Dane Lewis

About Dane Lewis

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So far Dane Lewis has created 676 blog entries.

Making Racism Personal

This sermon is based on James 2:8-11 . You can also view each week's sermon/worship service on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5ncsq_QNvCv61bIwKUpP5A Series Overview: Many people believe that the best way to read the Bible is to keep it at arms’ length. After all, any distance between them and having to do what the Bible says has to be a good thing. See, they prefer knowing and being rather than actually doing. We are, as Kierkegaard said, “a bunch of scheming swindlers” preferring to look the part of a Christian instead of literally putting what Jesus says into practice. But there is another way. Here’s the starting point: We need to take what Jesus says and make it personal.

The Evil Down Jubilee Street

It seems that demons are everywhere in the movies. You could even say that they are one of the rare things that occupy both Hollywood and the church equally! Consider these popular movies which “star” demons. We have The Omen, The Reckoning, and The Ring. We have Rosemary’s Baby, Jennifer’s Body and Jacob’s Ladder. Exorcisms are very popular in the movies. We have: The Exorcism, The Last Exorcism, The Exorcism of Emily Rose and My Best Friend’s Exorcism.  And let’s not forget demon movies that have developed into series. Two will have to do. First, we have The Evil Dead (an ancient Sumerian text conjures up seven movies and a TV series) and second, consider The Conjuring (three films in the original series, three more featuring Annabelle, two more featuring the Nun and one that features La Llorona—that’s a lot of conjuring!). Apparently, demon movies like one-word titles: Insidious, Sinister,

Making Justice Personal

This sermon is based on Isaiah 1:10-17. You can also view each week's sermon/worship service on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5ncsq_QNvCv61bIwKUpP5A Series Overview: Many people believe that the best way to read the Bible is to keep it at arms’ length. After all, any distance between them and having to do what the Bible says has to be a good thing. See, they prefer knowing and being rather than actually doing. We are, as Kierkegaard said, “a bunch of scheming swindlers” preferring to look the part of a Christian instead of literally putting what Jesus says into practice. But there is another way. Here’s the starting point: We need to take what Jesus says and make it personal.

Who’s Watching the Watchers

I do not like Bible movies. Let me begin by saying, I didn’t watch The Bible: In the Beginning. I also chose not to watch, “The Chosen.” “Veggie Tales” has plenty of Bible stories, but I haven’t munched on any of them. Groucho Marx supposedly said, “I'm not a vegetarian, but I eat animals who are.” Well, I’m not into “Veggie Tales,” but I know people who are; and, in my opinion, they are worse off for it (can anyone be “fine” after watching “Minnesota Cuke and the Search for Samson's Hairbrush”?). The only Bible movie that I could ever watch was The Ten Commandments, but only because Edward G. Robinson used his Little Caesar voice to say, “So, where’s your God, now, Moses?” And the reason I disliked all of these movies is the same reason I disliked Russel Crowe’s Noah—Hollywood feels they have to add things to the

Making Poverty Personal

This sermon is based on 1 John 3:16-18. You can also view each week's sermon/worship service on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5ncsq_QNvCv61bIwKUpP5A Series Overview: Many people believe that the best way to read the Bible is to keep it at arms’ length. After all, any distance between them and having to do what the Bible says has to be a good thing. See, they prefer knowing and being rather than actually doing. We are, as Kierkegaard said, “a bunch of scheming swindlers” preferring to look the part of a Christian instead of literally putting what Jesus says into practice. But there is another way. Here’s the starting point: We need to take what Jesus says and make it personal.

The Birds and the Demons

In the preface to C.S. Lewis’ classic book, The Screwtape Letters, there is a warning about how one should think about should demons in our world (or as he calls them, “devils”). Lewis writes: “There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them.” One a sliding scale, I am closer to the former option than the latter. Don’t misunderstand me. I do believe in demons, but the demons I believe in, resemble more closely those described by Lewis than those portrayed in the gospels. C.S. Lewis’ demons make sense to me because I see people tempted each and every day. When the head-demon, “Screwtape,” tells his apprentice, “Wormwood,” how to use prosperity to tempt people, I listen because this is demonic

Making Faith Personal

This sermon begins our new series, Making It Personal, and is based on James 1:22-27. You can also view each week's sermon/worship service on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5ncsq_QNvCv61bIwKUpP5A Series Overview: Many people believe that the best way to read the Bible is to keep it at arms’ length. After all, any distance between them and having to do what the Bible says has to be a good thing. See, they prefer knowing and being rather than actually doing. We are, as Kierkegaard said, “a bunch of scheming swindlers” preferring to look the part of a Christian instead of literally putting what Jesus says into practice. But there is another way. Here’s the starting point: We need to take what Jesus says and make it personal.

