Week 13 - There's More to The Story!

Today we're following up on The Kingdoms Fall, with the Babylonian Captivity and Elijah on Sunday, and with a very strange story in 2 Kings 6 with Elisha, who followed with Elijah's prophetic mantle.  It's the story of the floating axe head, which doesn't seem like much, but there are some spiritual truths to be found - after all, it IS in the Bible, so there has to be some meaning in the story for it to be included in the story!  Enjoy the story!

And here's a song you can sing along with - Wonderful, Merciful Savior.  Enjoy and let the words roll like mighty waters over you!

 Week 13 - Sunday Preview!

Today we're talking through chapters 15, 16, and 17 with The Kingdoms Fall and the Babylonian Captivity.  In the sermon on Sunday the focus will be on Elijah and his experience with the "still small voice" of God.  Sunday's adult forum will focus on Jeremiah's promise that God knows the plans He has for us, and Monday's More to The Story will deal with a strange but wonderful story of the floating axe head.  Lots to keep track of - but here's Friday's video:

Here's a song I hope you like - the Goodness of God.  Through it all, God is good, all the time!

 Week 12 - There's More to The Story!

On Sunday we heard about the fall of King Solomon, and great was his fall!  He had it all - wisdom, wealth, prestige, and peace for his kingdom.  Unfortunately, that wasn't enough.  It didn't fill his heart.  And he fell - in a terrible way.  Jesus says in the Beatitudes, Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.  That's what I want to talk with you about in this video - how King Solomon didn't hunger and thirst for God's righteousness, and he certainly wasn't filled.  Let's avoid his mistake!  Listen in:

And God does raise us up, and I think you'll enjoy the Celtic Women singing that wonderful song!

 Week 12 - Sunday Preview!

Today we're on chapters 14 and 15 of The Story!  We're looking at what happened after the reign of King Solomon, after he turned his heart against God and started worshipping other pagan gods, and his whole successful empire split in two, in the Northern Kingdom (with 10 Tribes of Israel) and the Southern Kingdom (with two tribes of Judah and Benjamin).  God sent prophet after prophet to them, telling them to return to God, but they refused.  Trouble is on the horizon...so listen in because it gives us some very good advice on how to keep our hearts focused on the one, true God!  

And here's a familiar song for you to enjoy - 

10,000 Reasons to Bless the Lord - by Matt Redman.  Sing along!

 Week 11 - There's More to The Story!

It's Monday, and There's More to The Story!  We've been focusing on King Solomon, and in today's More to The Story I'd like to talk with you about King Solomon's wonderful words in Proverbs about keeping a calm spirit in the midst of a challenging time!  There's a lot he has to say (when things were going well in his life) that I think we can learn from, so listen in!

And here's a very familiar song - It is Well with My Soul - reminding us that no matter what outside circumstances come our way, we can still say It Is Well with My Soul.  Enjoy the beautiful harmony!

 Week 11 - Sunday Preview!

This week we're on Chapter 13 of The Story and focusing on King Solomon - the King Who Had It All.  King Solomon was an amazingly wealthy and wise King of Israel who took over after his father, King David, died.  Despite having wealth and wisdom, his heart started turning away from God, and he eventually fell, and great was his fall!  Listen in to the Sunday Preview, and then plan on coming to worship or listening in online.  Here's the video:

And here's a song that we sing at church that fits the theme - Take the world, but give me Jesus.  That's what's most important in life.  Take the world, but give me Jesus.

 Week 10 - There's More to The Story!

Today we're talking about a wonderful mentoring relationship between Jonathan, the son of wicked and evil King Saul, and David, the shepherd King.  Though a very unlikely friendship, it made all the difference in David's life.  And so...consider...how are you a mentor or guide to someone young around you?  How do you lead and guide those around you, both in life lessons, and in a Biblical faith?  Those who are young around us are looking for mentors, heroes, guides to make it through their lives.  David had Jonathan.  Who might you mentor?  Consider that as you listen to today's More To the Story!

And here's a song we sing at church that fits today - Lord, I need you!

 Week 10 - Sunday Preview!

Today we leave Solomon and King Saul and turn to King David, who is chosen from his father's sons to be the new king to replace King Saul.  Unfortunately, King Saul is still king!  But David is still anointed, and then goes off to face Goliath.  We'll be looking at Chapter 11 of The Story, and this is a preview of David and Sunday's sermon!

And I think you'll love this song by Steven Curtis Chapman entitled Great is Thy Faithfulness/My Redeemer is Faithful and True.  Enjoy!

 Week 9 - There's More to The Story!

As we follow up from the birth and call of Samuel, and the Nation of Israel turning against God in wanting a King, Saul, I'm just struck with how Saul wasn't humble.  At all.  Not in the slightest.  He put his interests first, and did what was best for him.

I'll share some thoughts about the importance of humility in this posting, and I think it's a good reminder of the importance of humility as we go into this year year.  So enjoy!

And here's The Tenors, singing a New Year's song - beautiful music and scenery - I hope you enjoy!