Stand Up and Raise Your Heads
Stand Up and Raise Your Heads Sometimes, the forces at work can overwhelm us. What can I do about gun violence, global warming, war? Dr. Vamos reflects on the two choices offered in Luke 21:25-36. Which [...]
Contagious Kindness
Sermon by Dr. Abigail Rian Evans Sunday, November 25, 2018 https://s3.amazonaws.com/pcol-media/sermons/2018/Service+2018-11-25.mp3
Ultimate Happiness (Sermon 8)
How do human beings really find happiness? And in what does happiness consist? Can you pursue happiness, or does it "ensue" as a byproduct of some other pursuit? Dr. Vamos revisits the questions he posed [...]
What If?
Our leaders are proposing a vision for our congregation that will not be easy to implement. Accomplishing this, however, seems critical if we are to be faithful to Christ's call to our congregation in this [...]
The Upside of the Dark Side (Sermon Seven)
Aristotle was a philosopher who wrote a lot about happiness - which he often describes as living a virtuous life. But virtue is often the middle point between two extremes. So for example, courage isn't [...]
Let the Little Children Come to Me (Sermon Six)
There's a story––one of many––in which people begin to crowd around Jesus. In this particular story, these people are parents who are bringing their children to Jesus so that he might bless them. The disciples [...]
Second Nature (Sermon Five)
Can we live a happy and flourishing life if we're not living a virtuous life? What is virtue from a Christian perspective, and how do we develop it? In this fifth sermon in the series, "Living [...]
The Way of Forgiveness (Sermon Four)
As Christians, the need to practice forgiveness could not be more clear in Scripture. But what exactly is forgiveness? We know forgiveness when we feel it, but defining itis often much more difficult. Does positive psychology [...]
Learned Helplessness, Learned Hope (Sermon Three)
The standard disclaimer for various mutual fund advertisements: "Past performance does not guarantee future results." But spiritually--and psychologically--our past experiences are highly determinative of our future ones; they condition our choices. In this sermon, Dr. [...]
Paying Attention (Sermon Two)
Sermon two in the series, "Living Abundantly: Christian Practices for Cultivating the Flourishing Life" Important note: Before listening to this sermon, you are encouraged to watch this video, which is about selective attention. It will take [...]
Tending Our Garden (Sermon One)
Sermon one in the series, "Living Abundantly: Christian Practices for Cultivating the Flourishing Life" Can Christian faith make us happy? Can you even pursue happiness? Or does happiness have to happen? In this introductory sermon to the [...]
Living Abundantly: Christian Practices for Cultivating a Flourishing Life
Soren Kierkegaard once wrote, "Life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced." Is Christian faith more about solving the problem of sin, or the adventure of living a happy [...]
Grace Not Grievance; Victor Not Victim
How easy is it for our resentment to solidify into self-righteousness and the desire to even the scales? Dr. Vamos explores a story about a woman who was insulted, by none other than Jesus, but [...]
Gracious Talk
"Stick and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me..." We've all heard the old nursery rhyme, but it really isn't true, is it? Words, and the ways in which we use them, [...]
What Are You Wearing?
According to the author of Colossians, we are to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. These are tough traits to put into practice, let alone live out. But notice, we are told to "clothe [...]
Weathering the Storms of Fear
Fear is a biological barometer in our lives. It warns us when we are in danger. But what happens when fear takes over? When does fear overtake you? How does our fear hinder our faith? [...]
Have a Seat
Jesus said: "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty." But, what does that mean!? Jesus is getting at something which [...]
Great Was Artemis of the Ephesians
All that remains of the great Temple of Artemis, one of the seven great wonders of the world. Paul's preaching of the gospel was having an impact on the ancient city of Ephesus [...]