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Shades MidweekEpisode 179 - Andy Wulff & Mason Phillips Of Hope ChurchThis week we interviewed our friends Andy Wulff and Mason Phillips from Hope Church in Madison, Alabama. Andy serves as the Lead Pastor and Mason is the Pastoral Intern at Hope Church. Hope is one of three EFCA churches in the state of Alabama. Andy also hosts a podcast called Comparing Notes that you can stream anywhere!
Find out more about Hope Church
Contact Us: midweek@shadesvalley.org
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JM's Album Of The Week: Wilco - Cousin
Bradford's Book Club (Jonathan's Pick): Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy...
2023-10-1857 min
HopeInMadisonGospel GiftsFor as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. - Romans 12:4–5 (ESV)Internet quizzes are weird. I've never really wanted to know what 'character from Star Wars' I am, or how my pronunciation identifies my background, or what vegetable matches my personality. If there was one that helped me identify what part of the body of Christ I am, I might take it. However, I fear it might finally verify that I'm a nose hair or...
2019-03-2500 minHopeInMadisonFrom Theology to PracticeI appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. - Romans 12:1–2 (ESV)A lot of us are pretty squeamish when it comes to blood. It freaks us out. Some of us even faint at the sight of it. I'm not sure how devoted we would be...
2019-03-1800 minHopeInMadisonFrom Theology to DoxologyOh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?” “Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?” For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen. - Romans 11:33–36 (ESV)Did you grow up singing the Doxology in church? If you didn't (and want to figure out what I'm talking about) or if you want to hear a beautiful version ch...
2019-03-1100 minHopeInMadisonThe Future and Fate of Israel - Part 3Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written, “The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob” - Romans 11:25–26 (ESV)Do you love a good mystery? Maybe when you think about mysteries your favorite detective character comes to mind. Maybe when you think of mystery you think of some event or place that has secrets like the py...
2019-03-0400 minHopeInMadisonThe Future and Fate of Israel - Part 2So I ask, did they stumble in order that they might fall? By no means! Rather, through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous. Now if their trespass means riches for the world, and if their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusion mean! - Romans 11:11–12 (ESV)Have you ever seen one of those pictures that is made up of a bunch of miniature pictures. Each smaller picture makes up a pixel of the larger image. Depending on what medium you are viewing it in, you can zo...
2019-02-2500 minHopeInMadisonThe Future and Fate of Israel - Part 1So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace. - Romans 11:5–6 (ESV)Do you trust the promises of God? Do you ever fear that you might do something to screw up God's gifts to you? Maybe, He might renege. Maybe I'll cross a line from which there is no return. Maybe God will finally get fed up with my disloyalty and find someone better. Have you had any of these thoughts? I have.Looking at...
2019-02-1800 minHopeInMadisonHow to have a Gospel pedicureHow then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” -- Romans 10:14–15 (ESV)Maybe your feet look better then mine, but I would not point to them as my most attractive feature. Paul says that feet can be beautiful, not because they are neatly groomed, polished, or accented. He cal...
2019-02-1100 minHopeInMadisonHow not to be a zealotFor I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. - Romans 10:2–4 (ESV)When you think of an 'on fire' Christian what does he/she look like? Often those that are new to Christianity are not just as 'saved' but 'SAVED, SAVED!' They are busy with the disciplines, telling people about Christ, and rooting out sin in ev...
2019-02-0400 minHopeInMadisonThe Problem with Predestination - Part 3You will say to me then, “Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?” But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?” - Romans 9:19–20 (ESV)Job is one of the most comforting and terrifying books in the Bible. In it we see God's control over all things. We see his power to both restrain and allow hardship, difficulty, and evil. We also see the very limited human struggle of trying to make sense of it all.It is human and...
2019-01-2800 minHopeInMadisonThe Problem with Predestination - Part 2But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” - Romans 9:6–7 (ESV)Struggling to understand God's purpose, plan, and predestination is not unusual. In fact I expect it. Many people over the centuries have. One of those was a British Monk named Pelagus in the 4th century. His story and objections provide us some insight not only into church history but the orthodox boundaries of the debate...
2019-01-2100 minHopeInMadisonThe Problem with Predestination - Part 1I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit—that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh.- Romans 9:1–3 (ESV)When it comes to Romans 9-11 many people want to skip over it. It deals with a few subjects that can be not only difficult to understand but controversial. The outline and explanations of God's work in salvation in Romans 1-8 lay...
2019-01-1400 minHopeInMadisonRomans 1 to 8 RecapFor those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. - Romans 8:29–30 (ESV)When it comes to cars there are people that want to know all the specs and there are those that just want it to run. (The details of horsepower, fuel injection, compression ration, head pressure, and gear ratio are music to some people's ears. To ot...
