Over 4 decades ago, I was the creative director of a series of “haunted houses.”  Danny, my business partner, and I staged dozens of these walk thru attractions throughout the early 1980’s.  How did we get involved in this line of work?  I’m glad you asked!

Danny’s parents and my parents are good friends, therefore, we were destined to play together as children.  We became fast friends and enjoyed growing up together.  When we weren’t staging Star Wars figures or playing tennis, we created things:  mostly games (that were all named “Darky”) … but occasionally we would design haunted houses that we would force our parents and siblings to walk through.

I don’t know exactly WHY we settled on haunted houses.  It certainly was not because we watched a lot of horror movies.  I did not like to be scared, and went to the “Casper the friendly ghost” room at the only commercial haunted house I visited in those years – too scared to venture into the real thing.

I think we started making the haunted houses because Danny had a basement, and it was pitch black dark, and (to our 8 year old minds) full of wonder.  So maybe it was that … or maybe it was me just compensating for my “Casper Room” performance to regain some street cred.  No one knows for sure, and I’m not talking.

Anyway …

At Danny’s house, we could put together the best haunted house walk thru possible for a pair of grammar school kids on a zero dollar budget.  The darkness led to many opportunities for scares.  Trouble was, we got greedy … we tried to take the haunted house tour on the road to my house.  I grew up in a GREAT HOUSE.  It had many wonderful qualities, but my 100 square foot room with giant uncovered windows, was simply not a great canvas to work with for our scare fests … especially at 2PM on a sunny summer afternoon!  The same things that “worked” in our haunted houses in Danny’s dark basement, were downright goofy in my fully lit bedroom. Discouraged by these failures, we retired from the haunted house business and Danny became a Gastroenterologist and I a Pastor.  If only …

That experience taught me something though … the power of the light.  When light shines, it exposes what is hiding in the dark.  And once exposed, the dangers of the darkness can be dealt with.

Last Sunday at Wildwood Community Church, we continued our series on the Holy Spirit and the believer titled “Fired Up.”  In last Sunday’s message we talked about one of the roles that the Holy Spirit serves in evangelism – to shine a spotlight on Jesus and bear witness about Him.  This Sunday, in part 6 of our series, we will see another aspect of the Holy Spirit’s work in evangelism:  conviction.  The idea of conviction is that the Spirit shines His light in our souls exposing the sin and unbelief hiding in our darkness … so that it might be dealt with through the work of Jesus on our behalf.

Join us Sunday in our 8:30, 9:45, or 11:00 services as we turn on the Light together, read John 16:4-11, and learn of the convicting work of the Spirit fueling evangelism and the growth of the church.  See you Sunday … and bring friends!

On Sunday, May 25, 2025, at Wildwood Community Church, I preached a sermon based on John 15:26-16:4. This message was part 5 of the “Fired Up” sermon series.  Below you will find questions related to the message for personal reflection or group discussion.  You will also find audio and video from the message to listen to/watch, download or share.

Sermon Questions:

1. Pray
2. Read John 15:26 – 16:4a
3. In general, do you like to share good news?  Since the Gospel message is the BEST NEWS, why do you think Christians struggle to share this message with others?
4. Have you ever experienced opposition to your faith in Jesus?  If so, when was that?  What happened and how did you respond?
5. Will you determine now to stand with Jesus in morality, in saying He is the only Way, and in community with His people?  What are some areas where you may be tempted to walk away from Christ in today’s world due to pressure from those around you?
6. The Holy Spirit comes to give witness to Jesus in a lost world and to work through His followers to give additional witness to who Jesus is to those who do not currently know Him.  How does knowing the Holy Spirit is present in our lives inspire you to be more bold in your witness for Jesus?
7. This week, think through three different 1-5 minute versions of your personal testimony with Jesus that you could share with others as you give a witness for Him.  Think of the different things that Jesus has done in your life that you might be able to share with others in different circumstances.
8. Pray for opportunities to be a witness for Jesus this week!
9. What stands out to you most from this message?  Any particular takeaway?

