2014

Well Pleased.

by Mark SorensenUpdated on December 31, 2014December 31, 2014

“As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a …

Nearby.

by Mark Sorensen December 19, 2014December 19, 2014

“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks by night.” (Luke 2:8) It was just another night. Just another night, that us, until the private whispers from an …

Christianity Encouragement Humor Jesus Scripture Worship

When the “Walking Dead” Meets Jesus.

by Mark Sorensen October 31, 2014October 31, 2014

Do you ever just read the gospels and think, “It must have been incredible being a disciple, walking where Jesus walked and listening to Him teach?” I do. Seriously! Can you imagine what it must …

Christianity Encouragement God Humor Scripture United Methodist

Objects in Mirror are Closer than they Appear

by Mark Sorensen October 16, 2014October 16, 2014

I’m not sure it gets better than one of my favorite scenes in the movie, Jurassic Park. A T-Rex has broken free (I mean, really. Can T-Rex live on goat alone?) and has taken to …

bible Christianity Encouragement God Humor Scripture United Methodist Worship

Lift Up Your Head.

by Mark Sorensen September 26, 2014September 26, 2014

Fun fact. You have to take a psychological exam to be considered for ministry within the United Methodist Church. I will be the first to admit that I see the need here, but I have also …

Christianity

Words with Friends; Mercy style.

by Mark Sorensen September 17, 2014September 17, 2014

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall be shown mercy.” Matthew 5:7 If I can be honest? I am trying to be more careful with my words. As I have been teaching through the Be|Attitudes …

Christianity Encouragement God Prayer Quotes Scripture

When It All Falls Apart.

by Mark SorensenUpdated on July 25, 2014July 25, 2014

When I was a kid, I loved working on jigsaw puzzles. Seriously. My whole family was pretty hard core about it. In fact, we actually had a designated jigsaw puzzle table in our dining room. For …

Christianity Encouragement God Humor Jesus Prayer United Methodist Worship

Settling for “Angry Birds” in the presence of a Seurat

by Mark SorensenUpdated on July 23, 2014July 23, 2014

Last week I took my first trip to Chicago. Loved the city. Loved the pizza. Loved the experience. My wife and I fit in a lot of touristy things in the two and a half days …

Christianity Encouragement God United Methodist Worship

Confessions of a Pastor.

by Mark SorensenUpdated on July 9, 2014July 9, 2014

Can I be honest with you? I’m a mess. Seriously. Like, a super-mess. There. It’s out. Where to even start? Ok. Here: I set high expectations for myself. There’s that. Oh. Add to the mix that I …

Christianity Encouragement Jesus United Methodist Worship

Maintenance vs. Mission (Woe #7)

by Mark SorensenUpdated on July 8, 2014July 8, 2014

And here we are, our final “Woe” of Jesus to the Pharisees. In case you have just joined the “Woe” readings, allow me to offer a quick catch-up for you. Jesus, as a guest of one …

Christianity

Abide.

by Mark Sorensen June 23, 2014June 23, 2014

“Abide in Me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in Me.” –John 15:4 One …

Christianity

“Power.”

by Mark SorensenUpdated on June 9, 2014June 9, 2014

There’s power in the person of the Holy Spirit. As we launched the series on the Holy Spirit yesterday at the Woodlands United Methodist Church, it was my fervent prayer that we not just …

bible Christianity Encouragement God Jesus Quotes United Methodist Worship

The Religious Walking Dead.

by Mark Sorensen May 30, 2014May 30, 2014

Early on in seminary, I was struck by a quote that came from John Wesley, the founder of Methodism. When speaking of the Methodist movement and his hope for its future, Wesley said: “I am …

bible Christianity God Jesus United Methodist Worship

Father, Son, and who?

by Mark SorensenUpdated on June 29, 2014May 23, 2014

I’m preparing to launch a new series soon in the Harvest on the Holy Spirit. I’m pretty excited about it. Of course, I say, “excited”. To be fair, I must also throw in a pinch of “terrified”. …

Christianity Encouragement God Prayer Worship

I Need a Reason to Sing.

by Mark SorensenUpdated on May 16, 2014May 16, 2014

“Where words fail, music speaks.” -Hans Christian Anderson Mid way through my yard detail duties yesterday evening, my ears were filled with a random shuffle to a song by All Sons and Daughters called, “Reason to Sing”. …

Well Pleased.

Nearby.

When the “Walking Dead” Meets Jesus.

Objects in Mirror are Closer than they Appear

Lift Up Your Head.

Words with Friends; Mercy style.

When It All Falls Apart.

Settling for “Angry Birds” in the presence of a Seurat

Confessions of a Pastor.

Maintenance vs. Mission (Woe #7)

Abide.

“Power.”

The Religious Walking Dead.

Father, Son, and who?

I Need a Reason to Sing.

When Tempted…

Rest and Renew

“Thank you.”

The Danger of Disconnectedness

Grace in the Broken Car Wash

In Anxious Times, Wait Upon the Lord