The Shield ONLINE

We live in a world full of violence and pain. Our culture celebrates retribution and preemptive strikes - the destruction or at least submission of our enemies as payback for what they have (or might have) inflicted on us.The Bible certainly contains many stories of the same kinds of struggles, of harm being done to the people of God and of their responses. Obviously, this provides a righteous path for us to respond to those who would harm us or our families or friends with the same kind of b...

This week, the Return of Horror Stories from the Bible continues with a tale of ghosts or demons responding to a call from King Saul. Why would Israel's first king turn his back on the commands of God to chase after messages from the dead? And what will he do when the message he gets is not at all what he hoped?Grab your popcorn and sit near a friend while we dig deep into this dark story from a dark time.

It's that time of year: Horror Stories of the Bible return to help lead us up to the celebration of all the saints who came before us. Today we delve into the twisted story of a man who was able to snatch bitter defeat from the jaws of victory. While his story may burn itself into your memory, don't light a candle for him. His choices left a legacy in ashes and are to be viewed as a warning that we should sacrifice our pride, not our pride and joy.The fact that there are multiple stories in t...

Sure, the Beatitudes make a nice little framework for a life of faith in Jesus. Maybe I'll work on them sometimes, you know, like a church-related hobby. But we wouldn't want to go all in on them, would we? What would people think? We'd seem to be some kind of Jesus freaks if we did that. People might be mean to us. Some might even be angry! Jesus didn't really mean for his followers to take this stuff personally, did he?Oh, let me tell you, he made this all VERY personal when he told us to p...

Is there any way to look at being made to suffer at the hands of others that could be considered any kind of a blessing? And yet, Jesus offers us this wild saying that says we are blessed when we are persecuted for righteousness! What the heck is he going on about there? Has he spent too much time in the sun?Today, we dive into this Beatitude to uncover what it means and - just as importantly! - what it DOESN'T mean. And what, exactly, it means for those of us who are trying to follow t...

"In the real world, that stuff [that Jesus said] doesn't work."This was said to me by a pastor friend as we discussed the importance of following the Way of Jesus as he laid it out. Our disagreement was about how we are to respond to those who are or may be trying to harm us.That friend is no longer a pastor, which I think is probably for the best, because if a representative of Jesus doesn't believe the teaching and example of Jesus matters in "the real world" then they aren't representing J...

Purity and holiness sound like terribly boring religious concepts requiring us to lead dull lives enclosed in harsh boundaries, deprivation, and perfection. When we screw up, we're out, right? ZAP goes the lightning, then straight into the depths of depravity and destruction!Yeah, that would be every bit as horrible as it sounds. Fortunately, that's not at all what the Bible means when it talks about being pure in heart! Remember that Jesus was pure in heart but his opponents got all over him...

Sometimes people suck, and when they do they should be held up for ridicule and contempt and mockery... Oh, wait. That's what we DO, but is that what Jesus asks of his followers? Is it the example God provides us with? Or are we supposed to find it in ourselves, somehow, to show mercy?I suspect you already know the answer. Maybe looking at the examples Jesus gave for showing mercy will give us some hope that we might be able to learn how to do it. Or maybe we'll decide that we just don't care...

Now that we've spent a few weeks talking about being blessed, let's talk about what the word BLESSED means and how it may not be exactly what we've been thinking it is. Then let's talk about the deeper meaning of righteousness and how it's something for every one of us to embrace, not just a thing for holiness superstars. Something to consider: Being righteous doesn't come from following rules! It's based on something else entirely. Something we all want!

Just because things rhyme, that doesn't mean they are the same. If you use a cat for a bat, you'll never get a hit, and if you wear it as a hat, you'll probably regret it. And yet we tend to mix up meekness by thinking it is a weakness when the reality is that it takes a lot more strength to live out meekness than it does to dominate, bully, or push your way over the top of anyone else.Well then, what IS meekness? And how could we live it out, if we chose to give it a try? And what does any o...

Today we start with a lesson in the obvious: Life hurts. There are wounds which we need to tend to or they will fester and drive us to self-destructive means of altering or covering the pain because we just want it to stop hurting. Or the pain takes over so much that we don't realize we can feel anything else. How can there be any blessing in pain or loss or disappointment?But maybe there is...This week, we explore how that might work, and why we are never so alone as we think.

What does it mean to be poor and why would Jesus claim that this is some kind of blessed state? Why do we allow anxiety to drive us to cling to things we could release? What makes THIS the thing Jesus wanted to tell his followers to learn ahead of everything else?This week we cover the first of the Beatitudes, Jesus's instructions for life as a citizen of God's Kingdom.