What Happened to the Sheets?

When Star Wars first came out, my aunt and uncle saw the movie and fell immediately in love with this great space saga. They even bought the merch to go with it, including sheets for their two sons’ twin beds. All was well in their household and everyone slept soundly dreaming of Luke and Leia and Hans and Chewy. Soon, thereafter, a friend invited my aunt to go to a revival meeting at their church. There she learned about demons and witchcraft and evil spirits and how they can prey on people’s souls today, if those people let them. And how do they let them? They open a doorway to the demonic world by dabbling in the occult and false religions. And these revival leaders said that nothing speaks more about dabbling in the dark side of the occult than Star Wars. My aunt was aghast at what she had

For by One Sacrifice

This sermon is based on Hebrews 10:11-18 . You can also view each week's sermon/worship service on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5ncsq_QNvCv61bIwKUpP5A  

Living in Time

This sermon is based on Ephesians 5:15-16. You can also view each week's sermon/worship service on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5ncsq_QNvCv61bIwKUpP5A  

A Little Christmas Story

This sermon is based on Luke 2:8-20. You can also view each week's sermon/worship service on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5ncsq_QNvCv61bIwKUpP5A SERIES OVERVIEW: I bet you know the song, “We Need a Little Christmas.” I know it, but I don’t particularly like it. And yet, I do like the idea. We absolutely need a little Christmas. See, Christmas isn’t for the big and important or the rich and powerful. It is for the little people. It’s for ordinary people, people like us, people who know we don’t measure up and can’t measure up—people who know they need grace. See, Christmas is for us because no matter how you read it, there are no “big” people on that first Christmas, but there are great little people! And that is why we all need a “little” Christmas.

The Story That Is a Question, Part 3

It is no longer a news flash: The Christmas story is not a story; it’s a question. How is that possible? Because the whole purpose of the Christmas story is to ask a question. Let me explain with a series of stories; and to help us see some connections, let me highlight two key words  The children of Israel are slaves in Egypt and have been for centuries. It is a hopeless situation, and there is no indication that anything will ever change. These people will suffer and die in Egypt, not only as individuals, but as the people of Israel. But then, God speaks to Moses out of a burning bush and calls him to go to Pharoah and say those remarkable words, “Let my people go!” And Moses goes to Pharaoh, but Pharaoh won’t budge. In fact, Moses’ confrontation only makes things worse. In a show of force, Pharaoh prohibits the

Two Little Christmases

This sermon is based on Luke 2:25-38. You can also view each week's sermon/worship service on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5ncsq_QNvCv61bIwKUpP5A SERIES OVERVIEW: I bet you know the song, “We Need a Little Christmas.” I know it, but I don’t particularly like it. And yet, I do like the idea. We absolutely need a little Christmas. See, Christmas isn’t for the big and important or the rich and powerful. It is for the little people. It’s for ordinary people, people like us, people who know we don’t measure up and can’t measure up—people who know they need grace. See, Christmas is for us because no matter how you read it, there are no “big” people on that first Christmas, but there are great little people! And that is why we all need a “little” Christmas.

The Story That Is a Question, Part 2

Everyone calls it the Christmas story. You probably call it the Christmas story. But the point of the Christmas story is that it is not a story at all. It is a question. But to see that, you have to have the right eyes. Let me explain with another story. The story of Elisha is also a question. In 2 Kings 6 we find Elisha in a difficult spot. He is a very wanted man, but not in the good sense. The king of Aram wanted him bound and gagged and forcefully brought before him. And for a very good reason. Israel and Aram were at war with each other, but every time the king of Aram made a move to gain a strategic advantage, he was thwarted.  Originally, he was sure there was a spy among his top military advisors, but they quickly set him straight. The problem was

A Big Christmas

This sermon is based on John 1:9-14. You can also view each week's sermon/worship service on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5ncsq_QNvCv61bIwKUpP5A SERIES OVERVIEW: I bet you know the song, “We Need a Little Christmas.” I know it, but I don’t particularly like it. And yet, I do like the idea. We absolutely need a little Christmas. See, Christmas isn’t for the big and important or the rich and powerful. It is for the little people. It’s for ordinary people, people like us, people who know we don’t measure up and can’t measure up—people who know they need grace. See, Christmas is for us because no matter how you read it, there are no “big” people on that first Christmas, but there are great little people! And that is why we all need a “little” Christmas.

