Justice Delayed...

The trial for the two men accused of killing Donald Dietz (my dad's neighbor) is finally beginning; the murder occured in Sept. of 2007; it has been almost four years...I know that the wheels of justice grind slowly, but this is fairly pathetic...it reminds me that we often have to wait until our lives here are over to know the justice of God that is missing in our lives.  It would be so much easier, we think, if God was sitting at his computer, hitting the "smite" key anytime somebody stepped out of line (ok, I stole that idea from a classic Far Side comic); at least then we'd know that justice does indeed prevail...It would be more satisfying perhaps, but would it be better?  Why does God wait so long?  II Peter 3:9 reminds us that, "He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."  We may want God to avenge us now, to put the bullies and the jerks in this world in their place.  God's reply to us: "my child, I waited for you to repent, why shouldn't I do the same for my other children?"  I guess God really does know what he is doing...as for Donald and his family, hopefully they will at least receive the small comfort of knowing that human justice does eventually come about from time to time.

Sermon Video: John 8:31-36 "the truth will set you free"

"you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free"
Are we really free, or are even Americans slaves? Jesus said that anyone who sins is a slave to sin. He also offered us all freedom is we choose to believe in and follow him. There is Hope, you can be free!
 
Click on the link below to watch the sermon:
Part One - Sermon Video - John 8:31-36
Part Two - Sermon Video - John 8:31-36

Who is the slave and who is free?

After preaching John 8:31-36 this week, I returned to the classroom to teach today with that thought in mind.  Who really is the slave here and who is free?  Jesus did promise us that the Truth would set us free from the chains of our bondage to sin, but are those chains evident?  Are those who don't have a relationship with God really as lost and hopeless as the Gospel says?...I've been teaching alternative education for over seven years now and I've had some wonderful students over the years.  Sadly, though, the vast majority of my students are so totally enthralled to their own desires that they have virtually no compassion or concern for others.  On top of that, the use of drugs and excessive drinking are for many a daily habit.  Their lives are so desperate and without hope that they need to escape from them every day! 
Who is the slave and who is free?  Am I a slave because I choose to abstain from drugs and alcohol?  Am I a slave because I choose to remain commited to only my wife and no other?  Am I missing out on all of the fun?  No, I'm not.  God didn't give us his commandments in order to ruin our fun, God gave us the Law so that we might see what holiness looks like.  God wants us to be like him because his existence is perfect. 
In the end, we all must choose.  Choose to live our lives for others, to dedicate ourselves to a hope and a calling beyond our own selfish ambitions.  Or, we can choose to live only for ourselves, we can choose to waste our lives on hollow pursuits that will never satisfy.
"if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." - John 8:36

Sermon Video: James 1:9-11, "the value of being rich"

This sermon is from James 1:9-11 and deals with the temporary nature of wealth along with the hidden value of being poor.
to watch the appx. 20 minute sermon, click on the link below
Sermon video: James 1:9-11

For those of you new to my blog...

I suppose there may be some people who view my blog who don't know who I am, for that a trip to the bio. page will suffice, but there may also be some who don't know that I have bunch of documents (a few essays, a play, some sermon videos, and one book) that I've written that are available to read/download/print to anyone who wants to utilize them. I wrote them for a variety of reasons, but if they can be any help to you at all in your personal spiritual walk or answer any of your questions, I'm glad to share my thoughts...The book is entitled, "Christianity's Big Tent" and focuses on the question of who is, and who is not, a Christian. How do we know the difference? What makes a church a Christian church? What's really important about the Gospel message of Jesus Christ, and what isn't crucial? These questions are addressed using the first letter of the Apostle John as the backdrop. Please feel free to direct anyone to the link who has questions about Ecumenism (the issue of churches getting along and cooperating), and don't hesitate to e-mail me with any questions at pastorpowell@hotmail.com.

Christianity's Big Tent

Christianity's Big Tent: Works Cited