"Guard your heart," declares scripture, "for everything you do flows from it."But what does that mean and what should we be letting in or keeping out of our hearts? It's not like Jesus left us a checklist... did he?Welcome to the new season of The Shield Online! We're starting with a life-changing dive into what Dallas Willard called, "a curriculum for Christlikeness," the Beatitudes!

What happened with Paul and the others? Did they get to Rome? What happened? What do we know? Did Luke wrap up all the loose ends in his story? And what does any of this mean for us in the modern world? All these questions and more are answered (and not answered) in today's message. Join us! Then maybe you'll want to go back and find the parts you may have missed.Grace and peace to you!

There's a little story towards the end of the book of Acts that most people slip past quickly, noticing only the unusual story about a snakebite. But this is the beginning of Luke's conclusion to the full message of the book he has written! Why is he wasting space on a little travel vignette? Or did he have a more important purpose in mind when he described the Followers of the Way living together with three different pagan groups? Find out by joining us for today's look into the Book of Acts.

They were sure this was going to work, but everything fell apart in an instant and they were plunged into chaos.How often has something similar happened to each one of us? There is a secret to understanding how to remain calm during even the most threatening storm. Do any of the people in today's passage learn it? Join us and see for yourself...

Good day. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to seek out pockets of evil scattered across the world and deal with them. You and your Mission:Possible team will be given light that will dispel the darkness and power to choose to act in ways that will bring healing and wholeness to a world that desperately needs it.Accepting this mission makes you Agents of the Kingdom acting inside territory the enemy would like to believe they possess. If you or any member of your team is caught...

Did you know that chapters and verses weren't part of the Bible's original texts? We've added that stuff in. In some ways, that's a blessing; in others it's a curse. We may be able to find things easier, but because of that we don't KNOW things the way we should.What kind of things? Well, how about what Jesus meant when he talked about climbing in and out an open gateway into heaven? Don't remember that one? Let's find and work through this together...

There is a passage in Acts 25 where Paul doesn't say a word - he doesn't even appear until the last sentence - but his witness has been so consistent that it drives people to want to speak with him, to hear him, and to learn more about Jesus.How does that work? Well, it started when he trusted in Jesus and became an aggressive dove...

In a world dominated by Empire, can a poor man from a distant province get justice from the highest authority in the world? Yes, he can!That's not exactly what's happening here, though, is it?Or is it?

We are celebrating the International Day for Children and Youth by taking a few minutes to examine the story of how one group of young people decided to respond to a difficult situation.When the big things are out of your control, will making the small changes you can to stay close to your God make any kind of difference?

People tend to confuse "justice" with just getting what they want. What do most people want? To hurt people who hurt them. Is embracing the idea of retribution going to help us attain justice?Today we look at Paul on trial, the reality TV vibe of scripture, secret motivations, and what justice and injustice looked like in one situation so that we can understand how best to seek justice in our own lives.

The people knew Jesus was a miracle worker, casting out evil spirits, healing the sick, even giving sight to people who were born blind! So when someone they love died the obvious question was, "Why did you let them die?"Death stinks. There are no words of comfort or solace that change that fact. Even Jesus wept because of the pain and loss brought on by the death of a friend, and he is the one person who actually had an understanding of the bigger picture.What do we choose to do when we know...

Paul is losing his life of freedom and privilege. And he's threatened with losing his life altogether! But somehow he is going to respond to all that as if it is meaningless. It's like he's got some secret which allows him to be content in even the most chaotic and dangerous of situations...Want to know what that is?

Easter eggs are hidden in movies, on purpose or by accident, to give thoughtful viewers something to find and think about, or something to notice and wonder about. Scripture is rife with the same kind of gems waiting to be uncovered! Today, as we celebrate Resurrection Sunday, we're going to look at a couple of these and see if they can bring us at least as much joy as a few colored eggs and jelly beans do.

A long time ago, when I was in a customer service job, there was one annoying and mistaken client who, after long minutes of berating me for a problem of his own making, said, "If you don't do what I tell you, I'm not going to be your customer any more!" and I thoughtlessly said - out loud - "Promise?"He may have been a jerk, but that didn't give me license to respond in kind. It's been over 30 years and the memory of that mistake still helps keep me from going down that road again. I de...

What group or groups do you belong to? How does that set you apart or make you special? Now ask yourself why you think that makes you better than people who are not part of those groups. No, don't get defensive - we all do it. We should at least try to be honest with ourselves. We all like to think that WE are better than THEM because we are set apart. The problem here goes two ways: First, it isn't true, and second, the OTHER groups think the same things about YOUR group.Instead of excl...