The Story That Is a Question

Everyone calls it the Christmas story. You probably call it the Christmas story. But the point of the Christmas story is that it is not a story at all. It is a question. And, to add insult to injury, if you don’t see the question, you’ll never get the story right. And it is not a brand-new question that no one had ever thought of before. It’s been around since the very beginning, but we still fail to ask it. Sadly, we are not alone in this, but I’m getting ahead of myself. Let’s begin at the beginning.   Genesis 1 starts off with a remarkable claim. Eleven times in a chapter of thirty-one verses, we read that God spoke. It is an astounding claim. There are many who believe that God, if he even exists, is silent. But Genesis proves otherwise. Far from being silent, distant and unknowable, God comes

A Little Christmas

This sermon begins our Advent series and is based on Luke 1:46-55. You can also view each week's sermon/worship service on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5ncsq_QNvCv61bIwKUpP5A SERIES OVERVIEW: I bet you know the song, “We Need a Little Christmas.” I know it, but I don’t particularly like it. And yet, I do like the idea. We absolutely need a little Christmas. See, Christmas isn’t for the big and important or the rich and powerful. It is for the little people. It’s for ordinary people, people like us, people who know we don’t measure up and can’t measure up—people who know they need grace. See, Christmas is for us because no matter how you read it, there are no “big” people on that first Christmas, but there are great little people! And that is why we all need a “little” Christmas.

Giving Thanks, God’s Will and the Gift of Great Perspective

Carl Sandburg, the great American writer, tells a story of when he was in university. His roommate was unable to go home for the holidays, and so Sandberg invited him to come to his house. As Sandberg introduced his roommate to his hard-of-hearing aunt, he announced, "Auntie, I want you to meet my roommate, Al Specknoodle!" The aunt cupped her ear and shook her head. Carl tried again, "I want you to meet my roommate, Al Specknoodle!" The aunt frowned and shook her head again. Carl sputtered and shouted, "Al Specknoodle, my roommate!" Finally the aunt turned away and said, "It's no use, Carl. No matter how many times you say it, it still sounds like Al Specknoodle!" No matter how many times I have read Paul’s command to give thanks in all circumstances, it still sounds strange.  I don’t think I am hard-hearted, but giving thanks in all circumstances

Yes, . . . But Love and Do Not Harm

This sermon is based on Romans 13:8-10. You can also view each week's sermon/worship service on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5ncsq_QNvCv61bIwKUpP5A SERIES OVERVIEW: Quiz time. There are two questions. Which one of the following axioms is worded correctly? Love the sin; hate the sinner. Love the sin; love the sinner. Hate the sin; hate the sinner. Tell everyone we hate the sin, but privately enjoy the sin. Hate the sin when others do it; love the sin when you do it. Condemn everyone for sinning, while feeling superior because you don’t. Hate the sin; love the sinner. Which of those seven axioms are we best at doing? (Unfortunately, this is a “choose all that apply” question)? We desperately need help here. Maybe this series can provide some guidance: “Yes, . . . But Love”

Seven-In-One-No

BLOG SERIES: The RE REsearch REview “Seven-In-One-No” One of my favorite stories as a kid was “Seven-In-One-Blow.” You may know it as “The Brave Little Tailor,” but a rose by any other name is still a great story.  I’m sure you could tell it yourself (and if you can't, please don’t tell me because it would break my heart), but let me give a quick overview. An ordinary tailor finds his lunch of bread and jam rudely interrupted by a swarm of flies. Infuriated by this pesky horde of flying pestilence, he slammed his hand down to annihilate them; and to his surprise, he kills seven-in-one-blow. It was such an amazing feat that he felt he ought to commemorate it by making a belt proclaiming the accomplishment, “seven-in-one-blow.” Buttressed by this achievement, he set off into the world to seek his fortune. Of course, everyone who meets him thinks he killed seven

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