Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Shocking Aftermath of 9/11

Since 9/11, the number of Muslims who live in America has more than doubled. Aren't we supposed to be a hate-filled, bigoted society? What gives? Listen to this and more "shocking" observations...Dana Hanson Show #45


MP3 File

Is Chaos a Bad Thing?

The Spirit of God hovers over the chaos of the deep...and then His creativity explodes! What does this mean for us in our lives?

Genesis 1


MP3 File

prison ministry...it's all about love

I interview Bob Levy, a rookie member of our Epiphany Ministry team, and we talk about his experience at our recent weekend spiritual retreat at the prison.

Dana Hanson Show #43


MP3 File

Prison "Escape"

On an Epiphany Prison Ministry Spiritual Retreat, we all witness a powerful experience of the amazing freedom that comes through God2019s forgiveness.

Episode #42 Dana Hanson Show
(music courtesy of www.makerofmusic.com)


MP3 File

Thursday, August 29, 2013

The "Theory of Everything"- in under 5 minutes?

Insights into the challenges of life in our society from brain research...really


MP3 File

Even an idiot can be healed...

A story of how God used John Wimber to rock my world.


MP3 File

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

When we love we do something

last in series (room1228.com) on love: Love is Movement

When we love, we take action. Even rock stars can understand...


MP3 File

Friday, August 16, 2013

love is sacrifice

"Love" is not about getting our needs met-
"Love" is sacrifice.

Listen to the difference


MP3 File

love is sacrifice

"Love" is not about getting our needs met-
"Love" is sacrifice.

Listen to the difference


MP3 File

Thursday, August 08, 2013

Are conservatives better educated?

The work of one of President Obama's leading intellectual influences, Reinhold Niebuhr, isn't even part of most university curriculum anywhere. He is considered too conservative or is simply unknown, though he was labeled the "Greatest Theologian of the 20th Century in America," by Time magazine, of all places. He actually had a tremendous influence over one of his students, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., as well.

This is a sign of our time, Why is it so hard for a liberal person to receive a well-rounded education today? Listen


MP3 File

Tuesday, August 06, 2013

God loves babies #34

Why does God love babies so much? Maybe, like us, it's the little things...


MP3 File

Wednesday, July 31, 2013

love is necessary

Why is love the key ingredient to any relationship? What exactly is Christian love?

Dana's sermon series based on "Lovevolution" (room1228.com)


MP3 File

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Is Either/Or Thinking Wise?

How do we treat people we disagree with? The wisdom of the Bible comes through, for example, applied to the same-sex marriage debate.


MP3 File

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Tough Guys

What is God calling you to do in your life? Rather than waiting around until you receive a clear "sign," why not get going and keep going until He tells you to stop?

Thanks to Erwin McManus for insight on this topic.


MP3 File

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Self Forgetfulness: Key to healthy life

The greatest freedom for us to be the person God designs us to be begins with self-forgetfulness. What is it and how do I get it?

Paul gets it (1 Corinthians 3:21-4:7) and author Timothy Keller gives excellent insight. Listen in...


MP3 File

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Recess best time for learning? DH Show #28

The latest brain research shows children's learning, relationship skills, and emotional maturity grow best in unorganized, unsupervised play. In other words, opposite of the organized adult-led, adult-organized, adult-supervised life most of us have created for them.
Learning to get out of the way...


MP3 File

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Talking to kids about Jesus: On giving offering DH Show #27

How do we learn how to be generous in giving to God? If you have little kids, they learn the same way as everything else, by watching you. What does your offering teach your kids about your God?

God- "Yes, I do mean everything"

A stewardship sermon based on events in the life of Benaiah, King Solomon's hitman.
Facing our insecurity by jumping right into the pit.

Wednesday, June 05, 2013

Christians don't just dial it in-podcast

LIFEhouse leader, T.C. Christopher, teaches on what it means to live out your faith in all of your life!

