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Reaching Into the Dark
Sermon from this past Sunday. The text was Luke 7:11-17 This is a short story, only six verses to be accurate, but it is a wonderfully beautiful story. This story is another example of how, sometimes, silence can be more powerful and more significant than words. After all, there are only a couple of spoken…
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Where have I been?
I have a confession to make: My houseplants are dead. All of them. Three years ago I would shutter at the thought. I spent much time and energy watering them, feeding them, pruning them, placing them in and out of sun as needed. I loved them. But here we are. I am now the owner…
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Hump Day Hymns: Christian, Dost Thou See Them
Christian, dost thou see them On the holy ground, How the powers of darkness Rage thy steps around? Christian, up and smite them, Counting gain but loss, In the strength that cometh By the holy cross. Christian, dost thou feel them, How they work within, Striving, tempting, luring, Goading into sin? Christian, never tremble; Never…
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Faithful Foreigners
Sermon from this past Sunday. Text was Luke 7:1-10 “Not even in Israel have I found such faith” An unexpected statement, to be sure. After all, Israel is where the faithful were supposed to live. Ancient Israel was supposed to be the home of God’s people. Ancient Israel were thought to be God’s people to…
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Hump Day Hymns: Come, Lord, and Tarry Not
Come, Lord and tarry not; Bring the long-looked-for day; O why these years of waiting here, These ages of delay? Come, for Thy saints still wait; Daily ascends their sigh: The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come”: Dost Thou not hear the cry? Come, for creation groans, Impatient of Thy stay, Worn out with these…
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Life on a State Highway
My sermon from this past Sunday. The text was Romans 5:1-5 Paul was spending three winter months in Corinth. He has already been around the Mediterranean world a couple of times on missionary journeys, telling people about the good news of Jesus, starting churches for these new followers of Jesus. During these journeys he would…
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Spectator or Witness
My sermon from yesterday. Text was Acts 1:1-11 Ascension is a difficult day to understand. It is the most overlooked feast day. After all, who wants to spend time in church remembering and celebrating when Jesus left his disciples? It is difficult to understand because we wonder, why would Jesus leave his disciples? After all,…
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The Future Hope to Live Now
Sermon from this past Sunday. The text was Revelation 21:1-10, 22-22:5 It was a difficult time for Christians. Nearly one hundred years after the birth of Jesus, a lot has changed. Christianity began as an off-shoot of Judaism, and many early Christians looked and acted a lot like Jews — because they were. However, as Paul and…
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Curiosity on a Sunny Saturday Morning
The sun is warm and the birds are chirping. It is finally a spring-like day during this unseasonably cold spring. The front window is open and I hear a group of boys talking. The city is doing utility work on our street and there is a square of concrete which is removed surrounded by sawhorse…
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Hump Day Hymns: O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go
O Love that wilt not let me go, I rest my weary soul in Thee; I give the back the life I owe, That in Thine ocean depths its flow May richer, fuller be. O Light that followest all my way, I yield my flickering torch to Thee; My heart restores its borrowed ray, That…
Matthew van Maastricht
Shepherd of Souls | Spiritual Director | Psychotherapist
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Matthew van Maastricht 