Rev. Zach

Psalm 148:1-14       1 Corinthians 13:8-13        Revelation 13:1-10, 14:1-5 Well, that just got weird. Hearing these bizarre and fantastic visions it is hard to imagine them as real, and yet it seems equally as hard for some of us to try to understand them in any other way. Repeatedly throughout Western history these visions have influenced literature and art as we have attempted to wrestle with these powerful images. Yet we truly do not know if these writings were coded messages, or an actual dream, or even the result of some medicinal herb, mushroom or flower! And even though Martin Luther only agreed to include John’s Revelation in the Bible as a tool to critique the Roman Catholic Church – and John Calvin didn’t even include it in his commentaries – the church has kept these writings in the canon of scripture for centuries. So, I maintain the position that the Revelation of John at Patmos was an expression of faith in Jesus as God’s self-r...

This sermon was delivered by Leigh Rachal on July 21. Based on Mark 4:35-41 . Life is not fair…. Ever heard that before? This phrase was told to me by various adults throughout my childhood. “But Jenny’s mom is letting her go to the party. It’s not fair that my friends get to go and I have to stay home….”  “Sorry. Life isn’t fair. Get used to it.” My mom didn’t tolerate whining. So I learned to stop whining out loud. But I’ve never truly stopped whining. Because I still find myself whining (silently) to God…. And usually, my whine is: But, It isn’t fair…. For example: Sometimes I whine to God when I hear the news of the day…. “God, it isn’t fair that people were shot and killed while they were faithfully attending a church gathering….” “God, it isn’t fair that people in some places in YOUR world can not walk down their neighborhood streets without worrying about bombs or guns.” And almost daily I whine to God while I’m at work… “God it isn’t fair that some ...