2004
|
Howard at 16 years of age |
From the Files: He had no money. He owned no home. He drove no car. He was not a particularly good father. He always came to church dressed in his bib overalls. Upon turning 16 it became my service to him and the church to drive him home from worship services, something I enjoyed since it gave me a little more time behind the wheel. When I would deliver Porter to the modest place that he called home, Porter would thank me for the lift, get out of the car, and then peek back in with this fatherly advice. "Keep looking up." It got so I looked forward to his encouraging word more than the thrill of driving him home. When I went back years later to the little church of my childhood to preach his funeral, I talkled about the man who encouraged me to "Keep looking up." |
Sermons
January 4, 2004
The Mystery at the Manger
Where Is He?
Matthew 2:1-12 Text Document
January 11, 2004
Reaching Out
The Calling of Our Baptism
Luke 3:21-22 Text Document 
January 18, 2004
Reaching Out
Finding Our Reason for Being
Luke 4:14-21 Text Document
January 25, 2004
Reaching Out
Come to the Party
Luke 14:15-23 Text Document
February 1, 2004
Reaching Out
Lost and Found
Luke 15:1-10 Text Document
February 8, 2004
Reaching Out
The Greatest Story Ever Told
Luke 15:11-32 Text Document
February 15, 2004
Reaching Out
When You Are Up and Out
Luke 19:1-10 Text Document
February 22, 2004
Reaching Out
News Too Good To Tell
Luke 9:28-36 Text Document
February 29, 2004
Beyond the Doors
Beyond the Door of Hospitality
John 12:1-8 Text Document
March 7, 2004
Beyond the Doors
Beyond the Door of Prayer
1 Timothy 2:1-8 Text Document
March 14, 2004
Beyond the Doors
The Door of Forgiveness
Matthew 18:15-20 Text Document
March 21, 2004
Beyond the Doors
The Door of Service
Luke 22:24-30 Text Document
March 28, 2004
Beyond the Doors
The Door of Conversation
John 4:3-15 Text Document
April 4, 2004
Beyond the Doors
The Door of Celebration
Luke 19:36-44 Text Document
April 8, 2004
Maundy Thursday
Are You Able?
Matthew 20:20-28 Text Document
April 11, 2004
Easter
Finding the Courage to Believe
John 20:19-31 Text Document
April 18, 2004
Revelation for Today
Embracing the God Who Is
Revelation 1:4-8 Text Document
April 25, 2004
Revelation for Today
Singing with the Saints of Glory
Revelation 5:11-14 Text Document
May 2, 2004
Revelation for Today
Making Sure Our Robes are Washed
Revelation 7:9-17 Text Document
May 9, 2004
Revelation for Today
Welcoming God Into Our Homes
Revelation 21:1-8 Text Document
May 23, 2004
Revelation for Today
Living on Full Alert
Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21 Text Document
May 30, 2004
The Holy Spirit and You
John 14:15-27 Text Document
June 6, 2004
It Takes a Family
The Church as Family
Matthew 12:46-50 Text Document
June 13, 2004
It Takes a Family
The Family as Church
2 Timothy 1:3-8 Text Document
June 20, 2004
It Takes a Family
They Dynamics of Being a Dad
Ephesians 6:1-4, 10-18 Text Document
June 27, 2004
It Takes a Family
The Fundamentals of Family Ties
1 Corinthians 13 Text Document
July 4, 2004
Critical Questions for American Christians
What is the Connection Between Church and State?
Mark 12:13-17 Text Document
July 11, 2004
Critical Questions for American Christians
What is the Future of Methodism?
John 2:12-22 Text Document
July 25, 2004
Critical Questions for American Christians
What is the Furture of Marriage?
Mark 12:18-27 Text Document
August 1, 2004
Critical Questions for American Christians
Can the Rich Be Saved?
Mark 10:17-27 Text Document
August 8, 2004
Marching Forward by Faith
Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16 Text Document
August 15, 2004
Rejoice! The River is Here!
Checking Out the Scene
John 1:35-42 Text Document
August 22, 2004
Rejoice! The River is Here!
Stepping into the Stream
Matthew 14:22-33 Text Document
August 29, 2004
Rejoice! The River is Here!
Diving Deeper
Luke 5:1-11 Text Document
September 5, 2004
Rejoice! The River is Here!
Riding the Rapids
Luke 8:22-25 Text Document
September 12, 2004
Rejoice! The River is Here!
Going Fishing
Matthew 4:18-22 Text Document
September 19, 2004
Thanking God at Every Turn
1 Timothy 1:12-17 Text Document
October 3, 2004
The Lord's Unanswered Prayer
John 17:20-23 Text Document
October 10, 2004
When God Builds the House
Psalms 127:1 Text Document
October 24, 2004
Empowering God's Ministries Together
The Power of a Helping Hand
Luke 10:25-37 Text Document
November 7, 2004
Empowering God's Ministries Together
The Power of a Single Life
2 Corinthians 6:3-13 Text Document
November 14, 2004
Empowering God's Ministries Together
The Power of a Wise Investment
Luke 19:11-27 Text Document
November 21, 2004
Empowering God's Ministries Together
The Power of Personal Commitment
Romans 12:1-8 Text Document
November 28, 2004
Embracing the Christ of Christmas
Watch
Matthew 24:36-44 Text Document
December 5, 2004
Embracing the Christ of Christmas
Repent
Matthew 3:1-12 Text Document
December 19, 2004
Embracing the Christ of Christmas
Believe
Matthew 1:18-25 Text Document
December 24, 2004
Embracing the Christ of Christmas
Does Christmas Make Any Difference?
Titus 2:11-14 Text Document
December 26, 2004
Embracing the Christ of Christmas
The Down Side of Christmas
Matthew 2:13-18 Text Document