"[Love] is not irritable or resentful." - 1 Corinthians 13:5 When I read this verse, my first thought was of Vicki Portfolio. I can't think of a time I've seen her when she wasn't cheerful and kind. I wish I could say that I am always like that, but I must confess that I have my days when I'm...
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My 1-year-old son, Eli, likes to have things his way. When he wants something, he goes and grabs it. When someone tries to make him do something he doesn't want to do, like take a nap, he throws a tantrum... I mean a full-on, scream-his-head-off, throw stuff, throw-himself-to-the-ground, tantrum. It's bad when 1-year-old acts like this, but it's expected. When...
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I had a discussion with someone recently about pride. Pride is difficult concept today because it can have different meanings, some good and some bad. You can be prideful (meaning arrogant) or you can be proud of the work you've done (satisfied and pleased). You can be known as being a proud person (boastful) or you can be known as...
Read MoreHappy St Patrick’s Day! I have always loved this day ever since I read the autobiography of Patrick. It is the second autobiography ever written after ‘The Confessions of St Augustine,” being the first. Patrick was kidnapped by Irish pirates in the late 400’s from Britain. After six years as a slave working in fields, he escaped and returned home. ...
Read MoreEaster is getting closer and one of the ways I see this is in a perennial Lilly bulb that I planted 18 years ago. Here is a picture of the plant in front of the first building. The plant is looking like it can bloom in about a week or two. It usually blooms either the last week of March...
Read MoreIn the little kid’s chapel this week I started talking about the fruit of the Spirit. One of them that is elusive to me at times is patience. (remember: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control) This Psalm speaks of the struggles we have with patience. I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word...
Read MoreContinuing to read in the Psalms, the first verse here reminds me of the saying, God is good all the time. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, his love endures forever. Let Israel say, His love endures forever. Let the house of Aaron say, His love endures forever. Let those who fear the Lord say, His love endures...
Read MoreOne of the great insights from the book we read at Book Club, “Life Together” was talking about praying the Psalms. In fact, the prayer book that Jesus used was the Book of Psalms. Just as he taught us the Lord’s Prayer, we can also pray like Jesus when we pray the Psalms. I call on you, O God, for...
Read MoreI am going to go back to continue with John 15 after yesterday’s reflection on Billy Graham. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I...
Read MoreAs I was watching the news this morning I heard the news that Billy Graham had died. Some of you may know I do have a Greek and Hebrew degree from Wheaton College, where he also went to school. This is part of the email Wheaton sent out this morning. Billy Graham preached the gospel to 215...
Read MoreWe continue on with John chapter 15 that has many insights into the love of Jesus. Yesterday Jesus talked about remaining in the love of Jesus and obeying Him. The next verse talks about the result of that action, joy. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may...
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It's Time for Our Annual Trip! Saturday, February 17, 2018 Der Dutchman Restaurant 3713 Bahia Vista Street Sarasota, Fl 34232 Pastor Dave will be taking us on the bus - leaving church promptly at 11:00AM ($5.00 donation, per person, to cover gas) Everyone is Welcome! If you have any questions, please contact: Carol Goebel 813-447-0781 ...
Read More"Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth." Do you ever struggle to know what to say when you pray or...
Read More"Forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us." - Luke 11:4 This passage is probably very familiar to you. It's the part of the Lord's prayer that deals with forgiveness. I find it amazing that this is part of the prayer Jesus taught. It shows us that Jesus wants us to confess our sins...
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