"It made me wonder if men sharpening men, as proverbs say, is less about behavior modification and more about reminding you of your sanctification found in Christ. I started to consider absolution as a sharpening stone that smoothes the jagged edges of our messed up lives."
I’ve worked in the New York State Unified Court System for over 30 years, and it’s a safe bet to … Continue Reading For The Ones That Remain…
Do you know what biblical grace is? It’s the unmerited favor of God. It’s not only having the slate wiped … Continue Reading License To Grace
This is what hopelessness feels like, at least for me. It’s a deep depression walking out of your body ahead … Continue Reading What Hopelessness Feels Like
“You’re getting divorced, you’re not going to get everything you want.” If a divorce is the only option left, those words are probably the most honest place to start from.
My life feels like a mess some days. I feel more and more like I’ve failed in so many areas of my … Continue Reading Why I’m NOT A Christian…
Hello all. I am in Long Island this week giving a pastor friend and very busy man a much needed … Continue Reading Hometown Hero: A Sermon
Hello all. I am at my home church this week, Bethany Lutheran Brethren. Delivering a message on what John the … Continue Reading The Ministry of John the Baptist: A Sermon
Hello all. Advent Week 4 is here… I get one more opportunity to spend time with this church before Christmas … Continue Reading Advent: Week 4 – Being a Part of the Salvation Story: A Sermon
Hello all. We have entered advent and I am preaching the first week here at Hillside. Hopefully I can help … Continue Reading Advent: Week 1 – Anticipation & Hope: A Sermon
Hello all. Preaching at Hillside. Love helping out this great church in Succasunna, NJ. I’m preaching on Jude 1:17-25. Once … Continue Reading Contending for the Faith: A Sermon
Hello all. Preached at Calvary Church in Bergenfield, NJ again, filling in for my very busy friend and pastor, Dan … Continue Reading God Alone Sanctifies: A Sermon
Hello all. one last time at Hillside for the summer, helping out a great church in Succasunna, NJ. I’m preaching … Continue Reading Paul’s Plea: A Sermon
This past week, I had the honor of preaching to a Lutheran congregation in New Jersey. I am a regular … Continue Reading A Baptism Rant
Hello all. I’m at Hillside again, helping out a great church in Succasunna, NJ. I’m preaching on Galatians 3:36-4:7. Today, … Continue Reading Identified by Grace: A Sermon
Hello all. A couple of weeks ago, I preached at a brand new church (For Me) Calvary Church in Bergenfield, … Continue Reading The Church on Mission: A Sermon
Hello all. I’m at Hillside again, helping out a great church in Succasunna, NJ. I’m preaching on Galatians 2:1-10. I … Continue Reading Defending The Gospel: A Sermon
I stopped by my parent’s grave this weekend. I think I was inspired by Rocky Balboa in the movie “Creed”. … Continue Reading Guilt & Grace
At Hillside Lutheran Brethren again, giving the Pastor a breather. Today, I preached a sermon inspired by John 17:20-26. Once … Continue Reading Unity: A Sermon
Giving Pastor Bruce at Hillside Lutheran Brethren Church in NJ a break the week after Easter. I preached a message … Continue Reading Peace Behind Locked Doors: A Sermon
“The Bondage Breaker” and “Every Man’s Battle”. Two of the more popular books in the christian arsenal on overcoming the … Continue Reading Catching up to the Win
“It made me wonder if men sharpening men, as proverbs say, is less about behavior modification and more about reminding you of your sanctification found in Christ. I started to consider absolution as a sharpening stone that smoothes the jagged edges of our messed up lives.”
I’ve worked in the New York State Unified Court System for over 30 years, and it’s a safe bet to … Continue Reading For The Ones That Remain…
As much as I do believe grace is the bigger word, the more important word, the more impactful word from … Continue Reading Law’s Countdown
Do you know what biblical grace is? It’s the unmerited favor of God. It’s not only having the slate wiped … Continue Reading License To Grace
I helped out Bunker Hill Lutheran Brethren Church this past Sunday. I preached on the Parable of the Sower. It … Continue Reading Sower, Seed and Soil: A Sermon
Returned to Hillside Lutheran for my occasional preaching to give the pastor a much needed rest. He’s Back at Hillside … Continue Reading Seasonal Living: A Sermon on Ecclesiastes 3:1-22
This past Sunday, I was at my home church, Bethany Lutheran, preaching a message from 1 John.
