Posts by Brent Clark (Page 13)
Welcome Pastor Amy Becker!
It is with great excitement that I announce the addition of a new staff position at Ashworth Road. Our new part-time Team Pastor for Missions and Outreach is Amy Becker. Amy has been the Campus Staff Minister for Intervarsity Christian Fellowship at Drake University since 2006 and has served as the Des Moines Team Leader for InterVarsity since 2011. She graduated from Drake University in 2006 with her Bachelors degree in Sociology. It doesn’t take long listening to Amy to…
Pirates Have Invaded Ashworth Road!
Pirates have invaded Ashworth Road. Every Sunday, our kids will set sail aboard the Penny Poor in search of great treasure. Kids will learn that when we follow Jesus we can become more like Him, which is the greatest treasure we could ever have. Check out these pictures from week one. \
Let’s Party!
When we think of spiritual disciplines, we usually think of work, boring, drudgery. But, when done correctly, spiritual disciplines can bring us great joy and be a great reason for celebration. In the Old Testament book of Nehemiah, the people had rebuilt the wall and began a time of spiritual renewal. It was during this time that Nehemiah and Ezra called the people to celebrate. “Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were interpreting…
Out with the Old
Many times, we talk about advancements, improvements, enhancements as if everything from “the old days” has no value in todays society. We even use the phrase, “Out with the old and in with the new.” Sometimes this is because we feel we are beyond it. We are too sophisticated now. We are so much smarter now. But all too often we throw the baby out with the bath water. I believe this to be especially true in the area of…
Get Some Rest!
Photo copyright 2004 Elaine Baird This past week, we began a new worship series at Ashworth Road entitled “The Lost Art: Recapturing spiritual disciplines that strengthen faith.” We started this with a message about Sabbath, the importance of finding times of rest. In our society, it is not uncommon for us to run ourselves ragged, way past the point of exhaustion, to show our value to an organization, to keep others from showing us up, to provide stuff we think…
A Designed World
There are some today that try to convince us that the random chance of the universe and the chaos from which everything came proves there is no God. But when I see pictures and videos like from the website linked below, I must admit I do not understand how they can miss something that seems so obvious to me. The grand design of the universe. The laws of nature, science, physics, etc. If we look, we really can see the…
Can Faith and Science Coexist?
It is not uncommon to hear people make the claim that religion and science are mutually exclusive, that in order to believe in God or Christianity, you must “check your brain at the door.” But is that true? Are all Christians nut jobs that have given up completely on all rational thought for the sake of “faith?” Or can you believe in God and Jesus Christ and still be an intelligent, rational, individual who understands how science and faith work…
A Circle of Friends
I have a friend whose son has been diagnosed with autism. He is in the 10th grade. If you met my friend’s son somewhere out in the community, you would not recognize that he has been diagnosed with autism. After you have talked with him, you would think he is different from other teenagers, but you still would not realize that he has autism. One of the many challenges my friend’s son faces is not having any friends. Can you…
When Politics Get in the Way
In a blog post earlier this week, I shared the story of Kirsten Powers, a Democratic strategist and Fox News contributor, who came to know Christ and left behind her life of agnosticism and atheism. Here is another interview Ms. Powers did about the article in Christianity Today. What I find intriguing about this interview, is what I referenced in the footnote of my previous post; our assumptions about one’s faith based on their political affiliation. Republicans don’t think Democrats…
From Agnosticism to Faith
I am always fascinated by the unique stories of how people come to know and follow Jesus Christ. As unique as we are as individuals, so are our stories of coming to faith and experiencing the overwhelming love and grace of God through Jesus Christ. I recently read a very interesting article where Kirsten Powers, a Democratic strategist and Fox News contributor, shared her experience of coming to faith in Christ through the ministry of Redeemer Presbyterian Church and Pastor…
Won’t You Be My Neighbor
This past Sunday, I had the opportunity to speak on the parable of the Good Samaritan. In studying the text, every time I read the question from the expert in religious law, “Who is my neighbor?” I was taken back to my childhood and a television show that had an impact on me and countless children for over 3 decades. So, to introduce the message, I shared this very familiar theme song with our congregation. To listen to the complete…
Compassion
Over and over in the New Testament we find Jesus moved with compassion, reaching out, healing, and loving those who were hurting, neglected, or in pain. As followers of Christ, compassion is one trait that should not be lacking in our lives. In 1 John 3:17, we read, “If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person?” (NLT) Recently, I saw a video…