To access these questions in pdf format click here.

 

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Fired Up #5 5.25.25

 

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Most people love good news, and cannot wait to share it with others.

I remember when I was a kid, and my dad was celebrating his 40th birthday.  A collection of friends and family were coming to be a part of a surprise birthday party for my dad.  Somehow I learned that two of my dad’s brothers (who lived in Texas) were coming up to be part of the party.  This news was SO EXCITING to my 7 year old mind.  But the party was a surprise … how was I ever supposed to keep this a secret?

Well, I did pretty good all day leading up to the party, keeping the news to myself. But when I saw that Texas license plate rolling into the driveway, I could contain myself no longer, and ran inside to announce the arrival of the surprise guests.

“Dad, you’ll NEVER GUESS who just drove into the driveway,” I hollered as I swung open the front door.

My Dad calmly replied, “I bet its Frank and CB just arriving from Texas.”

How did he know?  Did I have that poor a poker face that he saw right through me all day?  Nope … someone else had already told him the good news.  I missed out on the excitement of breaking the story, but we all still enjoyed the party.

Why do I say that today?  I still believe people love to share the good news.  And what is the BEST NEWS?  That Jesus Christ, the Son of God, died on the cross for our sins and rose from the dead on the third day.  If we believe in Jesus, we will have our sins forgiven and be with God forever in heaven.  This is GREAT NEWS.

If this news is so great, why do we struggle to share it with others?

We are afraid that we will botch the presentation of the Good News.

We are concerned about how people will respond when we share this message with them (will it be awkward?  will they freak out?  will it damage our relationship?)

We become paralyzed by these concerns and fail to share the good news with others.

But here is what I truly believe.  If you are a Christian, deep down YOU FANTASIZE about seeing your friends and family who don’t currently know Christ begin to follow Him.  Nothing would make you happier than to see your loved ones come to faith (what a party that would be) and you would especially love to play in role in sharing Christ with them.  As believers in Jesus, you LONG to see people from other nations trust Jesus, and would love to have your life play a part in the expansion of the Gospel worldwide.

So, this Sunday, at Wildwood Community Church, we will gather to look at John 15:26-16:4 in part 5 of our “Fired Up” sermon series investigating the advantages the Holy Spirit brings to the believer.  As we gather this week, we will see Jesus share insight related to evangelism (sharing the good news.)  If our dream is to see our friends and family come to faith and to see the Great Commission flourish among all nations, then come Sunday to see how Jesus and His gift of the Spirit can help our dreams come true, even amidst a world that has rejected Him.

Join us in our 8:30, 9:45, or 11:00 worship service for a time of worship where we will sing, pray, read God’s Word, and share the Lord’s Supper together.  See you Sunday … and bring friends!  This is another ministry/advantage of the Holy Spirit that you need to know about!  My 51 year old mind is so excited to tell you.

On Sunday, May 18, 2025 at Wildwood Community Church, I preached a sermon based on John 15:1-17.  This message was part 4 of the “Fired Up” sermon series.  Below you will find questions related to this message for further group discussion or personal reflection.  You will also find audio and video from the message to listen to/watch, download or share.

Sermon Questions:

1. Pray
2. Read John 15:1-17
3. Have you ever visited a true “ghost town”?  In the introduction to this message we discussed how sometimes people’s relationship with God has drifted into “ghost town” status?  Did any of that resonate with you and your personal experience (or the experience of those you know)?
4. As Jesus was preparing to ascend to heaven and leave the disciples on earth He wanted to make sure they knew that God cared about how they lived their lives.  The same is true about our lives.  God wants our lives to demonstrate Jesus’ type of love toward other people.  How would you evaluate the Jesus-esque love you show to others?
5. We talked in this message about how the Holy Spirit empowers us to live the Christian life.  Review Romans 8:11, Galatians 5:16, 22-23, and Colossians 1:10-12.  What do you learn from these passages about the power available to the Christian through the ministry of the Holy Spirit?  Is there a particular struggle with temptation or sin that you often feel overcome by?  How does learning about the Holy Spirit give you hope in the midst of your struggle?
6. John 15:1-17 indicates that in order for the Christian to grow (and by application access the Spirit’s power) they need to ABIDE (or REMAIN) with Christ.  We abide in Christ as we relate to Him, pray and express our dependence upon Him, and obey Him.  Based on these descriptions, are you abiding in Christ today?  Is there any particular area that needs greater attention?
7. What stands out to you most from this message?  Any particular takeaway?