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Facing our fears- podcast

What is holding you back from doing what you sense God is calling you to do?
Based on the events in Gideon's life with a thanks to the lifechurch.tv "Fearless" series

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Talking to kids about Jesus: Where is Jesus? DH Show #24

When we talk to young kids about Jesus in a way that is helpful and true, that prepares them for expanding their viewpoint as they get older, we do them a great service. It's also not as easy as you think.

This is the first in a series of examples of how you can talk about key teachings of the Christian faith with young children.

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Christianity: The Source of Radical Equality- podcast

All people who hate hatred, abhor bigotry, and demand justice, have a worldview that is birthed in the Christian Bible and practiced first by the early Christians.

Jesus is the radical model of gracious equality.

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

The Good News of Jesus- Pure and Simple- podcast

When you boil the gospel down to its essence, you are startled by the beauty and love. Listen...

First World Problems- DH Show #23

So much of what we worry about and complain about is simply non-existent in a large part of the world. Listen to some of these "first world problems."

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

How to Hear from God- podcast

Do you want to get closer to God? The Holy Spirit leads the way.

Friday, May 10, 2013

Is God Losing? sermon podcast

The world needs Christians living out their faith more than ever.

Wednesday, May 08, 2013

Dallas Willard: My friend DH Show #22

My dear friend, Dallas Willard died this morning and receives his hero's welcome in the heavenly dimension. Sharing initial thoughts, especially what a delight it is to just hang with someone totally at peace within himself, immersed in the "trinitarian reality, " he might say...

Tuesday, May 07, 2013

First Days: What if it's true?

The End of the World. Armageddon. The End of Days. The Apocalypse. These all sound so ominous and there are always people willing to be hyper-focused on these as a theme for their lives.

I like to obsess on The First Days. The New Creation. Restoration. Join me on a little walk...

Why Cinco de Mayo ought to be a major American holiday

Did you know Cinco de Mayo is much more than just a celebration "manufactured" by beer companies? Actually, May 5, 1862 may well have been a pivotal day in the history of the United States of America. Listen in...

Wednesday, May 01, 2013

My Take on the Jason Collins Announcement- DH Show #20

Is Jason Collins "heroic" for announcing he is gay, and is Chris Brousshard wrong for what he said?
Listen in...

Friday, April 19, 2013

Extreme Makeover: God Edition

Easter is the first day of the new creation. What does this mean for us in a practical way? You'll want to hear this. It's good news!

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Taking a "stand" against evil- DH show #19

What do you do when evil shows up? Run away?Run towards? Resist? Recent horrific events in Boston and Houston provide a contrast in response.

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Skeptical of Christianity? Pt. 2-DH Show#18

Do you consider yourself progressive and lean a bit to the left when it comes to politics? Are you an active Christian? If not, you may need to reconsider.

After all, most of your key values come straight out of the model and teachings of Jesus. This might be the time to examine or reexamine Jesus and consider following him. Why wouldn't you?

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Skeptical of Christianity? Not so fast...DH Show#17

Some key insights about why you might want to reconsider your attitude towards Christianity, especially if you are a modern enlightened "progressive." I review great booklet by Tim Keller, "The Skeptical Student."

Tuesday, April 09, 2013

Discipleship and Rick Pitino? Dana Hanson Show #16

The new NCAA Basketball champions, Louisville, are coached by Rick Pitino. He is an amazing coach and you will be surprised to learn what he can teach us about discipleship. Listen in...

Friday, April 05, 2013

Are your best days ahead?

God molds us into people who seek the good of others and enjoy this expanding of our graciousness. If we let him in.

Sermon based on the rich man and Lazarus

Wednesday, April 03, 2013

When are you old? The Dana Hanson Show #15

When are you considering yourself old? How about thinking about it in terms of your mind, body, and spirit? The answers might surprise you...

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Overview of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter

What's going on at Christian worship on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter? Listen to my take...

