Scharf: That the world may know

Have you ever heard someone pray for you?

An ounce of mother

There's an old Spanish proverb: "An ounce of mother is worth a ton of priest." So, on this Mother's Day weekend, let's thank God for many ounces of godly mothers.

Scharf: Listen to the shepherd’s voice

Scharf: Peace in everything

Peace be with you. That's one of those things churchgoers hear all the time. So how is it working for you? Is there peace in your world?

Scharf: I love to tell the story

"I love to tell the story of unseen things above, of Jesus and his glory, of Jesus and his love. I love to tell the story because I know it's true; it satisfies my longings as nothing else can do."

Scharf: The good power of God

Last month, my congregation (Abiding Grace) celebrated our 10th anniversary. And there is plenty to celebrate. In 10 years, we've grown in people, in facilities, in opportunities to serve our community and spread the word around the world - in so many different ways. Things are rocking at Abiding Grace. So, looking at that, we must be doing something right, right?

From tears to triumph

I'll admit it. I am a big college basketball fan, which means I'm loving life right here in the middle of March Madness.

Scharf: Death, on purpose

Today is Good Friday. The name seems like a misnomer when you consider that it marks the day of an execution - three in fact.

Every reason to remain in my love

Have your Mother's Day sentiments worn out yet The day was almost two weeks ago. I sure hope not. If they have, just take a moment and think about the love of a mother. As we study John 15 and hear Jesus tell us, "Remain in my love," I pray that we realize the value of that command.

Our shepherd gives us protection

"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want." Chances are, you are familiar with those words. What a comforting thought for each of us to picture ourselves as that little lamb safe in Jesus' arms. And as we read the Psalm, it quickly becomes pretty clear that that was no easy task to accomplish. Yet our shepherd has done it all. He gives us food and water, he gives us guidance. But today, I ...

Psalm 23:The Lord is my shepherd

I've never been a shepherd, at least not the kind that works with sheep of the animal variety. My experience with sheep is pretty much limited to petting zoos. I've only met one real life shepherd that I know of, and that was on an airplane. That said, why should Psalm 23 be so special to me? Have you ever wondered why this "Shepherd" Psalm is so popular in this country yet doesn't even make it on Wikipedia's list of sheep population per nation?

Scharf: Why are you troubled?

Crucifixion, stabbing, stoning, flaying, beheading - I'm describing the ways the original apostles of Jesus died. They died a variety of ways, but one thing was consistent. They died because they would not budge from their conviction on the truth of Jesus' resurrection, the power of his message, the value of their relationship with him. They were so certain of their eternity that they willingly faced death, the most gruesome of deaths, instead of denying it.

Scharf: Easter Life is the death of fear

What are you afraid of? Sickness? (What if I never recover?) Loneliness? (What if my spouse doesn't keep the promises?) Bankruptcy? (What if I'm not able to pay the bills?) Responsibility? (Will I be able to protect this child in my arms in this scary, scary world?) So what is it? I know it's something. We all have fear. But ultimately, it is all the same. Really, just about all fear boils down to the ...

Scharf: Easter — it’s in His hands

Last week, we saw how The Life of Easter is the death of fear. We read Mark 16 and saw the women who went to the tomb full of fear, and we described how Easter answered every single one of those fears.

Hear your Savior speak

Today is Good Friday. We call it "good" because of what happened that day. Jesus died, crucified at a place called Golgotha - "the skull." In church tonight (it starts at 7:30 and you are certainly welcome) we'll be focusing on the seven things we hear our Savior speak as he was being killed. Because in what he says, we see why all this happened. Tonight we'll go through all seven, but, in this article, ...

Minn. students travel to Covington to volunteer

When you think of a college spring break, is volunteering for church work the first thing on your mind?

Scharf: Hear God speak - The 10 Commandments

"I brought you into this world, and I can take you right back out of it." I don't know if he was the first to say that, but I remember hearing Bill Cosby use that line when he was talking about his parenting and discipline. He was kidding...I think. But he was making the point that there are times when you have to show your kids you're serious. You have to make them hear you. ...

Scharf: Remember who God is when he tests you

The man was asked to kill his son. Read Genesis 22. The man was asked to sacrifice his son as a burnt offering to test whether he loved God or that boy more. And what's astounding is what verse 3 tells us. Abraham got up "early in the morning" to do it.

Scharf: You are a gifted servant

"If only I..." Have you ever started a sentence like that? If only I had a little more money... If only I were a little more artistic... If only I had an opportunity like that... I can't think of any more paralyzing words. "If only" sets us up for failure.

Scharf: The Cure for “What Might Have Been”

"For of all sad words of tongue or pen, the saddest are these: It might have been." The poet John Greenleaf Whittier wrote that. While his poem spoke specifically of a lost opportunity in love, the truth of his verse extends far beyond that. We all understand the truth behind it: What a sad thing to see wasted talent, wasted resources, wasted opportunities.

'Follow Me' – You will see great things

Why? It's a classic question. Anyone who has raised children knows the power of the "why." They always want to know why, and we don't grow out of it. So last week, when we looked at Jesus saying, "Follow me," we looked at how his word gives us the power to do that. We never quite got around to asking that kindergarten question - Why?

“Follow Me” – His Word has power

If I knocked on your door and asked you if you would rather die than give up the teaching I'm ready to share with you, how would you respond? If I called you on the phone as you were eating dinner and told you to give up your home and your car and your relationships and follow me, how would that go over? I'm guessing not so well, right? I don't think I'd have too many followers.

Scharf: Take refuge in Him

They say, "Politics makes strange bedfellows." We've probably all been surprised from time to time when we see two people or groups who would normally be at each other's throats suddenly work together because they've found a common enemy.