January 28, 2021
by Tommy Clayton
| Tags: Bargaining, Life's Not Fair
“That’s not fair.” Those are often the first words we learn to speak in protest as children. But they don’t disappear with childhood. And they don’t disappear with conversion. We carry them right into God’s Kingdom where they hijack our joy. When our version of fairness collides with God’s grace, we hit a wall. Disappointment, sadness, and anger find us. Then...
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January 20, 2021
by Tommy Clayton
| Tags: heaven
Richard Baxter was a pastor in the 1600s. When he was 35, he suffered a severe sickness in the dead of winter that was so terrible, the doctors gave him no hope that he would survive. He began to mediate on the glories of heaven, anticipating his arrival. It consumed his thoughts. He was ready, eager even, to be with Jesus. But he survived. In fact, he lived another 4 deca...
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January 13, 2021
by Tommy Clayton
| Tags: new, heaven, Better World
It’s been a hard year. We’ve seen wildfires, hurricanes, pandemics, and human conflict at its worst. Last week wasn’t much better. Saying that Americans are sad, angry, and anxious probably sums up everyone’s attitude, regardless of your political affiliation. 2020 was a year of unending drama and disappointments. ...
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January 6, 2021
by Tommy Clayton
|
Category:
Sermon Series
When the returning exiles completed the foundation for their rebuilt temple, God did something strange. He invited them to compare their small building to the previous temple Solomon built. ...
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December 30, 2020
by Tommy Clayton
| Tags: new, Small Beginnings
Seminary was hard for me. I attended a school that challenged me mentally and stretched me theologically. It was exhausting work. But by God’s grace...
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December 24, 2020
by Tommy Clayton
|
Category:
Sermon Series | Tags: Advent, Waiting on God, Alone
Alone, afraid, angry, and waiting to die. That might describe a nursing home resident with Covid-19 whose health is waning; a wounded soldier left behind in the battlefield; a small business owner who is busted and bankrupt; or a rebel whose entire life has been defiant. It’s easy to feel alone and outnumbered...
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December 16, 2020
by Tommy Clayton
| Tags: Advent, Waiting on God, In the Dark
Right now, the people in Barrow, Alaska are sitting in darkness and won’t see the sun for another full month. Every year, Barrow, located 320 miles North of the Arctic Circle, is in complete darkness for 65 days. Scientists call it Polar Night. The locals call it Endless Night. It’s a long, cold, dark winter. ...
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December 9, 2020
by Tommy Clayton
| Tags: Advent, Perfect Timing, Waiting on God
Have you ever wondered why God waited so long to send Jesus into the world...
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December 2, 2020
by Tommy Clayton
“Do you have any stories about how kids really are?” As a child, and bored with reading kid literature that didn’t seem true to life, Stephen King asked that question to a book-cart attendant who handed him a copy of William Golding’s classic, Lord of the Flies. ...
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November 25, 2020
by Tommy Clayton
| Tags: Gratitude, Thankfulness, Grateful Life
A grateful life is a beautiful life. It’s compelling. It’s attractive. It’s contagious. Being around thankful people is pleasant. They are humble, optimistic, and appreciative....
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