2019-01-0700 minHopeInMadisonAbound in the work of the LordTherefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. - 1 Cor 15:58
2018-12-3100 minHopeInMadisonLoveIn this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. - 1 John 4:10–11 (ESV)What part of Christmas celebrations are you most looking forward to? Receiving presents? Giving presents? Spending time with family and friends? We all desire to be loved, especially around Christmas time, but we want that love expressed in different ways for it to seem meaningful to us. Some people call this your 'love language'.Built into Advent is tr...
2018-12-2400 minHopeInMadisonJoyThough you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. - 1 Peter 1:8–9 (ESV)The angels told the shepherds that their message was 'Good news with great joy.' We throw around the word 'joy' in our decorations and songs of the season, but what is 'joy'? Is it the warm feelings and happiness that we are to find in this season? Does it come from the gifts or ce...
2018-12-1400 minHopeInMadisonPeaceAnd suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” - Luke 2:13–14 (ESV)During this season we see the word 'Peace' beautifully adorned cards and pictures. We echo the words of angels as we sing about peace. We watch the peaceful snow-covered scenes in the movies of the season. We fantasize about experiencing those moments in one of the most frantic, busy, stress-filled times of the year. What ever happened to Peace on Earth?This week as we...
2018-12-0900 minHopeInMadisonHope in 2018 and BeyondTherefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. - Acts 20:26–28 (ESV)How many churches did you pass in your travel yesterday or today? I bet for most of us we would have a hard time counting or remembering. In some places they seem to be ar...
2018-12-0200 minHopeInMadisonA Sure Hope in a World of SufferingFor I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. - Romans 8:18–19 (ESV)One of the biggest obstacles for many when considering Christianity is the pain and suffering that we see around us. Globally we see and read about famines, wars, or worse. But most of us identify with this painful world in much more personal ways. Our lives seem like a trail of suffering and pain punctuated with only brief, fl...
2018-11-1200 minHopeInMadisonFrom Debtor to Son to HeirFor you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. - Romans 8:15–17 (ESV)Adoption is a concept that is personal to me. I'm a second generation product of adoption. My mother was adopted. I can't imagine what her life wou...
2018-11-0500 minHopeInMadisonMission SundayThe Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.” - Matthew 11:19 (ESV)It's instructive to me the people that Jesus counted as friends. They were a motley crew. Most of the religious people didn't want to be associated with them. They were from the bad parts of town and had major problems. But Jesus called them friends.In contrast, we often see 'those people' as folks who need our help. We 'do ministry' to them and for th...
2018-10-2800 minHopeInMadisonNo Condemnation - Part 2You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. - Romans 8:9–10 (ESV)Most Christians don't really know what to do with the Holy Spirit. We believe that the supernatural exists, but most of the time we sequester this supernatural to the spectacular (or spooky) either in the pursuit or denial of it. The wo...
2018-10-2100 minHopeInMadisonNo Condemnation - Part 1There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. - Romans 8:1–2 (ESV)In chapter 7 of Romans, we are exposed to the personal and universal struggle of every Christian with sin. While the war is over and Christ has defeated Satan, sin, and death, there is still a battle that rages in every Christian. And while the chapter ends with a triumphant note, we may want to hear more of that song.Enter Romans 8. In th...
2018-10-1400 minHopeInMadisonLaw and Gospel - The Law for the RedeemedSo I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. - Romans 7:21–23 (ESV)I believe that God's word is completely true. God doesn't lie. However, if I'm honest, there are passages that I read that just don't match up with my experience or my feelings. When Paul says Ro...
2018-10-0700 minHopeInMadisonLaw and Gospel - The Law for the LawlessBut sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness. For apart from the law, sin lies dead. I was once alive apart from the law, but when the commandment came, sin came alive and I died. The very commandment that promised life proved to be death to me. - Romans 7:8–10 (ESV)We are confused about what part God's law is to play in our personal and public lives. One example that has caused controversy especially in Alabama is the posting of the 10 Commandments. These clear unshifting delineations of God's standards stand in contrast to ou...
2018-09-3000 minHopeInMadisonLaw and Gospel - The Law for the LegalistLikewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God. - Romans 7:4 (ESV)Christians think of themselves as 'law & order' folks. Not the show as much as the attitude. Generally, politically we are for an active civil government that legislates and enforces order. We are positive about the police and we see the system set up as generally just. Anarchy is something to be feared and stopped.So when we...
