Faith Reflections

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.

Text: Colossians 1:15-23 / Date: 10-9-2022 / Location: Faith Christian Reformed Church (New Brighton, MN) Paul calls the Colossian Christians away from the mixing and matching of local religious practices to giving Jesus his rightful supremacy in their lives.  He is all in on Jesus and making him known and calls us to do the same.

Text: Acts 2:42-47 / Date: 9-4-2022 / Location: Faith Christian Reformed Church (New Brighton, MN) Exploring the importance of community and shared stories as we grown in our faith.  Celebrating, wondering, and remembering together.

Text: Isaiah 55 / Date: 8-28-2022 / Location: Faith Christian Reformed Church (New Brighton, MN) Listening for God's voice through the noise in our world.  The importance of seeking him through the habits of Bible reading and prayer.

Text: Jeremiah 29:4-14 / Date: 8-21-2022 / Location: Faith Christian Reformed Church (New Brighton, MN) Answering the call to seek the peace and prosperity of those suffering in the places we live by aligning ourselves with God's call to serve the vulnerable.

Text: Matthew 25:31-46 / Date: 8-14-2022 / Location: Faith Christian Reformed Church (New Brighton, MN) Exploring hospitality in and outside of our church.  How do we love each other and our neighbors well turning strangers into friends? Message three of six looking at Faith Practices, "holy habits that help us love God and our neighbor, listen to the Spirit, and become more like Jesus".

Text: Deuteronomy 5:12-15 and Luke 6:1-11 / Date: 8-7-2022 / Location: Faith Christian Reformed Church (New Brighton, MN) How do we observe the Sabbath day and keep it holy?  Is the proper practice a list of "dos and don'ts"?  In the busyness of our daily lives how do we make time to rest?   Message two of six looking at Faith Practices, "holy habits that help us love God and our ne...

Text: I Thessalonians 5:11-19 / Date: 7-3-2022 / Location: Faith Christian Reformed Church (New Brighton, MN) An exploration of gratitude, service, and generosity.  How does gratitude work in our lives to increase happiness and prompt us toward generosity and a willingness to serve?   Message one of six looking at Faith Practices, "holy habits that help us love God and our neighbor, list...

Date: 6-5-2022 / Location: St. John the Baptist Catholic Church (New Brighton, MN) Committing to who you want to be no matter what God calls you to be.  Questions to ask as you move into a new stage in your life and the opportunity we have to reflect God's light into the dark places in our world.

Date: 4-9-2022 / Location: Faith Christian Reformed Church (New Brighton, MN) One session from a wider workshop on "Enlivening the Dry and Weary Heart of Our Churches".  This segment focuses on the youth of our church and their faith formation.  Framed around basic questions of identity, belonging, and purpose.

Text: Mark 8:31-38 / Date: 3-27-2022 / Location: Faith Christian Reformed Church (New Brighton, MN) The good news that springs from bad news.  Understanding God's plan for us.

Text: Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 21 (additional verses from Hebrews) / Date: 2-6-2022 / Location: Trinity Hill Church (Chanhassen, MN) What is faith?  Is it belief?  Trust?  Is it rooted in fact or fantasy?  What kind of response does faith require of us?