At Victory Youth this past Sunday evening we continued to dwell on this week’s Advent theme: Peace. Peace, in the Hebrew Shalom, means not only the absence of conflict but the presence of wholeness. We read together the moment in Luke 8 when, in the midst of a great crowd, the bleeding woman reaches out just to touch the hem of Jesus’ garment so that she might be made whole.… Read More »The Questions We’re Asking
Matt 5:7 – Sermon Outline Matt 5:7 – Children’s Sermon Outline
By Rick Winter This is our road to Emmausfamiliar and endlessobscured by diseasethat takes the weakand vulnerableleaving us in loneliness tillthe light from breaking breadpierces the dark glassrevealing the memory of sacrificeand the hope of redemption Even though the calendar places Easter behind us, we live our faith in the struggle to own that redemption. Each day is a plea for this pandemic to leave and the seeming silent response… Read More »Emmaus
By Sarah Marshall As a child, I saw weeds growing through cracks in the sidewalk as something beautiful. This romanticized view was partially due to A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. In the novel, a tree grows in an alley and symbolizes the ability people have to survive and even thrive in difficult circumstances. The mother, Katie, meditates: Who wants to die? Everything struggles to live. Look at that tree growing… Read More »Consider the Weeds
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end;they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. This is one of my favorite verses in the Bible. It gives me hope knowing every day, that the Lord will show me mercy and grace. Every day is a fresh start. His resurrection proved that: His new morning was on Easter Sunday. For those who love the Lord, there will be… Read More »Lamentations 3:22-23
by Rick Winter My eyes snapped open.Staring at the ceiling I raised my arms and noticed that my handsstill carried the scarsI thought might have been erased by this passage.For what reason do they persist,when memory carries these wounds of my misery?Then, a friend who embracedmy return needed the evidenceof my damaged palms. For forty days after his resurrection Jesus made appearances on earth; prepared breakfast on the beach for his friends and let… Read More »Scars
how strange to celebrate the arrival of a man condemned to execution with their hosannas as a prelude to a last meal shared with friends who will disperse in fear while he remains suspended palms scattered on the ground Matthew 26:26-33 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then… Read More »Palm
by Rick Winter The view from my isolated officeis dominated by a plum treein full pink bloomthe persistent holly alongsidebackstage a pregnant red budwaits for the plum to yielda yellow forsythia as back dropand the chorus of flowers emergingall in defiance of a winterrefusing to retreat. Psalm 88:13-18 But I cry to you for help, Lord; in the morning my prayer comes before you.Why, Lord, do you reject me and hide your face from me?… Read More »The View
Dear Victory Yout, (not a spelling error) Question: Where is God in the midst of the COVID-19 epidemic? First, recognize that the frequency of a question (or the fact that it quickly jumps to mind) doesn’t necessarily make it a good question or one you have to have a clear answer for. Nearly every time Victory youth gathers, someone raises the question: what makes a taco a taco? I hope… Read More »A Letter to Victory Youth
