Faith Reflections

Text: Luke 11:5-8 / Date: 2-25-2024 / Location: Trinity Hill (Chanhassen, MN) The parable "A Friend Comes at Midnight" provides insights into the culture Jesus was speaking into and our call to be shameless in praying to God.

Text: 2 Samuel 12:1-15 / Date: 1-28-2024 / Location: Pease Christian Reformed Church (Pease, MN) Nathan confronts David with his sin through a story of an abuse of power. In repentance David finds grace amid the consequences of his actions.

Text: 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 / Date: 1-21-2024 / Location: Faith Christian Reformed Church (New Brighton, MN) Part Three of a series on building relationships and sharing our faith. A focus on Paul's willingness to meet people where they were and encouragement to love our neighbors through sharing life with them.

Text: 2 Timothy 1:7 / Date: 1-14-2024 / Location: Faith Christian Reformed Church (New Brighton, MN) Part Two of a series on building relationships and sharing our faith. Encouragement to take confidence in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Text: I Peter 3:15, Ephesians 2:10 / Date: 1-7-2024 / Location: Faith Christian Reformed Church (New Brighton, MN) Part One of a series on building relationships and sharing our faith. How is God preparing you and preparing moments for you to tell your story and his story?

Text: Exodus 19:3-8, 20:1-17, Deuteronomy 7:6-13 / Date: 12-17-2023 / Location: Faith Christian Reformed Church (New Brighton, MN) In a series on Old Testament covenants, God rescues his people from slavery in Egypt through the leadership of Moses. Grace and deliverance precede the covenant at Mount Sinai. God chooses his people in love and remains faithful to his promises.

Text: Psalm 103:17-19 / Date: 11-19-2023 / Location: Faith Christian Reformed Church (New Brighton, MN) An introductory message to a series on God's promises to his people highlighting redemptive safeguards in the Old Testament family structure and some similiarities between sacred covenants and secular treaties.

Text: Matthew 9:1-8 / Date: 11-12-2023 / Location: Faith Christian Reformed Church (New Brighton, MN) In faith, a paralyzed man is brought to Jesus by his friends. He is healed physically and received more than the restoration of his body.

Text: Psalm 139 / Date: 10-22-2023 / Location: Faith Christian Reformed Church (New Brighton, MN) The Psalms are emotional expressions of highs and lows. Psalm 139 tells us that we are fully known by God and surrounded by his presence and Spirit wherever we go.

Text: Luke 15 / Date: 9-24-2023 / Location: Calvary Christian Reformed Church (Edina, MN) The three parables of Luke 15 show us the search and celebration in finding what's been lost. Will we intentionally seek the lost and valued souls that need to be redeemed to God's family?

Text: Matthew 6:25-30 / Date: 7-30-2023 / Location: Faith Christian Reformed Church (New Brighton, MN) Part of a seven message series for the Twin Cities SERVE event under the theme of "What Do You Want?". The week explored what we really want, worth, freedom, hope, love and acceptance, signficance, and making a difference.

Text: Luke 7:26-50 and Matthew 18:21-35 / Date: 7-2-2023 / Location: Faith Christian Reformed Church (New Brighton, MN) From a series of messages on the parables. We look again at grace. Do our actions suggest that we understand our need for grace and that we recognize the gravity of God's forgiveness?

Text: Matthew 20:1-16, Luke 18:9-14 / Date: 6-25-2023 / Location: Faith Christian Reformed Church (New Brighton, MN) From a series of messages on the parables. Are we generous or greedy when it comes to grace? Through the parables of "The Workers in the Vineyard" and "The Pharisee and the Tax Collector" we consider our posture before God and our response to grace.

Text: Matthew 25:14-30 / Date: 5-14-2023 / Location: Faith Christian Reformed Church (New Brighton, MN) From a series of messages on the parables. The master has entrusted us with an invaluable gift. Are we acting with good stewardship? What are we doing with the treasure we've been given?

Text: Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 / Date: 5-7-2023 / Location: Faith Christian Reformed Church (New Brighton, MN) From a series of messages on the parables. Jesus speaks to the final judgment and separation of those who follow him and those who don't. If we are secure in his future promises to us, how do we watch for weeds in our lives and our churches while reaching out to those without the assur...

Text: Matthew 7:24-29 and Luke 12:13-21 / Date: 4-23-2023 / Location: Faith Christian Reformed Church (New Brighton, MN) From a series of messages on the parables. Jesus uses little stories to teach big lessons through which we see his kingdom. In the parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders we examine the strength of the foundation we are building our lives on. Through the parable of the Rich Foo...

Text: John 20 / Date: 4-9-2023 / Location: Faith Christian Reformed Church (New Brighton, MN) Part of our Lenten Series "On the Way to the Cross".  On Easter Sunday, a reminder that we are all called to be witnesses to the resurrection. How often do we testify to the things we love, and where does our faith rank on that list?

Text: Matthew 26:31-35 and Luke 22:54-62 / Date: 3-12-2023 / Location: Faith Christian Reformed Church (New Brighton, MN) Part of our Lenten Series "On the Way to the Cross".  To experience the fullness of grace we must first recognize our sin and the ways, like Peter, we deny Jesus in our lives.

Text: Ruth 3:10-4:22 / Date: 2-19-2023 / Location: Faith Christian Reformed Church (New Brighton, MN) Part three of three looking at the story of Ruth.  The redemptive story reaches it's climax for Naomi, Ruth, Boaz, and all of God's people.  How do we respond to The Story of Ruth?

Text: Ruth 2:1-3:9 / Date: 2-12-2023 / Location: Faith Christian Reformed Church (New Brighton, MN) Part two of three looking at the story of Ruth.  Hope for Ruth and Naomi presents itself in a generous landowner uniquely positioned to fill their physical emptiness and redeem the family line.

Text: Ruth 1 / Date: 1-29-2023 / Location: Faith Christian Reformed Church (New Brighton, MN) Part one of three looking at the story of Ruth.  Naomi returns to Bethlehem empty having lost her husband and sons during the famine.  Will Ruth's loyalty lead to hope and redemption?

Text: Ephesians 2:1-10 / Date: 1-1-2023 / Location: Faith Christian Reformed Church (New Brighton, MN) We enter the New Year considering our identity and purpose amid competing voices and labels.  Who are we?  What are we called to do?

Text: Matthew 2:1-18 / Date: 12-11-2022 / Location: Faith Christian Reformed Church (New Brighton, MN) Part of an advent series exploring the supporting characters of the Christmas story.  What can we learn from Herod and his resistance to recognizing Jesus as king in a fight to preserve his own power?

Text: Matthew 1:18-25 / Date: 11-27-2022 / Location: Faith Christian Reformed Church (New Brighton, MN) Part of an advent series exploring the supporting characters of the Christmas story.  What can we learn from Joseph and what God does in and through the earthly father of Jesus?

Text: Psalm 25:4-10 / Date: 10-23-2022 / Location: Grace Christian Reformed Church (Inver Grove Heights, MN) Seeking direction in our decision making as we pursue God's will for our lives.