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

There is no retirement in the Bible- Dana Hanson Show #13

The new Pope is 76 years old. This makes me pause and reflect on opportunities of influence and potency as we get older. What does the Bible say about all of this "aging" stuff?

Friday, March 15, 2013

spiritual mercenaries raising your kids?

What is the biblical model of parenting? If you don't beat them they'll grow up to be brats? Send them to Christian School, Sunday School and Youth Groups and that will take care of their faith nurturing?
There's a lot of confusion of what it means to raise your children God's way?
Actually it's very simple to understand...
Dana Hanson Show #11

Friday, March 08, 2013

We are God's Masterpiece

Why don't we let God love us the way He wants to? He's there to meet us on the highway to His way.

Thursday, March 07, 2013

Is it wrong to praise our kids? pt. 2- Dana Hanson Show #9

Part 2 of why lavish, overpraise of our children, especially as they get older is actually quite harmful. Not praise itself, but how it is given and received.

Learn why the "self-esteem" movement is not receiving any esteem in the actual followup research.

Tuesday, March 05, 2013

Is it wrong to praise our kids? pt.3- Dana Hanson Show #10

As our kids get older, overpraising them in a generalized and lavish way actually does much more harm than good. Praise that is specific and truthful; praise that emphasizes effort and perseverance- now, your talking!

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

We are the net, Jesus is the fisherman- sermon

When Jesus says, "I will make you fishers of men (people)," we know it is Jesus working through us that connects with people. So, what if we are meant to be the net?

Sharing the good news, "Jesus style."

Is it wrong to praise our kids?- Dana Hanson Show #8

According to the latest brain research on how kids learn, the challenge is not if we should praise them(yes!), but how.

Listen in on why telling your kids they're smart might not be too smart.

Thursday, February 21, 2013

"Tell me a Jesus story": sharing His story with kids

Listen in as I share the gospel with preschoolers. What do preschool age children know about Jesus? Actually, we decide. It's what we tell them through our lives, our joys, and our play, as we share His story.

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Dana Hanson Show w/ Olu Olubunmi and James Coffman pt. 2

I interview Olu Olubunmi (okayhouseunlimited.com), from Nigeria and
James Coffman, from Minneapolis, and we talk about the spread of the gospel in the early church as it relates today. Continue to listen to this fascinating conversation...

Dana Hanson Show w/ Olu Olubunmi and James Coffman pt. 1

I interview Olu Olubunmi (okayhouseunlimited.com), from Nigeria and James Coffman, from Minneapolis, and we talk about the spread of the gospel in the early church as it relates today. Listen in on a fascinating conversation...

Dana Hanson Show w/ Olu Olubunmi and James Coffman pt. 2

I interview Olu Olubunmi (okayhouseunlimited.com), from Nigeria and
James Coffman, from Minneapolis, and we talk about the spread of the gospel in the early church as it relates today. Continue to listen to this fascinating conversation...

Dana Hanson Show w/ Olu Olubunmi and James Coffman pt. 1

I interview Olu Olubunmi (okayhouseunlimited.com), from Nigeria and James Coffman, from Minneapolis, and we talk about the spread of the gospel in the early church as it relates today. Listen in on a fascinating conversation...

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

What is this season we call "Lent"?

Is Lent outdated for disciples of Jesus? Listen in.

Grandpa in the Stands...

What's it like to watch your grandkids grow up on the hardwood courts? Listen to one grandfather talk about his granddaughters...It's way more than just a game

Monday, February 11, 2013

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

The Power of Worship- podcast

At the intersection of heaven and earth

Thursday, December 06, 2012

Friends of "Those People"

If you follow Jesus you end up being where he wants to be. Neighborhoods, public schools...How to be the anti-Jonah

Thursday, November 29, 2012

The Church On The Move

The Church is not contained in temples and buildings. It is the people of God on the move being the place where God resides to rescue the world.

Tuesday, November 06, 2012

What does it mean to fight for what is right?

King David is worshipper and warrior and becomes a leader because God's purposes are ultimate.

