Carranza is the name of a neighborhood community, or colonia, in Mexicali, Mexico. Our church began a relationship, a partnership really, with the Mt. Sinai Baptist Church congregation in 1992. Dale Payne, who was youth pastor of our church from 1991 to 2002, established this partnership with the church in order to involve the youth… Continue Reading
Prayer is an unnatural activity. From birth, we learn the rules of self-reliance as we strain and struggle toward independence, and frankly, prayer flies in the face of all that. It is an assault on human autonomy, an indictment on self-sufficient living. To people like me, who are fond of racing down the fast lane,… Continue Reading
1 Samuel 31 The Death of Saul 1(DF) Now the Philistines fought against Israel, and the men of Israel fled before the Philistines and fell slain(DG) on Mount Gilboa. 2And the Philistines overtook Saul and his sons, and the Philistines struck down(DH) Jonathan and(DI) Abinadab and Malchi-shua, the sons of Saul. 3(DJ) The battle pressed… Continue Reading
1 Samuel 29 The Philistines Reject David 1(BM) Now the Philistines had gathered all their forces at(BN) Aphek. And the Israelites were encamped by(BO) the spring that is in(BP) Jezreel. 2As(BQ) the lords of the Philistines were passing on by hundreds and by thousands, and David and his men were passing on in the rear(BR)… Continue Reading
Excerpt from the dramatization: Do you understand the lesson of Exodus yet? We are lost, we are undone. We are all undone. And we need a Redeemer. We need the true lamb of sacrifice. We need a Great High Priest. Do you understand how strange it is for me to be telling you the rest… Continue Reading
1 Samuel 27 David Flees to the Philistines 1Then David said in his heart, “Now I shall perish one day by the hand of Saul. There is nothing better for me than that I should escape to the land of the Philistines. Then Saul will despair of seeking me any longer within the borders of… Continue Reading
1 Samuel 26 David Spares Saul Again 1(A) Then the Ziphites came to Saul at Gibeah, saying, “Is not David hiding himself on the hill of Hachilah, which is on the east of Jeshimon?” 2So Saul arose and went down to(B) the wilderness of Ziph with(C) three thousand chosen men of Israel to seek David… Continue Reading
1 Samuel 25 The Death of Samuel 1(EP) Now Samuel died. And all Israel assembled(EQ) and mourned for him, and they buried him(ER) in his house at(ES) Ramah. David and Abigail Then David rose and went down to(ET) the wilderness of Paran. 2And there was a man in(EU) Maon whose business was in(EV) Carmel. The… Continue Reading
1 Samuel 23 David Saves the City of Keilah 1Now they told David, “Behold, the Philistines are fighting against(CV) Keilah and are robbing the threshing floors.” 2Therefore David(CW) inquired of the LORD, “Shall I go and attack these Philistines?” And the LORD said to David, “Go and attack the Philistines and save Keilah.” 3But David’s… Continue Reading
1 Samuel 21 David and the Holy Bread 1[h] Then David came to(BJ) Nob to(BK) Ahimelech the priest. And Ahimelech(BL) came to meet David trembling and said to him, “Why are you alone, and no one with you?” 2And David said to Ahimelech the priest, “The king has charged me with a matter and said… Continue Reading