This is post #5 in the Christmas devotional “Christmas Joy.” And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby keeping watch over their flocks at night. – Luke 2:8 It may seem like a stretch of the imagination, but try it anyway: If you were God, and could announce the arrival of the savior […]
This is post #4 in the Christmas devotional “Christmas Joy.” God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored!
An angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said: “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” – Luke 2:13-14
This is the first post in the devotional “Christmas Joy.” But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord.” – Luke 2:10-11
In America this week we celebrate Thanksgiving Day. I have always treasured this holiday because its intention is so clear and so right. It is not so cluttered with commercialism and busyness. It recalls the harvest of fields, and invites us to look for a harvest of God’s goodness in our own lives.
A Prayer for Thanksgiving Read More »
Hundreds of millions of people will be preparing for Christmas in the days to come. But how will we prepare our hearts and minds? Thought for today: The Christmas carol “O Little Town of Bethlehem” mentions “the hopes and fears of all the years.” The coming (“advent”) of Jesus strengthens our hope and gives us
“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away.” Revelation 21:1 The popular conception of heaven is something I don’t want to have anything to do with. Close your eyes. Picture heaven. What do you see, or not see? Are the images based
New Heaven and New Earth Read More »
Elmbrook Church is pleased to host 18 Christian leaders from 12 different countries for the 2013 session of the Elmbrook International Center.
International Center Open Forum Read More »
Elmbrook Church is pleased to have Os Guinness speak in all worship services for the opening of Harvest Fest 2013 the weekend of Oct. 26 & 27. He will also speak Monday evening, October 28 at 7PM.
Os Guinness at Elmbrook Read More »
What is the difference between “speaking out” and merely complaining? (from Mel Lawrenz’s sermon, “Called to Speak Out” – online Monday evening, Sept. 30). • Am I just venting feelings?
This weekend Pastor Mel Lawrenz continues the sermon series “Called – Reimagining Our Place in God’s Plan” at Elmbrook Church, looking at what it means to be called to a distinctive way of life. In all of the uncertainties of our lives, God remains the one called “I AM.” When we lack confidence (like Moses),
Called to Holiness Read More »
“Called Out of Hiding.” A sermon in the series “CALLED: Reimagining Our Place in God’s Plan.” Go HERE.
“Called Out of Hiding” Read More »
[originally posted Sept. 2011] I find this week’s cover of Newsweek magazine for the 10-year anniversary of 9/11chilling. It is simply a brilliant blue sky and in the upper right corner the underside of a jetliner frozen in a moment of time before calamity. People are starting to tell their 9/11 stories to each other
What is the Spiritual Meaning of 9/11? Read More »
The Brook Network is co-sponsoring a special author event featuring Matthew Jacoby whose new book Deeper Places: Experiencing God in the Psalms, has just been released by Baker Books. Dr. Matthew Jacoby is the teaching pastor