Intersections

  Let’s be honest, I know the title of my sermon gives it away, but I’m going to try really hard not to skip ahead to verse 8 and to focus on the whole text. So let’s start at the beginning - this is one of my favorite verses, so let’s get into it.   Chapter 6 begins with God talking (through Micah) whether it’s a courtroom scene or not (scholars are divided about this). Ultimately - the fundamental relationship between God and people has been broken and God is trying to figure out what to do… how can God and the creation come back together in harmony?  God is challenging Israel in their present trouble. This isn’t a challenge where judgment is the end of the line, although it feels like it, doesn’t it? From Israel’s position, it feels to them like God has been silent all this time. But God responds with having them recall the exodus from Egypt, when the Lord redeemed them as they were slaves. The Lord provided for them with Moses and his family, and then also the mira...

  “Epiphanies awaken the soul.” ― Adrienne Posey I’ve started writing this article too many times. I keep waiting for MY epiphany.  Feeling the inspiration course through our veins is such a good feeling - especially when I have a deadline. But it can be so disheartening when it’s not there.  That’s the fleeting nature of epiphanies. They come - and hopefully, at least one has come to you - that the grace of God through Jesus Christ has forever changed you into believing that he is the Son of God who came to redeem the world’s hurt and harm with his sacrifice of purity and love. But much like love and sometimes faith - epiphanies escape us when we need them the most. You know what it feels like, but it’s not something that always sticks around, like a soul earthquake, revealing something new. Your soul is lit up and determined to change your life. The wise men had a long way to travel and knew very little about what they would find once they arrived. They were op...

Good morning, and thanks for coming today. You could have been anywhere in the world this morning, so it’s quite an honor to have your company. Once again, my name is Daniel Douglas, and I will be the new pastor at Bethany United Methodist Church in Fort Wayne starting on July 1st. Until then, it’s good that I get some practice.  I was born in south-central Wisconsin, and my parents brought me home to a town about the size of Garrett, a single-story ranch house. In front of that house, a couple of years before I was born, my dad planted two trees. You only know how much time passes if you can see the growth of objects you rarely see. My family and I moved out of that house six months later, but my uncle and aunt lived around the corner from that house, so when we would come back and visit, it’d be fun to see how much the trees had grown. As we grow, our perspective changes as well. The tree you thought was so giant as a kid doesn’t seem as big when you graduate high school. As time...