7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. Matthew 5 I wrestle with this teaching. Not that I don’t agree with it or aspire to live it. I wrestle with the weight of what Jesus says in this teaching. He is making the case that one can only truly understand and embrace the mercy … More In Need of Mercy
“When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and he taught them, saying: ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” The Gospel according to Matthew 5:1-3 I can’t escape that the first … More Living the Blessings: Jesus message on The Beatitudes
we know that a person is justified not by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ. (Galatians 2:16) Is this the point to this life summed by obeying a set of rules from a divine power or is it about understanding that God loves us? This is struggle happens in every … More A Disciple’s Life
It is that time of year again when we in the Christian faith will give something up for God as we prepare for Easter. Moderation and fasting are valuable practices that have longterm benefits, but does God really care about whether we have chocolate between now and Easter? In short. No. The prophet Hosea wrote; … More Something Else
Once again ……… why? Another human being, a young pastor, has taken their life. Taken. That is really too polite and gentle for what it does to the people that loved him, knew him, supported him. If I sound mad then good. At least I am being clear. Suicide does not respect race, gender, age, … More Suicide, I hate you.
“Everything is a mess, and I just want to start this day/week/month/life over. I can’t shake this feeling that I am a shadow of what I really want to be today. Why is everyone else succeeding with their best life and I … just feel off.” These are the words I hear and read all … More Darkness in the Light
When was the last time that we stopped to think about Jesus? Who Jesus was, is, and why does that matters to us? It is so easy to lose ourselves in the long list of the important things that have to get done in our lives that we lose sight of who gives us real … More Sermon “Declutter: Making Room For Jesus”
We can all agree that the world would be a better place if everyone tried to be kind. When Jesus preached that we should not judge others is that the same thing? Today we explore Jesus’ challenge to all who will listen about love. Material20190120105833 from First Presbyterian Church on Vimeo.
How do you prepare for Christmas? What must be done in your house and life so that you feel ready for Christmas? The preparation that scripture asks us to do is focused on the heart. How does one prepare their heart of the coming of Jesus? Prepare The Way 9 from First Presbyterian Church on … More Prepare the Way – Second Sunday of Advent Message
How can we be thankful during times of suffering and acts of horror? Can God create hope in the midst of darkness? thankful time 11 from First Presbyterian Church on Vimeo.
Rev. Shawn J. Smith 