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top3 for May 10, 2019

Todd Nelson

#1 – In other words, teaching that is not embodied by the teacher and experienced within the relational community is at risk of being nothing but empty words. Christina Walker Many people think that writing a sermon is one of the most difficult things I do each week.  While I do admit that it is never, or rarely, easy I will say that the above quote is the real difficulty.  Giving a message is not the objective…being the message…now that is the hard part! #2 -So between the death of Christ and the Last Day it is only by a … Continue reading top3 for May 10, 2019

Best Practices and How To SeriesLeave a comment

The After Season

Todd Nelson

The period immediately after Christmas or Easter is often a low time for me emotionally and spiritually.  I know that is odd to say. Shouldn’t these major high and holy days take me to a new peak? In one way they do but only after a season of rest.  Just like your physical fitness level increases after we workout and then rest appropriately, so does our spiritual life.  For me, part of it is the natural let down that takes place after so much time and energy is expended. You can’t expect to maintain high intensity for too long.  The … Continue reading The After Season

Lent 2019Leave a comment

Holy Saturday Devotion – April 20, 2019

Todd Nelson

John 19:38–42 (NRSV) 38 After these things, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, though a secret one because of his fear of the Jews, asked Pilate to let him take away the body of Jesus. Pilate gave him permission; so he came and removed his body. 39 Nicodemus, who had at first come to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, weighing about a hundred pounds. 40 They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices in linen cloths, according to the burial custom of the Jews. 41 Now … Continue reading Holy Saturday Devotion – April 20, 2019

Lent 2019Leave a comment

Maundy Thursday Devotion – April 18, 2019

Todd Nelson

John 13:1–20 (NRSV) 13 Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2 The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. And during supper 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, 4 got up from the table, took off his outer … Continue reading Maundy Thursday Devotion – April 18, 2019