To access these questions in pdf format, click here.

 

To listen to the message offline, click on the link below:

Fired Up #4 5.18.25

 

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I present for your consideration today, two cities in Arizona.

City #1 – Bradshaw City, Arizona.  This beautiful city set amidst the Prescott National Forest was incorporated 160 years ago.  Within a decade of its founding, it boasted considerable wealth, with mansions and nice restaurants lining its main street.  The city’s 5,000 residents primarily worked at the gold mine located just outside of town, and its future looked bright!  Sadly (for its residents), the gold around Bradshaw City was quickly mined, leading to the city being completely abandoned by its residents just 25 years after its incorporation.  All that remains of Bradshaw City today is a National Forestry sign saying “Bradshaw City” and some dilapidated ruins of old buildings.  That’s right, Bradshaw City is a full blown ghost town today.

City #2 – Tombstone, Arizona.  This town got going about the time that Bradshaw City ghosted.  The silver mines outside of town drew many in search of wealth and prosperity, including famous cowboys like Doc Holliday and retired lawmen like Wyatt Earp.  While the silver mines were operating, the town grew to 14,000 people, but flooding in the silver mines led to the mining operation being abandoned, and the town shrunk to just a few hundred people.  It still exists today mainly as a tourist destination for people to take pictures near the old O.K. Corral.

Now, why do I share these locations with you today?  I do so because they are good representations of what happens when you separate something from its life source.  Ghost towns like Bradshaw City or ceremonial towns like Tombstone,  reveal little of their storied past now that the pipeline to their treasure has been turned off.  Like a cell phone with a run down battery and no charger, these cities have mostly lost their usefulness.

Let’s connect this principle to our spiritual lives …

Some of you reading this may identify your spiritual life like Bradshaw City:  there once was a day when you were “booming” with spiritual interest, but at some point, you disconnected from Christ, and today all that is left of your Christian identity is a baptism certificate or an old t-shirt from church camp … spiritual equivalents of the “Bradshaw City” National Forestry Service sign.  It may feel like the life that once looked promising has been extinguished.

Others of you reading this may identify your spiritual life like Tombstone:  an impressive past but a largely ceremonial present.  While you once walked with God daily, today you only gather among God’s people annually for Christmas or Easter services … spiritually “taking pictures” near the ecclesiastical O.K. Corrals of your more active Christian days.

Jesus does not want His followers to merely have a past with Him, but He desires our present and is preparing for our futures.  He does not want our spiritual lives to be ghost towns separated from a treasured relationship with Him, so He has sent the Holy Ghost to empower us to continue to produce His fruit in all seasons of our lives.

Would you like to reconnect to the Treasure?

This Sunday, May 18, at Wildwood Community Church, we will be in part 4 of our “Fired Up” sermon series continuing to look at a study of the Holy Spirit and the believer.  This week we will be in John 15:1-17 as we see how we can make our home (abide) in Jesus, and see His Spirit produce His fruit in our lives today.  Make plans to join us this Sunday in our 8:30, 9:45, and 11:00 service … and bring friends!

On Sunday, May 11, 2025, at Wildwood Community Church, I preached a sermon based on John 13:15, 34-35. This message was part 3 of the “Fired Up” sermon series.  Below you will find questions related to the message for personal reflection or group discussion.  You will also find audio and video from the message to listen to/watch, download or share.

