Necessary Reminders
Sermons

Necessary Reminders

It is not uncommon in the course of most days to find myself sending one or two emails to “pastorflaa” as a way of reminder of things or tasks that need to be completed. My age may play a role here as my mind doesn’t work quite in the same manner it once did, yet...

Riches: Rotten or Redeemed?
Sermons

Riches: Rotten or Redeemed?

STOP!!! I know what you are thinking…”this will be a good Sunday to skip because pastor is going to talk about money!” But before you carry out this ‘nefarious’ plan please consider a biblical reality: Scripture speaks to money and wealth in some 2350 verses, which means that twice as many verses are devoted to...

Steps to Divine Favor – What to Embrace (James 4)
Sermons

Steps to Divine Favor – What to Embrace (James 4)

In nearly every activity and decision in our lives, at some level there exists a conscious choice about avoiding and embracing. For example, if I desire to become a better steward of my time, I will avoid hours of Facebook, internet surfing, and Netflix binging and embrace time spent developing friendships or reading a good...

Steps to Divine Favor – What to Avoid (James 4)
Sermons

Steps to Divine Favor – What to Avoid (James 4)

Get ready for another story around the fireplace, as Pastor Dave will share with you excerpts of a fascinating story called “The Mansion” from John Weightman. This story talks of a main character who perfectly highlights the two issues that James is speaking on in our sermon text this week, which is the fourth chapter...

The Proof is in the Pudding
Sermons

The Proof is in the Pudding

We have all either said or heard the phrase, “talk is cheap.” Oh, now true! I can talk all day about how hard I work, but it is completed tasks and results that will verify that statement; I can talk all day about being a great husband, but it is a conversation with my wife...

Taming the Tongue
Sermons

Taming the Tongue

  I’m not going to lie, I don’t like to have my flaws pointed out to me. If you’re like me and you don’t like it when the truth hurts, you may want to skip this message, because as we go through the Book of James, we’re going to be talking about chapter 3, verses...

The Canoe of Faith Needs Two Paddles!
Sermons

The Canoe of Faith Needs Two Paddles!

  You will likely recall my use of this personal example before, but it is one that is worthy of repetition. Early on in our marriage, I fell into the habit of continually telling my new bride how much I loved her—like 15-20 times a day! Not that those words were unappreciated, but at some...

Witness
Sermons

Witness

I remember the fall of 2003 and our family’s transition to Plymouth, MN for Seminary. On our first trip to the local Target store, I immediately noticed everyone walking around, pushing a cart with a built-in cupholder and their $4.00 Starbuck’s coffee. And my mind immediately made a judgment: “look at all these wealthy coffee...

It’s Not About the Rules
Sermons

It’s Not About the Rules

Is the word “religious” a good word or a bad word? It really all depends on how the word is being used. Pastor Dave leads us through our series on the Book of James (1:19-27) to examine the good and bad of religion and makes a case that our religious behavior is actually based on...

Certainty
Sermons

Certainty

Life is full of unknowns, but it is also full of certainty. I don’t know who will win the Super Bowl, but you can be certain I will be cheering for the Chiefs; I don’t know when Gloria and I will indulge in ice cream again, but you can be certain it will be Cold...