Rev. Zach

Amos 5:21-24 This is the third Sunday in a series about the expectation that Living Waters will flow from the hearts of those who believe in Christ. I’ve offered this series as a way to connect our exploration of God’s word with that of children and youth from across our Presbytery – which includes Presbyterian followers of Jesus from all over southern Louisiana – who will be at Camp Agape at the Feliciana Retreat and Conference Center next week. I will be offering spiritual direction, and thanks to the generosity of this congregation from previous and current offerings, I’ll be joined by one of my children and two other grandchildren of the church. Over the last two weeks, we have talked about these living waters as an indicator of the providence of God. Jesus called out to invite belief in God’s providence on the last day of the Festival of Booths, which was a harvest festival and a reminder of the way God heard the Israelites in the wilderness and commanded Moses to strike a barren ...

Isaiah 43:1; John 7:38 As Jordan mentioned before reading the New Testament passage, it is a bit of a repeat. That’s because “Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water” is the theme for Camp Agape this summer, and I want to share a bit of it with you. For those who do not know, I’ll be leaving after worship next Sunday to go lead worship throughout the week at camp. As the Spiritual Director, I choose the scriptures, set the theme, write the Bible studies for 6-12th graders, and lead morning and evening worship services. It’s a lot to do, but I love it! I love it because I get to be a part of the spiritual growth of children and youth from across our Presbytery, and I get to work with some of the most creative and passionate volunteers and staff that I’ve ever known! Sometimes I’m not sure who grows in faith more from it, them or me! Usually, I wait until I get back to share themes from camp with you, but this year I thought it might be good to work some of these id...

Psalm 1:1-6; John 7:10-18, and 37-39 Tomorrow is a day of reverence, mourning, and celebration in our nation. It is Memorial Day. While I do not normally entertain national holidays in worship, I recently learned something about the origins of this holiday that I think bears repeating in light of our scriptures today. Before getting into that I want to lift up John 7:18. “Those who speak on their own seek their own glory, but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and there is nothing false in him.” I want you to know that is my hope every Sunday. In fact, it goes to the heart of who we are and what motivates us as followers of Jesus every day. If we are wise, then we will ask ourselves constantly, “Who does this glorify?” Now, back to Memorial Day. I’ve learned that there are multiple cities that claim to be the place that started the tradition of honoring fallen soldiers and that it dates back to the period just after the Civil War. One of the most publicly witnesse...