Thursday, November 01, 2012

When God Seems Distant, It's Not Distance

Pray Listen= Prayer
Hannah is a hero!

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

American Idols: What Gets in God's Way?

There are good things and not so good things that we value more than God. At least we act that way. What are our "Golden Calves"?

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Freedom and New Life For You

Again and again, God is the God of rescue and new life. Out of Egypt with God's people...

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Growing in Forgiveness, Growing in Power

The events in the life of Joseph provide insight into how God expands our power to do His work.

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

On Being All In- podcast

Abraham and Sarah left everything behind and moved forward on a promise. You have the same promise. Are you ready to move?

Friday, October 12, 2012

Are men better than women?- podcast

What do the events of the lives of Adam and Eve tell us about ourselves?
What do they tell us about God?

Friday, September 21, 2012

Death of John the Baptist- podcast

What is the death of John the Baptist really all about?

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

The Key to Happiness? podcast

Do the Danes really have the answer to happiness?

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

God rids fear from our lives- podcast

Living without fear is God's design for us.

Wednesday, August 01, 2012

Jesus and Physics...Really? podcast

The "discovery" of the Higgs boson and confirmation of the Higgs field has interesting connections to Jesus. What are they? Let's find out...

Sunday, July 15, 2012

In God's Way, Weak is Strong...Why? podcast

When we are at our weakest in human terms, it is clear to everyone that it is God who shows up in order to do what He wants.

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

making peace with your father- podcast

A father's day message of hope and grace

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

the blessings keep coming- podcast

God blesses us from the beginning through the new beginning through...ever

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Loving Your Neighbor: Capital Investment- podcast

Third part of our "Loving Your Neighbor" series. "Capital" is what we have to invest in our neighbor. Author, Mike Breen, speaks of 5 capitals. What are they?

Monday, June 11, 2012

Loving Your Neighbor: Person of Peace- podcast

Second in a series on loving our neighbor. This week we consider the way Jesus designed for us to connect with others: The person of peace.

Thursday, June 07, 2012

Loving Your Neighbor: Making a Friend- podcast

You choose who your neighbor is going to be. Make a friend...First in the series on "Loving Your Neighbor."

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Abide: Living How We are Wired- podcast

From John 15, we see how we are wired to live according tho God's ways, and the Holy Spirit makes it possible.

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Faith 5: Prayer- podcast

Listen to Kjell Austad preach on Faith 5: Prayer as part of our Faith 5 series.

Character is Non-Negotiable- Podcast

Looking at the topic of "character." Thanks to the Wayfarer guys for your session in "Elemental" for background.

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Faith Five:Blessing- podcast

The last of a series on faith practices. Blessing is how God transforms us to be an influence on the transformation of others.

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Faith Five:Read- Easter podcast!

"Faith comes through hearing." Well, "Christ is risen!" sounds pretty good to me.
Blessed Easter!!

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Faith Five:Share- podcast

Sharing life together connects us at all levels when we listen...What does God say about this?

Thursday, April 05, 2012

The Temptation of Affirmation- podcast

A three week series based on "Live Fast," by Wayfarers ministry. Satan
uses three types of temptation on Jesus. Not any different for us.
This week we look at the final temptation, the desire for "Affirmation."

Friday, March 23, 2012

The Temptation of Ambition- podcast

A three week series based on "Live Fast," by Wayfarers ministry. Satan
uses three types of temptation on Jesus. Not any different for us.
This week we look at the subtle competitions in our lives. "Ambition."

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

The Temptation of Appetite- podcast

A three week series based on "Live Fast," by Wayfarers ministry. Satan uses three types of temptation on Jesus. Not any different for us. This week we look at the physical, "Appetite."

Thursday, March 08, 2012

"Stretch Marks"...podcast

Sermon Jan 29 2012 by Pastor Dana Listen on Posterous

When you follow Jesus and open yourself to His leading, He will certainly stretch you and take you to places you never thought you would go.