2018-09-2300 minHopeInMadisonSlaves of GodDo you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. - Romans 6:16–18 (ESV)One of Martin Luther's most notable quotes is 'Love God and sin boldly.' This has been used from se...
2018-09-1600 minHopeInMadisonUnited to Christ - Part 2We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. - Romans 6:9–11 (ESV)We doubt if anybody can really change. This doubt is driven not by what we know about others but what we know about ourselves. It seems as much as we try, resolve, plan, and seek help, change is an elusive ch...
2018-09-0900 minHopeInMadisonUnited to Christ - Part 1Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. - Romans 6:3–4 (ESV)How do you grow in your Christian walk? To answer that question many of us will run to habit, methods, studies, lists, and actions. We see our Christian life as something that comes out of us. When we falter, fail, don't achieve, or...
2018-09-0200 minHopeInMadisonJohn 17“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me." - John 17:20–21 (ESV)I sometimes wonder what would happen if the Apostle Paul stepped out of a time machine. What would he think of the church culture? Would he be encouraged or discouraged? What New Testament letter would he demand we go read? Would he wonder how...
2018-08-2600 minHopeInMadisonPortraits of the ChurchFor we are God's fellow workers. You are God's field, God's building. - 1 Corinthians 3:9 (ESV)There is a new classification of folks that have been identified in the church world - the de-churched. These are people who have been to church, maybe were even a part, but now have left. Asking these folks to return is a big ask. Often this is because they have been hurt by something or someone. Or they look at the news and read about the scandals. Or they didn't see anything of value in giving of their time, energy, and money to an organization...
2018-08-1900 minHopeInMadisonDeath in Adam - Life in Christ - Part 2Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous. --- Romans 5:18–19 (ESV)You can say that the story of the Bible is the story of two people. These two representatives are the head of two humanities, but they are not the same story. They go in opposite, unequal directions. Their stories define our story.This week we take a second look at Ro...
2018-08-1200 minHopeInMadisonDeath in Adam - Life in Christ - Part 1For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ. Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men.--- Romans 5:17–18 (ESV)Personal responsibility is a cornerstone of most of our thinking. 'I am responsible for me. I determine my success or failure. I am the captain of my own ship.' We might even be frustrated with th...
2018-08-0600 minHopeInMadisonA CrossroadsThe LORD says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.” The LORD sends forth from Zion your mighty scepter. Rule in the midst of your enemies! --- Psalm 110:1–2 (ESV)Our culture has a very limited picture of Jesus, doesn't it? He's the guy in a stain glass window. He's the one with a lamb around his shoulders. He's the kind teacher with a child sitting on his lap. He's the wandering peasant telling interesting moral stories to those around him. How well do these cultural versions explain the Christ of the scriptures?This w...
2018-07-3000 min2018-07-2300 minHopeInMadisonPsalm 24Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD?And who shall stand in his holy placeHe who has clean hands and a pure heartwho does not lift up his soul to what is falseand does not swear deceitfully. -- Psalm 24:3–4 (ESV)Do you ever feel like you can't come and worship God? Maybe you had a bad week. Maybe a specific sin seems to be undefeatable this week. Maybe life seems so tiring and suffocating that worship feels like one more thing.In Psalm 24, the Psalmist asks a honest, penetrating question. Who can come and stand in the presence of a...
2018-07-1500 minHopeInMadisonPsalm 72Give the king your justice, O Godand your righteousness to the royal son!May he judge your people with righteousness,and your poor with justice!Let the mountains bear prosperity for the people,and the hills, in righteousness! -- Psalm 72:1–3 (ESV)I'm not an overly political person. And we have purposely not made Hope a political organization. We want the gospel to be the resounding message not any political side. Ultimately, we are not looking to make a voting block but people that bow first and foremost to a king.But that doesn't mean that God has nothing to say ab...
2018-07-0800 minHopeInMadisonBlessings for SinnersBlessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven,whose sin is covered.Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity,and in whose spirit there is no deceit. -- Psalm 32:1–2 (ESV)In the Christian world we tend to have two opposite reactions to our own sin and guilt. Sometimes we try to hide, cover, and dismiss it. We might just treat it as difficulties, mistakes, or personality quirks. We choose to cover it with politeness thinking that we shouldn't discuss such things. Ignore it and it will go away. Right?The other option in the Christian world se...
2018-07-0100 minHopeInMadisonForsaken but ForgivenMy God, my God, why have you forsaken me?Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, and by night, but I find no rest. -- Psalm 22:1–2 (ESV)Have you ever felt like God was distant or unavailable to you? Like he forgot who you were or what you needed? Maybe it was in a moment that you needed his help the most. What did you do? What did you pray?One thing I like about the Psalms is the honesty of em...
