E-Flash LIVE Stream - Friday, July 10, 2026

 

Let's go behind the scenes on a terrific Sunday morning

 

Christmas and Miracles -- Christmas Eve pm -- Full message

 

Overflowing with hope -- Full message

 

If God is with you, you can be courageous

 

Rachel talks about her hair stylist and the lunch run that happened without me

 

My hope for you today

 

We are friends of God

 

God is able. Are we willing to receive?

 

Fishing with an eye out for gators!

 

Can we find some wildlife?

 

What does this mean? ...Fruit of the Spirit -- Full message

 

Can you imagine such a thing as "eternity?" -- Streamed Live

 

 

A joy that defies words

When I was a kid, we sang a hymn in church that had this line: “Joy unspeakable and full of glory.”

It’s one of those lines that I’ve never forgotten. Sometimes when I think about the subject of joy that lyric comes to mind.

It is significant to me, in part, because I love the idea of joy. Also, because it expresses a tremendous truth: it is possible to experience a joy in God that is so profound, so real and so meaningful that it is beyond our ability to put into words.

When I was an adult, I discovered that the memorable line from the old hymn was actually based on a passage of scripture, 1 Peter 1:8.

 "…Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory…”

The wonderful, mysterious beauty of music

This may not be typical.

I realize everyone will not be able to relate to this post but perhaps some of you will. One of the most extraordinary gifts God has given us is music. For me, it’s not just that certain songs move me deeply and bless my heart in inexpressible ways but some pieces of music can actually, for a moment, treat the difficult, stressful issues of life in such a way that they are gone from my mind. Forgotten.

It may brief, but the mess and struggle are replaced with profound, overwhelming beauty and joy. I don’t even know if it is normal but there are small sections of certain songs—a lick by a horn section, the beginning of a guitar solo, vocals harmonizing, a line in the lyrics—for which I have to make sure no one is looking at me when I hear it because I’m embarrassed that I have tears in my eyes.

Grown men, are not supposed to be that easily moved with emotion. Especially when they are dangerous ninjas.

Thank you Lord for the mysterious, wonderful, staggering, glorious favor you have extended to us through music.

Spending time together - Live #21

Why is joy missing?

I'm going to keep laughing...

It has occasionally been suggested that perhaps I goof around too much and do not take things seriously enough.

“You’re a pastor of a church, Dan. Come on! You should be more somber and stern. There is significant trouble in this world, buster!”

“…And you could stand to lose a few pounds, too, while you’re at it.”

But I believe laughter and humor are a gift God has given us to survive in a world that has the potential to be incredibly discouraging. I realize there is a time to be serious. However, I also realize that laughter and humor are good.

Oh sure, they can be used recklessly and insensitively. That’s true. But it is also true that they can be important aspects of the joy God gives us. Joy that is central to knowing Him. (See 1 Thessalonians 5:16)

So I hope you won’t be offended but I’m going to keep laughing, anyhow.

Can we choose to "Always be Joyful?"