Being one of four siblings, and being the youngest, I got quite adept at playing the “It wasn’t me” game. I remember one time I was having a fight with my oldest brother (which I often did). I had saved my allowance money to buy a really cool accessory for my G.I. Joe (the 12” size). It was a paraglider that actually flew like a kite. I was having trouble assembling it, so I asked my brother to he...  Read More

The pain would have been unfathomable, beyond excruciating.   The Garden: Before He even gets to the cross, and even before Pilate, He was in torment—all the way back to the garden He was sweating blood as He cried out to God. Do you understand what your body has to go through to sweat blood? It is called hematidrosis, which is caused by EXTREME emotional stress. Agony, and no one had even laid a ...  Read More

“Your plane”  “My Plane”“Your plane”“My Plane” This was the communication and series of commands traded back and forth as I took control of the planes rear controls before performing maneuvers under the supervision of the pilot. I had never flown a plane before, nor had any interest to… But Doug, a youth group leader/mentor, and retired Airforce pilot took me up in his stunt plane! This was one of...  Read More

Pressure is a thing. We are all under it in different areas of our life. People expect from us. People have perceptions about us. People even threaten us when they don’t get what they want. It’s in these moments where the truth of a person’s character rises or falls. I’ve watched sports my whole life. I’ve seen teams that were really good at “blowing out” inferior opponents, but when they faced a ...  Read More

Main Point and Overview:  There is not a single event in world history that can compare to The Cross of Jesus Christ. It is the greatest display of sacrificial love that there has ever been. What makes it so special is the magnitude of the price that was paid by a completely innocent man. Sometimes, we forget what Jesus went through, or at least, we block it out of our memories. Maybe it makes us ...  Read More

On Christmas Eve family and friends gathered in Emmanuel’s auditorium to commemorate the birth of Christ. The room was aglow with a backdrop of festive Christmas trees, there were many hugs and greetings being exchanged, and it was evident that the children and adults alike were brimming with the anticipation of Christmas. With candles lit and held high, the congregation raised their voices togeth...  Read More