Sometimes, we need a little law, don’t we? We need to be reminded what’s a better choice for us, what’s … Continue Reading Day One, Everyday
This is an incredible time of year, isn’t it? The sense of hope and optimism in a sea of bad … Continue Reading Getting A Head Start…
I preach sometimes. I don’t know if that makes me a “preacher”, but on occasion, sure enough, I do preach … Continue Reading Preaching From Failure
“You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence.” – Psalm 90:8 You … Continue Reading No Hiding Places
Back at Hillside Lutheran Brethren Church, giving the pastor a well-deserved rest day. I has the opportunity to talk about … Continue Reading The Battle Song of Jehoshaphat: A Sermon
I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever. … Continue Reading My Imperfect Heart
I had the honor of visiting Hillside Lutheran Brethren Church in Succasunna, NJ this 2021 Reformation Day, where I had … Continue Reading Generosity: A Sermon
This is what hopelessness feels like, at least for me. It’s a deep depression walking out of your body ahead … Continue Reading What Hopelessness Feels Like
We are made in God’s image. He said so in Genesis Chapter 1. The very last thing He did was … Continue Reading Sunday Rest…
For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” – Philippians 1:21 Last night, my wife and I … Continue Reading A Christian Death Wish
I had the opportunity this past Sunday to preach in my former Pastor’s church in New Jersey. I peached on … Continue Reading The Ascension: A Sermon
Epiphany Church: NYC held their last church service in November 2020. In the end, there were several reasons for the … Continue Reading Missing Church
First time preaching in a while. Thankful to be a help for a pastor who needed a coverage. My main … Continue Reading Tempted? Wash Your Face!: A Sermon
A few years ago I was heading to work in Manhattan. My typical commute involved a bus ride to the … Continue Reading “It’s Just Not Worth It…”
O LORD, God of my salvation, I cry out day and night before you. Let my prayer come before you; … Continue Reading Psalm 88’s Desperate Ending
I’ve had a long week… Work’s been pretty crazy lately. I sit in a tiny 5 x 5 cubicle to … Continue Reading Dear Church…
In order to become a better writer, I’ve decided to take up the exercise of writing a little story. Since … Continue Reading The Visitor
Some words on fighting off past thoughts with the real and true promises of God
We are just about done with the worst snowstorm in NYC in years. By the time it’s all over, we’ll … Continue Reading Shoveling Snow
New Year Devotional – For all life’s difficulties, there’s something about January 1 that renews people’s hope. It symbolizes a … Continue Reading Our Perfect Resolution Keeper
While Pastor Erick was participating in The Here We Still Stand Conference, i got to preach one last time in … Continue Reading Who Gets What? A Sermon
It is a “gift” to us, for someone to know us, the real us, the us that doesn’t love well, the us that is full of flaws, to then still be loved by that someone.
2020 Summer in NYC. The middle of the coronavirus lockdown. Our services were completely online for a few months by … Continue Reading Slowly Coming to Jesus: A Sermon
I preached this at my church at the end of 2019. The topic was “God’s Plans” and the scripture reference … Continue Reading The Fullness of Time: A Sermon
Originally preached during the season of Advent, I spoke on the issue of patience and my scripture reference was James … Continue Reading While We Wait: A Sermon
Today, New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo, along with New York City Mayor, Bill de Blasio, used the 1 billion … Continue Reading NYC Checkpoint Keeps Rich People From Leaving The State
“Now, I have a heart that still functions, because of something outside of me, now placed within me. Something that gave me new life, a new hope.”
“This is the Christian life. It’s moving forward in the midst of a lot of little failures…”
The Defeated Victor 