Wednesday, March 07, 2012

Living In Unity Is Possible...podcast

Sermon Jan 22 2012 by Pastor Dana Listen on Posterous

Acts 14:1-4 inspires a message of hope on Martin Luther King Jr. weekend.

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Everyone Has a Story....podcast

Sermon January 15 2012 by Pastor Dana Listen on Posterous

For some, we can't remember when we didn't know Jesus. For others, He 
rescued us out of the middle of our brokenness. The story continues...

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Living in Unity is Possible...podcast

Sermon Jan 22 2012 by Pastor Dana Listen on Posterous

Acts 14:1-4 gives a message of hope on this Martin Luther King Jr. weekend.

Friday, January 27, 2012

Instead of Changing the Baby, The Baby Changes You!- podcast

The painting, "Saint Joseph and the Infant Christ," by Baciccio, tells a story of transformation available for all.

Sermon January 8 2012 by Pastor Dana Listen on Posterous

Saint_joseph_and_the_infant_je

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Can a Happy New Year Be Happy?- podcast

Sermon January 01 2012 by Pastor Dana Listen on Posterous

A practical New Year sermon on how happiness is biblical and possible!

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Christmas is God's Story- podcast

Sermon December 25 2011 - Christmas Day.mp3 Listen on Posterous

Christmas Day sermon

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

The Greatest Light in The Universe- Christmas Eve podcast

Sermon Dec 24 2011 - Late Service (1).mp3 Listen on Posterous

The light of Jesus shining through you is unstoppable!

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

A Battle on The Golf Course?

We show up at the first tee, getting ready to spend a great day together. I am playing golf with David and our friend, Kevin. We are walking the course, rather than taking carts, when there we are on the first tee and a guy comes rolling up in a cart. 

For non-golfers, if you don't have four people in your group, they will add more people. You end up playing with strangers quite frequently. It's usually great for an extrovert like myself. Well, it's an older gentleman, we'll call him, "James." He introduces himself to me and then walks up to the boys at the tee.

"Hi, I'm James. I'm 88 years old and this is the first f-ing year I have to take one of these f-ing carts."

I'm thinking, "Whoa, hold on there, gramps, we don't need the "F" bombs dropping because you, somehow, think this is necessary to connect to these young men." 

Instead, I take David aside, and say, "I'll find an opportunity very quickly to nip that talk in the bud." 

Then, David tees off, and doesn't hit it that well. 

"Son, let me tell you something my teacher, Ben Hogan, taught me. Watch the club hit the ball."

Here we go. Now, one of the sacred rules of golf is you don't give advise unless you are asked, in particular if you are a stranger. Then dropping the "Ben Hogan" line, one of the most famous golfers and teachers of the game, ever, well kind of a bragging thing for James to offer right off the bat, but at least intriguing. And James could hit the ball, well. Amazing, really for his age.I think I'm gonna get the chance to at least ask him something about Hogan during the next 4 hours, and maybe ask him for a few pointers.

David and I are walking down the fairway now, and he looks at me with this "who the heck is this guy look" and I say,

"David, think about it. Your 88 years old, you're still a really good golfer, and you show up in the middle of the morning to play alone. This dude must have burnt a lot of bridges over the years. We probably haven't seen anything, yet." 

I didn't realize how quickly that prediction will come true. On the third hole, after we had putted out, James jumps in his cart and says, "O.K. fellows, I 'll see you later," and that was it.

I looked at the guys and said, "Huh?" It's not as if we were playing bad; actually we were playing pretty good.

Then, Kevin tells us why James might have left.

It seems James and Kevin were having their own conversation as they were coming down the fairway. James asked Kevin how old he was. Kevin told him he was 21. Then Kevin tells us, James says this:

"When I was your age I was haivng a good time on Omaha Beach."

Kevin says, " O ya, is it a nice place?"

(Now, let's pause here.  "Omaha Beach" doesn't necessarily register with younger folks, especially if they haven't had a history class for awhile. For me and those older than me, of course, we would instantly know what James meant.)

