Blog (Page 8)

When I, as a preacher, dig into the reality that many of us are facing real pain, the email inbox fills up. It’s a sobering reminder that, even here in Placer County, there are lots of hurting people. Here’s a brief sample from the emails I received Monday: The sermon hit the spot. Thanks for sharing from your heart today. Today, as soon as you mentioned “I had hoped…” I felt pain, but I am glad, because I felt something.…

Yesterday at Emmaus we considered a few of the things we have in common with all people – Brokenness and a Need for Grace.  Nate shared some examples of brokenness and charged each one of us to not only rest in God’s grace and restoration but to also offer this grace to others.  Just before communion, Nate defined grace as nothing more than loving people when they don’t deserve it.  This simple definition was made even more beautiful when it…

I’m reading a great book right now called Sticky Faith that has really been opening my eyes to some of the factors that are connected to kids having a faith that “sticks” from childhood to adulthood. I’m loving this book and I recommend it to anyone who has kids or love kids! I thought I’d share a few highlights here from the first half of the book: The most important social influence in shaping young people’s religious lives is the…

This week in Emmaus Kids the children will be hearing the story of Adam and Eve. Although the Common Table series is focused on Luke 24, the children will hear that story next week. Instead, this week, they will be focusing in on the same themes of brokenness and forgiveness through the story of Adam and Eve. Some main points: They will discuss how God created the world good and then it was broken because of sin. They will discuss…

This week we began a 35 day journey of praying for one another. We prayed for the discouraged and the disappointed and the sick and the lonely… After my evening prayers I posted brief reflections on the specific need we prayed for that day. (You can see these reflections, if you’ve not already, on Emmaus’ Facebook page). I was encouraged and a bit surprised by the response. As a pastor and preacher, I’m always on the lookout for what “connects”…

Each year during the advent season, we create a Compassion Plan to support some groups of people within our community. We challenged everyone to participate in some way. It was exciting to see people getting creative with their families and seeing kids give as well! On Christmas Day, our giving for the compassion plan reached a total of ,670.00! We reached our goal! Thank you for giving in this season to help single moms, widows, orphans and the critically ill!…

On the first day of 2012 our community participated in something that, from the beginning of the Church, has been a big part of the Christian experience: we’ve shared a meal. We gathered around tables with others and we’ve shared food. We came together as people who share a common need: we all need nourishment; and a common solution: food. Isn’t it interesting how the same basic experience: eating, can happen in such a wide variety of ways? On one…

Magi from the east declare, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.” “When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.” (Matthew 2) Why was Jerusalem disturbed? What had they to lose? Herod feared for his throne. But the people? Why weren’t they celebrating the arrival of the Deliverer long-awaited, the Savior promised by prophets? Why were they…

As we make out way through December and January, I have a challenge for you! With the help of our song, and this reference list, I challenge you to memorize the books of the Bible! When we can all say them , we’ll celebrate with a party!! Old Testament • Genesis • Exodus • Leviticus • Numbers • Deuteronomy • Joshua • Judges • Ruth • 1 Samuel • 2 Samuel • 1 Kings • 2 Kings • 1 Chronicles…

Join us for a walk through the Rocklin Pebble Creek street of lights at 6:30 P.M. on Thursday the 22nd. We’ll meet at the Sunset park & ride lot on the corner of Sunset and Pebble Creek. After our stroll, Alex Frankel has invited everyone over to her home for snacks and fellowship at 6130 Preston Cir Rocklin. Please don’t hesitate to contact me with questions – denise@emmaus.church and as always, we’d love to have you and your family join us…

While the adults covered the topic of The Thankful Have More Time, our chapel lesson paralleled with “Focus on Thankful. Focus on Jesus.” We centered our lesson on Genesis 28:16, “Surely the LORD is in this place and I was not aware of it.” To expand on this point, we discussed that just like air, God is around us even when we don’t see Him. We talked about what we can do to focus and be aware. Parents can further this…

  I love it when someone in our Emmaus community is so touched and transformed by a message that God gives them lyrics and even a melody to express what is happening in their heart! This happened recently in my husband, Darrell Haskins, after a message by Nate called “They Reveled in His Glory”. I love the line, “You are here now with us and revel in your presence”. It reminds me of the name for Jesus, Emanuel, meaning “God…