on the walk

This week our sermon series on finances continued. It was a good week. The message revolved around two poles. The second pole was a simple (but not easy) call to disciplined financial living. 10-10-80 is a simple way to remember to plan a budget: 10% to give away, 10% to save or invest and 80% to live on. I will post about the plan soon. My first reflection is on the first pole. Continue Reading »

One of the blogs that I read occasionally just posted the outline of an interesting looking series on Jesus and money. Given Mountain’s current series, I thought that some of you would be interested in seeing another take on the topic.

This blog is the home of a fascinating preacher at a fascinating church. I often find he has a surprising and refreshing view of church life and how to live as a Christian. Check it out if you want a glimpse at another take on these issues.

Preaching on Money

on the walk

-Ethan

On Sunday we began a new sermon series on finances at Mountain.  It is entitled “Get a Grip: On your finances.”  The first sermon was challenging to me personally.  I can’t remember every detail but I remember being overcome by this question ringing in my head.

For how long am I going to live at the edge of my financial limits?

For how long will I put up with the stress and frustration that comes from living with no financial margin?

For how long will I accept the materialism and consumerism of the culture as normal for my life?

For how long will I allow my sloppy financial choices to limit my freedom to follow Christ?
As I think about these things personally, I begin to reflect that these are communal questions as well.  As Christians living in American, we are called to be a counter cultural force. And so I wonder, for how long will we accept that the church is a participant in the consumerism of American society?

I am excited about this series.  I want to use this as an opportunity to take a stand in my life.  I have been taught the proper values, I just have not lived them.  This is my next best chance to live them.
on the walk

-Ethan

We pick up our series on the prayer of Jesus with the final prayer scene of the Gospel of Mark. We find Jesus in a time of crisis, praying in the garden. Take a moment and encounter Jesus in prayer. Continue Reading »

I will open with one word of apology.  If you will look at the calender you will see that after six weeks of almost daily blogging I have had 14 days with only five posts.  I think that the season of continually business and exhaustion represented by that lack is over.  Proof of that should soon be evident.  Now on to my post.

I just spent a wonderful thirty minutes reading from C.S. Lewis’s collection of essay’s “The Weight of Glory.”  I may go back and pull some quote to discuss but for now I will just commend to you this volume.  If you are new to Lewis, then it probably is not the place to start, but if you have read a lot of his fine writing but not yet this little volume, consider this your excuse to stop by a used book store and invest 3 dollars in a collection of delightful essays. Continue Reading »

Here is wonderful post that challenges us to think about our calling as ambassadors for Christ.  Check it out.

onthewalk

-Ethan

This is the final post in this series, because next week we start a new sermon series on Finances called “Get a Grip.” But before moving on I have one parting thought about recycling.

These days it is hip to recycle and so manufacturers usually mention if they make a product from recycled materials. Somewhere on the package it might say, “This product made from 30% recycled products.” Continue Reading »

What a fascinating day.

Today at Mountain we finished our series “Recycled” with a guest speaker. Michael Franzese gave his testimony and brought a message of hope and redemption. His story is amazing. He was a rising star in organized crime and then was led to Christ by an cast member in a movie that he was producing. I can’t begin to summarize how amazing his story was. In every detail it was like nothing I can ever imagine. I will relate two things now. Continue Reading »

I am teaching on Romans right now. It is a wonderful process. I am learning so much and am being so inspired by reading this book so closely. I love Romans.

This Sunday we are discussing 1:18 – 3:20. This section is all about idolatry sin and death. It is great stuff. Continue Reading »

There is a wonderful article that can be read on the website of the Leadership Journal.  In this article by Chad Hall, he writes of his own journey to simplify his life.  I want to write more about this issue and I want to live more of this issue.  But for today I encourage you to read what Chad has written.  Can the church lead in this way?  Should the church lead in this way?

Take a look: Living with Less.

on the walk

-Ethan