James says in a huff, "No, it wasn't a nice place. If it hadn't been for guys like me, you wouldn't be here enjoying your freedom right now."

Kevin doesn't know what to say to this. So he replies.

"Look, I'm just here to have fun and play some golf."

After hearing this story from Kevin, David and I goofed on him, for a little while. After all, I know pretty much all there is to know about D-Day and the Normany Invasion. Actually, as a child, it was a little confusing, because I thought "D-Day" was short for "Dana Day." You see, my birthday is, you guessed it, June 6th!

For David the situation is also a "no-brainer." He went through four years of NJROTC, and is actually excellent at military history. But, we weren't too hard on Kevin.

Here is what I know. First of all, James probably set Kevin up with the whole "Omaha Beach" thing. Why did he have to bring this up, out of the blue? Might have been similar to dropping the "Ben Hogan" line. To tell you the truth, many veterans I have known over the years don't want to talk at all about their service. Especially, the battles and bloodshed. If one does speak of this, that's fine, but be gracious enough to cut the kid a little slack.

Come to think of it, Kevin's dad, my good friend, Ray, served in Vietnam, and my hunch is he didn't get the same type of response as Joe did when he came home. I'm just saying...

Kevin handled the situation admirably, as he could have responded in a lot of different ways. So, let me do the same.

James, whoever you are, and wherever you are, I am going to cast this situation in the best of light and assume, you simply were in more of a hurry than us and didn't want to wait for three walkers to play the round with you, as you had a cart. If you jumped ahead of us because you were perturbed, however, well, that has way more to do with you, than anything else. God bless you, my friend. 

 

 

 

Thursday, January 05, 2012

Angel Calling- podcast

Sermon Dec 18 2011.mp3 Listen on Posterous

Mary receives a visit and a calling...

Tuesday, January 03, 2012

Line Cutter

P26

David and I spent the day at the Rose Bowl yesterday. Spur of the moment decision. Figured it's time the boys experienced a Badger game live. Greg had to work, so David and I went by ourselves.

Here's how it works for a Meyers Briggs NP. Decide to go to the game at 1:15. Game starts at 2. Called Kristina at her home in Burbank and asked her to drop us off. No $40 parking. Jumped in the car and drove to Burbank.

"David, you drive while I surf Stubhub." It's 1:45 and two seats on Wisconsin side by the end zone are going for half price. 200 tickets left, so hit buy. Got 'em.

Arrive at Sean and Kris's, 1:50. Hit Pasadena at 2. Jump on shuttle, see on ESPN app- Wisconsin scores!

Make it to the front gate, find StubHub will call, and we are in our seats by 9 minutes in the 1st quarter. Won't say much about the game (we lost), but at least David got to experience his first Badger Rose Bowl (my 3rd Wis. RB live). We got to "jump around" after the 3rd quarter. Badger fans know what I am talking about. Actually, I jumped up and down with my feet firmly planted.

"Dad, don't jump, you'll fall!"

Got to listen to your kid, once in awhile.

Well, games over and we get into line to take the shuttle bus. About 40 minute wait, and then back to Old Town where Kristina picks us up curbside.

A great day with my boy...Not every boy had that experience.

Some people cut into our "cattle line," as we are waiting for the bus. Shouts of "Line cutters!" filled the air. The worst "cutter" is a dad, with two young boys. People are screaming at the guy, he's cussing back, and David and I are the audience of this debacle in fatherhood.

The two sons have their eyes down in shame. One of them, at one point, actually tries to get dad to leave line. Dad's face is beet red, and he's not moving.

David turns to me and says, "There's a man unhappy with his life."

Yep, but not as unhappy as those two boys who have this moral giant guiding them. Hopefully, this will go down as a "not gonna be like my dad in that category" moment for the sons.

One can only hope...

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Is Marriage on the Way Out? Not With Our Baby Girl!

