Author: Ginger Hertenstein Conley
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March 22, 2009 – God’s Idea of True Greatness
Our culture proclaims quite clearly what it considers to be a success. Just google “how to be successful” or pick up a magazine and you will see. The media is filled with “success” stories, and advice on how to succeed. Cultural values about success bleed into the Christian culture as well. Are our cultural values…
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March 15, 2009 – Who Is This Jesus?
Testimonials are commonplace. Courtroom lawyers call on expert witnesses. Tabloids and magazines are full of testimonials. Friends pass along their experiences. Who do you listen to? Whose witness do you believe? A man, declared dead from an auto crash, went to heaven. After surviving, he writes a testimony about it. A woman dying of cancer…
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March 1, 2009 – Calling All Who Are Hungry
Lent began this week, signified by our Ash Wednesday Service. Together we committed to setting aside time each day to read our One Year Bible passages and pray. These commitments allow us to experience the profound blessing of drawing near to God. As we spend time reading about Jesus and talking to Him, we’ll find…
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February 22, 2009 – Jesus’ Faith During Our Storms
What is your most harrowing experience? For the disciples it was probably the night at sea when a terrible storm came up, and their boat was certain to be capsized, except Jesus intervened and at His command, the water became smooth as glass. Funny thing was, seeing Jesus’ power over creation scared them even more…
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February 15, 2009 – The Dragon of Doubt
Do you ever read fairy tales? Years ago people told stories to help process life’s difficulties, stories of dragons and knights and fair maidens. We’ll hear one of those stories, about a dragon of doubt. This week’s message is about faith and doubt. Believe it or not, faith and doubt go together. John the Baptist…
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February 8, 2009 Sermon – What a Witness: Love, Bless, Pray
The past few weeks we have followed Jesus from town to town, observing as He healed people, cast out demons, and forgave sins. But Jesus was not just a “faith healer.” He had something to say. This week we’ll listen in on one of His sermons. Jesus speaks loving words of instruction for those who…
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February 1, 2009 Sermon – The ABCs of Faithfulness
People quickly learn about Jesus’ healing power and they flocked to him. He teaches them and so many crowd around that when a man’s friends bring him in, they can’t get near. The man’s situation is desperate; he is paralyzed. Then as now, the prospect of recovery was slim. But his friends were not to…
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January 25, 2009 – The Power of Good News
Do you ever see advertisements that seem too good to be true? What if you heard, “I’ve got good news for the poor. There’s comfort for the brokenhearted. Captives are released and prisoners freed. If you mourn, now is the time of the LORD’s favor. God will shatter your enemies, giving you a crown of…
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January 18, 2009 – Have I Got A Deal for You
Times were good. Throngs of Israelites went out to the Jordan River to be baptized by John the Baptist. Expectations were high that the Messiah was coming. Then Jesus himself was baptized and his ministry began. The first three chapters of Luke contain many prophecies about Him – a child is born who will save…
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January 11, 2009 – Recognizing God’s Call
John the Baptist was a real person who lived at a particular time in a particular place. He was Elizabeth and Zechariah’s son. He grew up and became a preacher, just as the Old Testament prophet Isaiah predicted. His message from God was, “Repent! Be baptized! Receive forgiveness for sins. Flee the coming wrath.” What…