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Finding Renewal Through Stories: Lessons from Dragons and Scripture

Stories change how we see the world. A good movie can shift our perspective, revealing possibilities we never imagined. In “How to Train Your Dragon,” a young Viking named Hiccup discovers everything his village believed about dragons was wrong. These weren’t mindless monsters but intelligent creatures capable of friendship and loyalty. The film resonates because […]

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Reflections on the 2020(4) United Methodist General Conference: A Presentation for Local Churches

I recently had the opportunity to serve as a reserve delegate from the Great Plains Annual Conference at the 2020(4) United Methodist General Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina. This historic gathering brought together delegates from around the world to make important decisions that will impact the future of our church. When I returned, a Sunday […]

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sermon worship

2024-04-21 Living the Faith – The Thessalonians Example Sermon

Last night, Nicole, our kids John and Anne, and I had the incredible opportunity to see the transformative power of storytelling and music at the opening night of Godspell at Music Theater Heritage in Kansas City. Godspell is a beloved musical that brings the gospel to life through a series of parables and lessons from […]

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ministry sermon worship

2024-03-10 The Journey to the Resurrection – The Heart of the Matter Sermon

As we gather for worship today, most of us probably have one less hour of sleep than we’re used to, thanks to Daylight Saving Time. It’s a little curious. We change our clocks, hoping to capture more daylight to maximize our time. This act of shifting time forward is a powerful metaphor for our journey […]

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ministry sermon worship

2024-03-03 The Journey to the Resurrection – A Parable for Today Sermon

Today, we gather as spectators and as participants in a story that stretches back centuries yet speaks directly into the here and now. We stand on the shoulders of those who walked the dusty roads of Judea with Jesus, those who wrestled with questions of authority, stewardship, and faith. As we delve into Mark 12:1-17, […]