2018-06-2400 minHopeInMadisonEnter the KingClap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy! For the LORD, the Most High, is to be feared, a great king over all the earth. -- Psalm 47:1–2 (ESV)What do you consider worshipful? Maybe a quiet time of reflection. Maybe it's a loud excited melody. Maybe it's an old familiar hymn. Maybe it's a scripture read clearly. Often times our definitions are colored by the times and experiences where we felt close to God. We associate those times and the feelings we had with the truest expression of worship.But this Psalm pushes us to ex...
2018-06-1700 minHopeInMadisonThe Day the LORD MadeThe stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.This is the LORD's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. -- Psalm 118:22–24 (ESV)The Psalms are a curious mix of tears and cries of vengeance and beauty and devastation and hope and failure and longing. This week we are going to take a look at Psalm 118 in our series, Songs of A Savior. In it the Psalmist feels the press of his enemies and the need to retreat to the safety of th...
2018-06-1000 minHopeInMadisonPsalm 14The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is none who does good.The LORD looks down from heaven on the children of man, to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God. -- Psalm 14:1–2 (ESV)Fools are easy to point out and laugh at but harder to see, especially in the mirror. The Bible is brutally honest about the world around us and the struggle within us, but it also shows us the only refuge from them both.This week we are going to look at anothe...
2018-06-0300 minHopeInMadisonBeware the Sonhy do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against his Anointed, saying, “Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.” - Psalm 2:1–3 (ESV)Political instability, war on the horizon, the potential for devastation and an end to our way of life. Is this a description of our moment in history? Actually it could be used to talk about many times and ages. In many ages these words would be a more apt description than today. Howeve...
2018-05-2700 minHopeInMadisonFrom Theology to Life and Back Again - Part 2For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. - Romans 5:6–8 (ESV)Suffering, pain, and anxiety are a pressure cooker. In those times, days, and years we feel the weight of life. At times it can be hard to do anything. These moments bring many questions. Why? Has God forgotten about me? Does He care? Don't...
2018-05-2000 minHopeInMadisonFrom Theology to Life and Back Again - Part 1Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. - Romans 5:1–2 (ESV)We often think of theology as an academic study disconnected from real life. Big books and ivory towers are what theologians use and where they live, but those of us that live in the real world we just want something we can do. We need a principle for Monday on Sunday.Paul won't le...
2018-05-1300 minHopeInMadisonStop, Drop, and RollJesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. - Luke 10:30 (ESV)One thing that amazes me about Jesus is his ability to see through all the smoke screens that people would put up especially religious people. Religious folk, like us, are great at using our faith as a shield to avoid love and action. The parable of the Good Samaritan is a great example of that kind of deflection.This week we have the privilege to have John Gerhardt with us...
2018-05-0600 minHopeInMadisonThe Nature of FaithThat is why his faith was “counted to him as righteousness.” But the words “it was counted to him” were not written for his sake alone, but for ours also. - Romans 4:22–24 (ESV)Have you ever doubted your faith? What made you doubt? What did you do with those doubts? Have you ever talked about them? Often in the church we treat doubt with disapproving frown and even scold people for asking questions.Some think this is the right thing to do because we should have solid, sold-out faith. In fact the passage that we are going to look at in Romans...
2018-04-2900 minHopeInMadisonJustification - A Case StudyAnd to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness,Romans 4:5 (ESV)Recently, I've had a little bit of "windshield time." During these drives I enjoy listening to podcasts especially those that explore a story. My most recent listen involved an experiment to understand the most complex issue involved in space travel, humans. This case study explored the interactions of six people simulating life on Mars for a full year by being sequestered to a living space no bigger then a two-car garage. Sound fun? These case studies...
2018-04-2200 minHopeInMadisonJustification - Part 2the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, - Romans 3:22–24 (ESV)If I was born in a different age I think I would have been either a mad scientist or a crazy inventor. It is fun for me to figure out how things work, take them apart, and put them back together. (Usually, I can get them back together).There is a...
2018-04-1500 minHopeInMadisonJustification - Part 1the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, - Romans 3:22–24 (ESV)If I was born in a different age I think I would have been either a mad scientist or a crazy inventor. It is fun for me to figure out how things work, take them apart, and put them back together. (Usually, I can get them back together).There is a...
2018-04-0800 minHopeInMadisonWho is this Jesus?But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. - Matthew 28:5–6 (ESV)The resurrection displays the satisfaction of God in the sacrifice of Christ. It shows His power over Satan, sin, and death. This Sunday we will celebrate that we worship a risen Christ! We will be looking at Matthew's account in Matthew 28:1-10.