Sean_kristina_dad

Here we go again. Another report of the decline of marriage. Only 51 percent of Americans adults 18 or older are married. This is different than the 72% in 1960. A sharp decline, but is that the whole picture? Let's see.

70% of adults are married now or have been at some time. 
86% of single adults say they want to be married someday.

What about daughters, age 22?

Well, one left the 86% who want to be married someday. Kristina was married Saturday to Sean Herman. A great guy and at least she gets to keep her last initial the same. 

Congratulations to Sean and Kristina with all our love...
Dad

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

God is for Everyone!- podcast

The "third Pentecost" as the Gentiles receive the Holy Spirit. A sermon based on Acts 10:9-48.

God_is_for_Everyone-_podcast.m4a Listen on Posterous

He Knows Your Name- Podcast

God is not far from those who seek him. A sermon based on Acts 10:1-8.

Thursday, November 10, 2011

You Shall Not Pass!!

Despicable. 

Oh, we watch skinned knees and broken hearts from a bit of distance. It hurts us to the core to see our precious sons and daughters suffer, but we realize there are times it is part of growing in character and confidence that we allow them to stretch in their lives and relationships. But, when it comes to our children's souls, the core of who they are, a father protects his sons and daughters from all evil. Whatever threatens their very souls, the core of who they are, a loving father stands like Gandolf, and cries out,

"You shall not pass!"

This is not just the role of dad.

Any man worth his Y chromosomes is going to be father protector in the extened family.

Older brother.

Grandpa.

Uncle.

And any man who is given the privilege of spending time in a father's role in someone else's son's or daughter's life, the echo against evil remains.

"You shall not pass!"

Friend.

Babysitter.

Teacher.

COACH...

 

"Deliver us from evil."

Any man worth being called a man, answers to the call:

"Deliverer!"

Evil? Horror?

"You shall not pass!"

My fingers are burning right now. I don't want to short out your screens while you are reading this, so I will finish.

Fathers...Protectors...

Men...

These are our sons and daughters...

 

evil one...

and those who would follow your vile touch on their own lives...

...In the name of God,

YOU SHALL NOT PASS!!

Practical Actions on Living the Life- podcast

How does the model of Jesus inform my actions?

Confirmation Sunday 2011

Live_the_Life.m4a Listen on Posterous

Friday, November 04, 2011

Where's Dad??

Sharing your faith with your son is not complicated. It doesn't take huge quantities of time. Sharing your faith with your son is about frequency and consistency. 

Even before we begin with the process, however, we need to understand a huge error in thinking for many fathers, that is based on the poor teaching and modeling they received, in particular in American culture. It's kind of like our dirty little secret. Here is the formula.

Spiritual= Women

Let me be more specific and say fathers in American society who identify as "Christian," fall into this trap all the time. These dads (you, who are reading this right now, may be one of them ) pray, pray at meals, acknowledge faith in Jesus, may participate in some faith practices at home, and may occasionally attend church activities. Yet, even among these dads, nurturing the faith of their children is considered mom's responsibility. 

If there are any faith practices in the home they are almost always initiated and led my mom. Bedtime prayers- mom-led. On the rare occasion that children are brought to church activities (4% of people in their 20's/ 15% of people in their 30's are regularly connected to faith communities, today in America), they are most often brought by their mothers alone. 

If you are an active part of a Christian community you have seen "spiritual widows"- women who are active in a church community without their husbands, carrying out their faith nurturing role alone. On the one hand, you admire their efforts, on the other, you ask yourself, "Where's dad?"

Wednesday, November 02, 2011

Getting Ready to Change the World- podcast

Paul's preparation.m4a Listen on Posterous

Paul is one of the greatest figures in world history whose influence transformed the globe. How did he begin the process? A sermon based on Acts 9.

Blog Archive

About Me

My photo
Pastor from LIFEhouse Church in Northridge CA, focusing on the theme, "How To Be A Christian Without Being A Jerk."