https://open.spotify.com/episode/5RTvJe6kcWDsyKMEpGfIHP?si=4f47fcb0d12045f8 The following is an unedited sermon manuscript; for an explanation of my sermon manuscripts, click here.*Originally preached December 11th, 2022* In 1835, the 22 year old Mary Longfellow, the wife of the poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, experienced a complicated miscarriage 6 months into her pregnancy that tragically resulted in her death. After eight lonely years … Continue reading When Evil Seems to Win (Ps 37)
Author: Marc Sims
What Is the “Regret” of God?
The word of the LORD came to Samuel: “I regret that I have made Saul king, for he has turned back from following me and has not performed my commandments.” And Samuel was angry, and he cried to the LORD all night...And Samuel said to him, “The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from … Continue reading What Is the “Regret” of God?
Why the OT Genocide Commands Are Likely Hyperbole
1 Samuel 15:3: "Now go and strike Amalek and devote to destruction all that they have. Do not spare them, but kill both man and woman, child and infant, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.’” This command (and others like it) is jarring to read. It seems to authorize God's people to slaughter non-combatants indiscriminately, … Continue reading Why the OT Genocide Commands Are Likely Hyperbole
Devoted to Destruction (1 Sam 15:1-3)
https://open.spotify.com/episode/5LHpFOffgvrSNckiOXZR5J?si=121c610a284b4f36 The following is an unedited sermon manuscript; for an explanation of my sermon manuscripts, click here. What do you do when something God does seems to contradict who God is? When His commands or actions seems to compromise God’s character? When God informs Abraham of His intention to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, Abraham is shocked. … Continue reading Devoted to Destruction (1 Sam 15:1-3)
When God Feels Distant (Ps 143)
https://open.spotify.com/episode/3QPD3HfLeabFETYqm5SmMK?si=7b0815f42b1f4a87 The following is an unedited sermon manuscript; for an explanation of my sermon manuscripts, click here.*Originally preached December 4th, 2022* I came to faith when I was fourteen years old. At the time I was the only member of my family who was a Christian and so my choice to go to church, read my … Continue reading When God Feels Distant (Ps 143)
Faithfulness Inverted (1 Sam 14:24-46)
https://open.spotify.com/episode/6OqjcIHeIxcEmeP4iuTjVW?si=ed917184c30c4006 The following is an unedited sermon manuscript; for an explanation of my sermon manuscripts, click here.*Originally preached November 6th, 2022* What makes a good leader? Who do you want to follow? Someone with vision, grit, conviction, someone who isn’t afraid to break the rules and push out into the unknown? Is it creativity, or courage, … Continue reading Faithfulness Inverted (1 Sam 14:24-46)
“Christ’s Nativity” by Henry Vaughan
Awake, glad heart! get up and sing! It is the birth-day of thy King. Awake! awake! The Sun doth shake Light from his locks, and all the way Breathing perfumes, doth spice the day. Awake, awake! hark how th’ wood rings; Winds whisper, and the busy springs A concert make; Awake! awake! Man is their high-priest, and should rise To offer up the sacrifice. I … Continue reading “Christ’s Nativity” by Henry Vaughan
Courage and Cowardice (1 Sam 14:1-23)
https://open.spotify.com/episode/7hvkOzZRf4XqnIQQuNeviy?si=685f4d594ce5443c The following is an unedited sermon manuscript; for an explanation of my sermon manuscripts, click here.*Originally preached October 30th, 2022* When was the last time you required courage? Maybe you heard a noise in the middle of the night that you had to go investigate; maybe you had to confront a friend steeped in unrepentant … Continue reading Courage and Cowardice (1 Sam 14:1-23)
Simple Sins (1 Sam 13:1-14)
https://open.spotify.com/episode/790MfGxoy2vkp3go8Mkz4L?si=7147514dd3534c1f The following is an unedited sermon manuscript; for an explanation of my sermon manuscripts, click here.*Originally preached October 23rd, 2022* Convictions are easy to hold, so long as they are never tested. Ideals that remain idealistic and never realistic–as in, put into practice–are a breeze. You can read a book about a new diet, or time … Continue reading Simple Sins (1 Sam 13:1-14)
My 10 Favorite Books this Year (2022)
Reading is a sweet gift. And while I always feel like I am in a serious "book debt" (always more books to read than I have time), it is fun to look back and reflect on what my favorite reads were from the last year. These are not limited to books that were published in … Continue reading My 10 Favorite Books this Year (2022)