2018-04-0100 minHopeInMadisonTenebrae 2018And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. - Luke 23:33 (ESV)We will have our annual Tenebrae service. This is a somber service filled with scripture, music, and readings. The solemnity of this service sets the stage for the celebration of the resurrection.
2018-03-3000 minHopeInMadisonEnter the KingAnd the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?” And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.” - Matthew 21:9–11 (ESV)Our world and the Biblical world are separated by time, geography, and culture. It's hard for us to read our Bibles and understand them sometimes because of the distance. We have tried at times to bridge that ga...
2018-03-2500 minHopeInMadisonLessons from a Broken HeartTruly God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled, my steps had nearly slipped. For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.- Psalm 73:1–3 (ESV)Is there really any profit to being good? Following God seems like a thankless, difficult, unprofitable path sometimes. It seems easier, less painful, and frankly more fun to be bad. Especially in difficult times it's easy to feel this way.This Sunday our friend, Byron Yawn from CBC Nashville will be in town to teach us...
2018-03-2400 minHopeInMadisonFinal Verdict“None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.”Romans 3:10–12 (ESV)Are you a half-empty or half-full kind of person? Are you an optimist or pessimist? Reading through Romans 1-3 you would think that Paul is a pessimist? The picture isn't pretty on any side when he considers mankind. However, I don't think he would have seen himself as a pessimist but a realist. He's not positive or negative, he's just describing what is.This week we finish up the fi...
2018-03-1100 minHopeInMadisonFAQ - JudgmentThen what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? Much in every way. To begin with, the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God. -- Romans 3:1–2 (ESV)Romans 2 is rough if you are self-righteous or Jewish. Paul has been cutting off any possible escape routes for these individuals from the wrath of God. Nothing is going to save them - not their morals, or their knowledge, or ethnicity, or their ceremony. It is a full assault with no retreat.All of this raises a few questions. Didn't God choose the Jews as His people? Was th...
2018-03-0500 minHopeInMadisonI'm God's FavoriteFor no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.Romans 2:28–29 (ESV)'God Bless You' says an anonymous stranger after I blew out a thunderous sneeze. It's a weird custom, but in polite company you hear it still uttered. Did you know it has odd, even superstitious origins? In the Middle Ages people had a much more active view of the supernatural world. Fo...
2018-02-2600 minHopeInMadisonI Know More Than YouFor all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified.Romans 2:12–13 (ESV)I Know > YouWe are Bible-people. While others have abandoned God's Word, we have clutched it tight! We believe it is God's inherent, infallible word to us. We believe that in its pages God is revealed. We believe that it provides for us everything we need for li...
2018-02-1800 minHopeInMadisonMe Greater Than YouMe > YouTherefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. - Romans 2:1 (ESV)This is the equation we live out most of the time. We live on a sliding scale of righteousness. We compare ourselves to those around us and somehow we always seem to end up on the better, cleaner, holier side of the scale. This is a church-people problem, but it actually has ancient roots. This week we step into Romans 2. In this chapter, Paul continues...
2018-02-1100 minHopeInMadisonWrath RevealedFor the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. - Romans 1:18–19 (ESV)You go to see the doctor. Over the course of the last few months you have been plagued with chronic stomach issues. Some days are better, but most end in pain and nausea. Alongside these symptoms, you have a pulsing headache most of the time. Your feet seem to go numb occasionally. As you describe your sy...
2018-02-0400 minHopeInMadisonUnashamedFor I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” -- Romans 1:16–17 (ESV)Have you ever been ashamed of your faith? Maybe not outright shame, but maybe just a bit of hiding? Unwilling to mention it or make it an issue? Have you hoped that someone didn't bring up religion so you that you weren't obligated to enter...
2018-01-2800 min2018-01-2100 minHopeInMadisonThe Gospel for ChristiansFor I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you—that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine. -- Romans 1:11–12 (ESV)We often think of the gospel as something we need to share with unbelievers. It is the message through which they find peace with God. It's the story of the life, death, and resurrection of Christ and the implication and application of His actions. This is the message that unbelievers need.But what about Christians? They already know and believe this message. What furt...
2018-01-1400 minHopeInMadisonGospel IntroductionsTo all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. -- Romans 1:7 (ESV)This Sunday we begin the book of Romans. To be honest, I'm both scared and excited. I'm scared because this book stands out among the New Testament books not only because of it's size, but also because of its depth and scope. To tackle something of it's magnitude is scary. I want to get it right.I'm also excited. To hear Paul describe and expound God and His...
