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Elders

The Call for Elders (Jas 5:13-15) Chris Altrock – July 31, 2016

20160731- Calling all Elders Still

Fredrik Backman is the author of a book I mentioned last Sunday. The book is titled A Man Called Ove. The book centers on a man named Ove whose wife was the love of his life. Backman writes,

Ove had never been asked how he lived before he met her, but if anyone had asked him, he would have answered that he didn’t.” (Fredrik Backman A Man Called Ove, Chapter 14 (6:05)).

Ove’s wife was his life. And after Ove’s wife died, Backman described the impact this way:

But if anyone had asked, he would have told them, that he never lived before he met her, and not after either.” (Fredrik Backman A Man Called Ove, Chapter 14 (15:57)).

She was his life. Ove came to life when he met her. And he seemed to lose his life when she left him. And that, Backman writes, is the fear we all have about death:

We fear it. Yet most of us fear more than anything that it may take someone other than ourselves. For the greatest fear of death is always that it will pass us by, and leave us there, alone.” (Fredrik Backman A Man Called Ove, Chapter 39 (00:44))

What we fear more than anything when it comes to death, the novel suggests, is that death will leave us lonely in this life. What we most treasure in this life is having companionship. Having people to care about and people who care about us. That’s what brings us life. That’s what makes this life worth living. In many ways that’s what the novel is about.Read More »The Call for Elders (Jas 5:13-15) Chris Altrock – July 31, 2016

Saving Grace: A Mission of Grace (Titus 3) Feb. 24, 2013 – Sunday Morning Message

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Each year Highland holds an event we call “the best week of the year.”  It’s Camp Highland.  And each summer at Camp Highland many decide to be baptized.  Last summer there was one baptism which stood out because of the enthusiasm of the one being baptized.  It was the immersion of Jackson Cobb into Christ.  Let’s watch this sacred celebration again:

Read More »Saving Grace: A Mission of Grace (Titus 3) Feb. 24, 2013 – Sunday Morning Message

Saving Grace: Leaders of Grace (Titus 1) Feb. 17, 2013 – Sunday Morning Message

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For years visitors to Memphis have been welcomed by a variety of signs.  All of these welcome signs focus on the strengths of Memphis or Tennessee.

  • For example, there’s the sign on the bridge leading drivers from Arkansas to downtown Memphis which says, “Tennessee The Volunteer State Welcomes You.” The sign boasts that that Tennessee is the “volunteer state,” a place where people sacrifice and sign up to defend the country and help one another.
  • In various places around Memphis, there have been signs that say, “Welcome to Memphis, America’s Distribution Center.”  These signs highlight the fact that Memphis provides businesses great access to the rest of the country.
  • And for years at the edge of the Mississippi River visitors to Memphis were greeted by a sign which stated “Memphis, home of the blues, birthplace of rock and roll.”  The sign drew attention to the fact that Memphis has a rich and historic music culture.Read More »Saving Grace: Leaders of Grace (Titus 1) Feb. 17, 2013 – Sunday Morning Message