Sermon Questions:

1. Pray
2. Read John 13:15, 33-35
3. Have you ever thought of God the Father as being firm, while Jesus is fun?  The Father represents the Law and the Son Love?  The Father holiness and the Son helpful?  What kinds of dichotomies have you created about the identity of God the Father and God the Son?  How does the Holy Spirit fit into your thinking?
4. Jesus commands His followers to love as He has loved them.  He defined love and modeled love for them.  How does Jesus define love?  How does the world around you define love?
5. How are you doing loving others as Jesus loved you?  Any particular areas in which the Lord was challenging you during this message today?
6. More than just a call to individuals, Jesus was collectively calling His people to love as He loved.  This creates a community that has evangelistic effectiveness and creates an environment of loving growth inside the church.  From your experience, do churches tend to be places marked by the love of Jesus, or something else?  How are you contributing to this environment (positively or negatively)?
7. The standard that Jesus sets is well beyond our natural ability.  We need both forgiveness and empowerment.  Thankfully, Jesus gives both!  Do you need to ask Jesus for forgiveness today for a “less than Jesus love-full” life?  Do you need to ask His Spirit to enable you to love as He has loved? If so, spend some time with the Lord in prayer now.
8. What stands out to you most from this message?  Any particular takeaway?

To access these questions in pdf format click here.

 

To listen to message offline, click the link:

Fired Up #3 5.11.25

 

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This Sunday is Mother’s Day.  That has me thinking about parenting …

Parents LOVE their children (at least they should).  They want to take care of their children and give them good gifts, encourage them, and provide for their basic needs.

Parents also want to AIM their children (at least they should).  They want to train them to understand right from wrong, and how to excel at life.  Living with their children for 18 years, puts parents in the optimal spot to shepherd their child’s hearts toward green pastures.  Parents make and enforce rules, set consequences, and train kids on how to live.

But what about Grandparents?

Well, in modern American life, children often grow up in a different area code from their grandparents.  They see them only occasionally.  This is not the case for all, but for many, the infrequency of interaction leads to a different kind of relationship.

Grandparents LOVE their grandchildren (at least most do).  They cheer them on from a distance, hang their pictures in their homes, attend big events, and lavish them with gifts whenever possible.  Grandparents often do not directly AIM their grandchildren.  They merely are in a supportive role to those raising their grandchildren.  This means (at times) the rules get broken when Grandma is in town.  Ice cream before dinner?  No way on a random Tuesday, but when Grandma visits?  Why not!

Now these are gross generalities.  I know many grandparents who are raising their grandchildren (for a variety of reasons) and I know many others who have a more active role in AIMING their grandkids due to proximity or other factors.  But, you get the general trend.

Now, why do I share this with you today?

Sometimes people view God the Father and God the Son as operating at odds with one another.  God the Father, in His holiness and justice sets standards designed to AIM us and enforces consequences when we get out of line.  And God the Son (Jesus)?  Well, He spoils us with ice cream for dinner!  In this understanding, the Father = firm, the Son = fun … the Father = Law, and the Son = Love.

And what about the Spirit? (Remember there is a Trinity after all!)

This Sunday at Wildwood Community Church, we will explore this conversation in part 3 of our series on the Holy Spirit and the Believer, “Fired Up.”  In this week’s message we will look at John 13:34-35 and 15:5 to see a (maybe) surprising truth:  Jesus did not lower the bar on God’s standards, but actually clarified for us just how high His standard really is!  Jesus does not suspend the rules, lowering them to the level of our base desires, He actually raises our eyes to His glorious standard, and calls us to follow Him all the way to the top.

While this entire sermon series is really a single thought spread out over 7 messages, the next two weeks ESPECIALLY work together.  This Sunday we will see what God is really asking of us.  Only when we understand the life we are called to live do we understand the significance of Jesus’ statement in John 15:6, “apart from Me, you can do nothing.”  When we see how high the bar is, we realize we need some serious help to get over the top!  So, after this week’s examination of how Jesus has clarified just how high the bar is, NEXT WEEK we will talk about the Spirit’s provision to help us live the God glorifying life!