2018-01-0800 minHopeInMadisonInto EternityAnd he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” Revelation 21:5 (ESV)Only 360 shopping days left until Christmas. Wait!?! What!?! We just made it through another holiday season. We can't start talking about the next one. We are still in our holiday haze. We have to have a little time to recover, right?Often when we get by Christmas we feel like it was fun, but it's time to move on. Pull down the tree. Stash the lights. Turn off the Christma...
2018-01-0100 minHopeInMadisonInto Bethlehem“Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares the LORD. -- Jeremiah 31:31–32 (ESV)What are your expectations this Christmas? Whether it is a meal, a gift, an experience, or a magical moment, we tend to have great expectations of what our holiday celebrations will...
2017-12-2500 minHopeInMadisonInto JerusalemNow when the king lived in his house and the LORD had given him rest from all his surrounding enemies, the king said to Nathan the prophet, “See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells in a tent.” And Nathan said to the king, “Go, do all that is in your heart, for the LORD is with you.” --2 Samuel 7:1–3 (ESV) 'Christmas is about family.' There are even songs about it, about how everyone needs to go home for the holidays. One of the things that most of us look forward to is time to...
2017-12-1800 minHopeInMadisonOn SinaiAnd Moses summoned all Israel and said to them, “Hear, O Israel, the statutes and the rules that I speak in your hearing today, and you shall learn them and be careful to do them. The LORD our God made a covenant with us in Horeb. Not with our fathers did the LORD make this covenant, but with us, who are all of us here alive today. -- Deuteronomy 5:1–3 (ESV)Some people have funny 'rules' or traditions for Christmas. I knew one family that made all their kids brush their teeth and then drink a full glass of orange juice befo...
2017-12-1000 minHopeInMadisonOut of UrAnd behold, the word of the LORD came to him: “This man shall not be your heir; your very own son shall be your heir.” And he brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” And he believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness. -- Genesis 15:4–6 (ESV)Just 24 days till Christmas. The countdown is on. Like no other time of the year, there is an anticipation built into the season. We all have different traditions that build tow...
2017-12-0300 minHopeInMadisonIn The GardenTherefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned—for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law. - Romans 5:12–13 (ESV)Christmas time is nostalgic. We pull out decorations from years gone by. We listen to music from people and genres from years ago. We eat those secret family recipes. We rehearse memories of days gone by.One of the anchors of this nostalgia is the story of Christmas. We think back...
2017-11-2600 minHopeInMadisonFearlessFor this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, - 2 Timothy 1:6–8 Fear is a crippling enemy. When we look around our world and we fear the threats that seem to be coming to our doorstep. We look inside and we fe...
2017-11-1700 minHopeInMadisonThis is UsI thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. -- Philippians 1:3-6 (ESV)How do you feel about your spiritual life? I’ve never heard anyone answer this question with a fully positive answer. We might be frustrated with our lack of prayer or bible reading. We...
2017-11-0600 minHopeInMadisonBeyond the Sacred Secular DivideBut you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.--1 Peter 2:9-10 (ESV)Who's the holiest person you can think of (and don’t give the Sunday School answer of "Jesus")? What do they do? Where is the holiest place you can think of? What kind of place is it...
2017-10-3000 minHopeInMadisonThe Theology of Glory vs The Theology of the CrossFor the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. -- 1 Corinthians 1:18 (ESV)What is your proudest achievement? What would you want to let everyone know about you? Would it be a project you worked on? Or an athletic achievement? Or some problem you solved? Or something you invented? We are taught from a young age to achieve and be proud of it. We wear it as our identity.What if what you were known for was a notorious event? What if instead of...
2017-10-2200 minHopeInMadisonSinner and SaintFor I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. --Romans 7:22-23 (ESV)Edwin Star famously asked the question in his 1970 lyric ‘War, what is it good for?’ His conclusion was ‘nothing’. Is that how you think of your Christian life? It’s a war which ain’t good for nothin! Maybe you see that war as one with the combating forces outside of you and with the battlefront...
2017-10-1600 minHopeInMadisonLaw and GospelFor God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. Romans 8:3-4(ESV)A few years ago the easiest way to display your Christianity was to wear a rubberized bracelet with the letters WWJD stamped into it. It was meant for people to live constantly with the question, ‘What would Je...
2017-10-0900 minHopeInMadisonJust by Faith AloneFor in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” Romans 1:17(ESV)You might say that the central question of the reformation is how will we, as sinful creatures, be reconciled with a completely holy God. The medieval answer took the work of Christ and mixed it with our own work to create a rickety bridge back to God. But for those who were honest with themselves, this bridge would not hold the weight of their guilt. Luther was someone plagued by these honest doubts. Even after beco...
