famous words delivered by Joshua so many years ago are words we still need to hear today.  In fact every choice we make matters, but there are some fundamental choices that determine all else.

It's the fool who is not afraid of anything.  Fear of God is the the beginning of wisdom.  

It's Mother's Day and I want to look at a "bitter" mother.  Naomi had a lot of reasons to be bitter.  Life had not worked out for her.  She said her name was now Mara, which means bitter.  Yet through her life and story God was at work and I would like to image that at the end when someone called her Mara she corrected them and said, "You can call me Naomi."  She was no longer the bitter one.

Practice generosity.  This means with more than just your money.  How else can we be generous?  Let's explore.

We should be consistent and steadfast in our prayers.  We also need to be watchful.  How can we be more watchful in our prayers and what difference does it make?

The Road to Emmaus story in Luke 24 is what I like to call the "First Supper" after the Last Supper.  Jesus is present with us whether we recognize it our not.  And when we do, it makes all the difference.

Work as though you are working for the Lord.  It matters how we do the jobs that we have.

“The best way to forget the high cost of living is to live so that life is worth more.”  I do not know who to contribute this quote to, but there is a truth there.  One way we make life worth more is to grow ourselves spiritually as well as physically.  Proverbs chapter 10 has some ways we can do this.  Let's explore.

Is there a solution to the way in which the world beats us down and oppresses us?  Let's explore Ecclesiastes chapter 4 and see a different way that life can be done.

Paul tells fathers not to exasperate their children.  Good advice but what does that look like?  Lets explore.

Rocks, hills, stones, trees and so many other things in creation can praise and teach us about God.  We jsut need to listen.

Wives submit to your husbands.  Submit can seem like a bad word today.  Is it or does it have a different meaning in the Bible than our culture uses it today?  Let's explore.

Letting the peace of Christ rule in your hearts is something we wish for.  But it seems an impossible task, at least sometimes.  How can we have this peace?

We return to dust Solomon tells us.  But the news is that God knows what to do with dust.  That makes all the difference.

It's so easy to be misled we have to be careful what we believe.  One way we are easily misled is when what we hear is sensational or affirms something we already believe.

"All You Really Need is Love."  That can be true if you understand what love is.  If you do not it can cause lots of problems.  Paul tell us that love is what binds the other graces together so how does that work?  Let's explore.

Some clarifications to February 9th sermon.  Specifically about gossip and what is it.

How does Christ being in all change the way we treat each other.  Anger, wrath, slander and obscene talk are all something we need to putout of our lives, but they just keep coming up time and time again.  Putting on Christ does make a difference in how we live.

Jesus or Barabbas?  It's a question as to which one you will choose.  The way of Jesus or the way of Barabbas is one question we need to ask ourselves each day.  Choose wisely.

How is coveting idolatry?  Let's explore.

We are told by Paul is Colossians 3:5 to put to death sexual immorality in our lives.  Why do Christians have such a different standard about sexuality than the world around us.  Let's explore why God cares so deeply about how we express ourselves sexually.

God has put eternity in our hearts.  We know there is more and we have questions about purpose and meaning in our lives.  Let's see what Ecclesaistes 3:9-15 can tell us about this.

That which is, already has been; that which is to be, already has been; Ecclesiastes 3:15 ESV. Interesting verse!  How are we to understand this?  Let's explore how "that which is to be has already been."

Set your mind on things above.  How do we do that?  Let's exlpore.

When the wise men came to Jerusalem and asked about the king of the Jews Herod was upset.  He was bothered there was another king.  What about us?  Are we really willing to let Jesus be king or are we bothered as well that Jesus is the true king and not us?

Jesus was a "man of sorrows" yet we sing "Joy to the World."  It was because he bore our sorrows that we are able to sing about Joy.

Distractions can come from worldly things and they can come from religious ones as well.  Paul warns us about getting caught up in religious things that are bot really important, but others will try to impose things on us.  Do not let yourself be judged by another over some "shadow" issue.

There is a time for everything we are told in Ecclesiastes 3.  Timing means a lot in life and so does getting things into the right order and sequence.  We ahve to plant before we harvest and even then it matters when we plant and when we harvest.  Take a listen as we explore this famous passage.

"What possessed you?"  Ever had somone ask you that question?  Let's explore what might have possessed you.

Do not grow weary in doign good.