God the Father and God the Son love us AND aim us AND  make it possible (through God the Spirit)  for us to live the life He is aiming us towards.  We will see this great truth over the next two Sundays.  Hope you can join us … and bring friends to our 8:30, 9:45, and 11:00 worship services.

On Sunday, May 4, 2025, at Wildwood Community Church, I preached a sermon based on John 14:25-26 and 16:12-15. This message was part 2 of the “Fired Up” sermon series.  Below you will find questions related to the message for personal reflection or group discussion.  You will also find audio and video from the message to listen to/watch, download or share.

Sermon Questions:

1. Pray
2. Read John 14:25-26, 16:12-15
3. Have you ever had the chance to interact with the artist or author of a favorite song, book, or work of art?  If not, who would you LIKE to talk to about something they have created?  When you interacted with this person (or if you could interact with them) what did you/would you ask them?  How would you anticipate that interaction increasing your appreciation for the art they produced?
4. In this morning’s message, we talked about how Jesus highlighted the Holy Spirit’s role in the formation of the New Testament.  What stood out to you most from this study?  Does the Spirit’s role in the formation of the Holy Spirit INCREASE your confidence and appreciation of the New Testament?  Why or why not?
5. What would you NOT KNOW ABOUT were it not for the New Testament?  Take a moment to thank God for the gift of the New Testament.
6. What is your plan for reading the Bible over the next 60 days?
7. We shared a set of prayers mentioned in “The Bible Recap.”  Consider taking a few minutes and praying these prayers before your Bible reading over the next 60 days. These 4 prayers:  (1) God, give me wisdom, knowledge & understanding as I read.  (2) Let any knowledge gained help me love You and others more, not puff me up.  (3) Help me see something new about You that I haven’t seen before.  (4) Direct my steps according to Your Word.
8. What stands out to you most from this message?  Any particular takeaway?

To access these questions in pdf format click here.

 

To listen to message offline, click the link:

Fired Up #2 5.4.25

 

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About a month ago Shane Bernard and Shane Everett (Shane & Shane) came to Wildwood with their band to lead a Sunday evening time of worship.  It was a great evening, and God was glorified in that time together.

I have listened to Shane & Shane’s music for years, and Wildwood sings many of their songs (or their arrangements of songs) each Sunday.  They are truly a gift to the Church at large for which I am greatly thankful to God.

As the Shanes spent time at Wildwood that evening, I was blessed by their ministry both on and off the stage.  Off the stage, we got to have dinner and interact a bit about life.  On the stage, I got to hear Shane Bernard share his personal wrestling with the lyrics of Psalm 23, and how the Lord was teaching him through this Psalm to not “want” but to rest in the Good Shepherd who satisfies.

It truly is a special moment when you get to spend time with an artist or author and hear “behind the music.”

I was thinking about this today as I reflected on John 14:25-27 and 16:12-15.  Last Sunday we began a new sermon series entitled “Fired Up: The Holy Spirit & the Believer.”  In this series we are seeing what Jesus has taught us about the Helper (the Holy Spirit) that He sent to be with us after He ascended to the Father in Heaven.  In last Sunday’s message we talked about the present (the Holy Spirit) that Jesus has sent for our present (our current experience) to help us in the Christian life.  We ended that message by asking “how does the Holy Spirit help us?”  This Sunday, May 4, we will begin to answer that question by looking at ONE of the ways the Spirit helps us: by guiding us into Truth.

The Scripture is God’s Word.  Though men wrote the words down, these men were carried along by God’s Spirit in what they wrote.  After guiding the writing of the Scripture, the Holy Spirit then remains in a permanent way in the life of the Christian helping them make sense of what was inspired in the biblical text.

To say it another way, it is truly special when we get to LIVE with THE ARTIST and THE AUTHOR of Scripture every day.  We get access to God both “on” and “off” stage and learn more of what is “behind His music.”

Hope you can join us Sunday at Wildwood Community Church in our 8:30, 9:45, or 11:00 worship services.  See you there … and bring friends!