2017-10-0200 minHopeInMadisonNo Other GospelI am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.Galatians 1:6-7 (ESV)If you were to pick one book of the Bible that propelled the Reformation forward it would be Galatians. It was a lighting bolt that shot through Martin Luther and the thunder that resulted echoed across Europe.Next week we will begin our series looking into Luther's teachings, but this week yo...
2017-09-2400 minHopeInMadisonGrace and Fire - Part 2Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! --2 Peter 3:11-12 (ESV)Doctrine is contained in thick, dusty books located in the back of libraries far away from everyday life. It’s great for seminary students and professors but unnecessary for real people. Be honest. Is that how you think of doctrine? My gu...
2017-09-1700 minHopeInMadisonGrace and Fire - Part 1But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. 2 Peter 3:10(ESV)From the eclipse to the fires to the hurricanes, I’ve heard more theories, ideas, predictions, and fear about the end times then in my recent memory. Some even come with an extra side of bad theology, and others tend to use the Bible more like a Nostradamus prediction. Most severely lack a cl...
2017-09-1000 minHopeInMadisonGrace to the End - Part 2. . . knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” --2 Peter 3:3-4 (ESV)The BIG one is coming!!! We are told that something will end life as we know it. Global climate change, a super-virus, shortages of food or energy, and even a zombie outbreak have all been cautioned about. What is out of vogue is to think that God is t...
2017-09-0300 minHopeInMadisonGrace to the End - Part1. . . knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” --2 Peter 3:3-4 (ESV)Talking about eschatology brings out all sorts of different ideas and emotions. Some people are excited to figure out the puzzle. Some start scanning the headlines. Some begin to question and fear that they are not ready. Some are hoping it doesn’t come anytime soon because they h...
2017-08-2700 minHopeInMadisonPortrait of a False TeacherBut these, like irrational animals, creatures of instinct, born to be caught and destroyed, blaspheming about matters of which they are ignorant, will also be destroyed in their destruction, suffering wrong as the wage for their wrongdoing. They count it pleasure to revel in the daytime. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their deceptions, while they feast with you. -- 2 Peter 2:12-13 (ESV)'Your words are so foolishly and ignorantly composed that I cannot believe you understand them.''You are a bungling magpie, croaking loudly.'Martin LutherWhen I first encountered Martin Luther's insults I was conflicted. I didn't know...
2017-08-2000 minHopeInMadisonFire and Brimstone and Graceif he did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a herald of righteousness, with seven others, when he brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly; -- 2 Peter 2:5 (ESV)I’ve always found it odd the way we have treated the flood. The images we produce of orderly lines of animals queuing up for their place on board, or we have a bearded Noah topside with the giraffe heads popping out. These cute, family-approved, nursery-appropriate shots give us warm fuzzies like the story is about a day out on the water with Noah and his menagerie.However, th...
2017-08-1400 minHopeInMadisonGrace Under FireBut false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. -- 2 Peter 2:1(ESV)‘Heresy’ probably brings weird pictures to your mind. People being burned at the stake. Formal trials over ideas or doctrines. Arguments over things that seem antiquated or ridiculous. Those all probably feel buried somewhere in the dusty halls of history, so these verses may seem like an echo from a bygone time. However, Peter won’t allow us to relegate them to the...
2017-08-0600 minHopeInMadisonParables on Prayer - Part 2He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ -- Luke 18:2-3 (ESV)How high do your prayers go? Like day-old balloons they seem to float only as high as our energy and then sink again. When we feel this way repeatedly, we can be discouraged and wonder if it is even worth it to pray. It’s in these moments we need to learn from a needy woman and godless judge. J...
2017-07-3000 minHopeInMadisonParables on Prayer - Part 1And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. -- Luke 18:1 (ESV)‘How’s your prayer life?’ It’s a question that turns discipleship groups silent and makes community groups find a rabbit trail faster then a hungry coyote. I’ve never met anyone that answered that question with a positive answer. We always feel we should pray more. We should pray with more consistency. We should pray longer. We should pray with less distraction.This Sunday we are going to look at prayer from the parables. I’ve been praying this...
2017-07-2300 minHopeInMadisonBanquet for the Beggars"When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return and you be repaid. But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just." -- Luke 14:12-14 (ESV)Have you signed up yet for "Dinners for 8" or have gone to one? Have you a dinner planned with invited guests this summer or will you be...
2017-07-1600 minHopeInMadisonShrewdness is Scriptural"The master commended the dishonest manager for his shrewdness. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light. And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings." -- Matthew 16:8-9(ESV)We have all admired those stories about less than pure characters using only their brains to turn an impossible situation back to their advantage. Movies like The Sting, Ocean 11, and The Italian Job are modern stories like that. Jesus in Luke 16...
2017-07-0900 minHopeInMadisonGod's Joy in Redeeming Sinners". . . . , What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? . . . . , Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? . . . . , 'It was fitting to celebrate and be glad for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.' " -- Luke 15:1-32(ESV)Have you ever lost something really important to...
2017-07-0200 minHopeInMadisonThe Unforgiving ServantThen Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” -- Matthew 18:21(ESV)Scandalous. When we hear this word associated with church, we all cringe. Another story. Another fall. Another blight. But what if it wasn’t. What if scandalous didn’t refer to our sin but God’s grace? God’s grace is so big, so extravagant, so freely given that it has been referred to as scandalous. Often this scandal isn’t seen or felt when God’s grace is applied to us. (Because if...
2017-06-2500 minHopeInMadisonThe Good SamaritanBut he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. -- Luke 10:29-30 (ESV)Who is your team? Until I moved to the south I would have answered this question with a casual nod to a NFL or MLB team. But on moving here, I was forced into a decision. I had to pick a side. If I didn’t, I would be considered an outsider, forever. But once I p...
2017-06-1800 minHopeInMadisonPharisees and SinnersHe also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: Luke 18:9(ESV)Bell curves have generally been my friend. I did pretty well in school . But there were a few subjects that baffled me. Maybe it was me, maybe it was the teacher. One such subject was Physics. Our teacher, Mr. Rogers (seriously), had mantras that he would repeat, but explanation and application seemed to escape him. It was as if we would magically absorb the formulas and their applications merely by the multiplicity of the repetition. So when I...
2017-06-1100 minHopeInMadisonWhat are parables?Then the disciples came and said to him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” And he answered them, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. Matthew 13:10-11(ESV)Some stories stick with you. Do you know the story of the Tortoise and the Hare? Or have you heard the one about the Little Red Hen? These childhood stories are cute but they are meant to teach greater lessons like persistence and hard work. Through the plot and characters of narratives like these, we com...
2017-06-0400 minHopeInMadisonGrace RevealedFor we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. -- 2 Peter 1:16 (ESV) We live in a world of competing voices. You will define yourself and your story against other narratives around you. Who are you? What will you value? How do you know what is right? We would like to think that these are 21st century issues amplified by our connections to our world. But actually, these are questions that have resonated in the human heart since the the...
2017-05-2800 minHopeInMadisonGrace AssuredFor whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. -- 2 Peter 1:9-10 (ESV)Have you ever doubted your salvation? Did you really mean the prayer you prayed? Have you done enough? How does God look at you? These are important and can be scary questions. When the answers to these questions linger we start to live in a circle of fear for our soul...
2017-05-2700 minHopeInMadisonGrace AmnesiaI think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder -- 2 Peter 1:13 (ESV)One of my fears is succumbing to dementia. With a history of it in my family, there is a real possibility of it happening to me. And having recently seen the effects of it first hand, I can attest that it is a living death. At some point, however, the sufferer is spared by no longer understanding what is happening. But I also think there is an amnesia that is a greater danger - Gospel Amnesia. When...
2017-05-2200 minHopeInMadisonGrace UnleashedFor this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. -- 2 Peter 1:5-7 (ESV)How would you describe the gospel? What adjective best displays it’s nature? Some of my favorites are - amazing, scandalous, grand, and gracious. To take sinful, rebellious creatures and redeem them through sacrificial love can only be described as super-natural. But that is exactly what God did through Christ. And that act is applied to us th...
2017-05-1300 minHopeInMadisonRun the RaceEvery athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.(1 Corinthians 9:25-27, ESV) I've been on a bit of journey this year. And I want to tell you about it. It's been difficult and painful at times. It's been revealing and enlightening (in several ways). But it's been a journey. This week, between series, I want...
2013-09-0142 minHopeInMadisonJustice for AllI will take my stand at my watch post and station myself on the tower, and look out to see what he will say to me, and what I will answer concerning my complaint. (Habakkuk 2:1 ESV) Habakkuk was captured by the question, "Why?" It rattled in his head like an unforgettable tune. But when God answered the question, it didn't provide clarity, only cloudiness and complication. And so he struggled and waited hoping that God would explain in greater detail the vista of his sovereignty. This week, we venture into God's answer. It is great and more sweeping than Habakkuk...
2013-04-1455 min