Accusations of wrongdoing, a brutal assault on the one being accused, and his arrest without cause or charges having been considered...This is the story we are diving into today. And it's one that should speak into the lives of each one of us! There should be an awareness of one, very important, very key idea that goes with us in everything we do: Are we listening to what God is saying? And what if we're wrong?

The great thinkers in each group were utterly baffled as to how anyone could see things in a different way. But the two groups reached opposite conclusions about many things! There was a distinct turning towards nationalism taking place which was causing one group to exclude the other, or at least to encourage them to practice their way of life somewhere else...Politics in America in 2024? Nope, Christians in Jerusalem, about 57 AD. And key leaders in each movement are about to meet face to f...

Have you ever been certain of a thing but someone you know is absolutely convinced that you are wrong?Have you ever wondered how people can be so foolish as to believe, follow, or be so moved by a particular belief that you know is seriously out of line with what God wants?What if someone you've respected and trusted for a long time says or does something that is completely contrary to what you KNOW to be true?How can we know? If there are two conflicting beliefs about an action, can we know ...

If you thought it was the last time you were going to see beloved friends, what would you say to them? And why? What would you want to remind them of or warn them about?Paul, sailing past his former home, stops to say goodbye to one of his dearest church families. And he leaves them with warm words to guard them against a chilling reality... There are already wolves among them.

There's a lot of humor and happiness in the story of Jonah that we tell to kids. But we can't get there unless we leave out a lot of anger, hatred, bitterness, and stubborn pride. This is a story about God's inconceivable grace for all of the people he has created - yes, even THOSE people. Why do we think it's about a whale?This week, the story of Jonah told twice - the happy kid story and the gratingly uncomfortable story from scripture. They're both funny, but is either of them meaningful t...

There was one Christmas message I preached when I first started as a full-time pastor to adults that ran about an hour. There was so much good material, I wanted to share it all! But as I spoke I could see people's eyes glazing over. A large family left partway through, late for the work shift that started early that afternoon. I could see the wish in the eyes of some others that they could do the same. I try to keep a better check on how long I speak now.Paul, in Acts 20, began a little afte...

No, this isn't a message about the destruction of Alderaan. It's also not a message about the Apostle Paul, though many think that it is. Paul is firmly in the back seat (or maybe the trunk) throughout this story. It's a little bit about a riot, but not much. It's kind of about the frequent failure of good intentions and how we need to act more mindfully when others are going to be affected by our actions. But mostly, it's about Jesus, and how we all can and should try out doing what HE says ...

Have you ever thought that if you offered the right prayer in the right way that God would do what you asked? There's a word for that. Magic. Magic was a way to control the gods or the elements or other people (or sometimes all three) to get the result the spell-caster wanted. It's what most people are trying to do when they pray.Today's story is about a group of exorcists who found that you can't co-opt the power of God. I don't know if what happened to them inspired them to look into how to...

When he went back to Ephesus, Paul spent three months preaching in the synagogue. One commentary notes, "Three months in a synagogue without a riot is something of a record for Paul." Which is kind of funny, but it may simply be evidence of the Holy Spirit working in his life, helping him to grow in love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control.Today, as we return to the book of Acts, we should all be asking the question Paul asked a group of men h...

When you get a gift, do you ever have that urge to give something of equal or greater value back? Either out of gratitude or from some twisted desire to avoid some perceived "gift deficit" where you think you owe someone for having given you something? Most of us feel that, at least sometimes.So what do you give to God for the gift of life and the ability to become who you choose to be? When the gift is your very life, what is the appropriate reciprocal gift? And what does that have to do wit...

I want to give you a gift. Well, it's not from me. it's from God. You know, the LORD? YHVH? Our Creator? Yeah, he has this really important and, dare I say, intimate gift he wants us all to have. But you're going to need something.You need to take a breath.Today, the gift of breathing light into your life and the things that can change...Happy Christmas.

We three kings from orient are...Not from the orient.We three kings...No, not kings either.We three...Well, maybe, but probably not.Properly considered, the story of the Magi isn't even part of the birth narrative of Jesus, but because we have incorporated it into our Christmas mythology for centuries, we should look at what it could have meant then and what it might mean for us today.And what was up with that star?

It's the wee hours of the night and you are wakened by a commotion outside. What's going on? Then, a knock at your door - more of a pounding, really. You open to find a man, caked with dirt, smelling of sweat and animals, someone you would cross the street to avoid if you came upon them in town. He asks you if there's a baby in your home that he could come an look at. Obviously, he's insane! You are about to tell him so when you realize that there are about fifty more just like him in a big u...

As the woman, pregnant, in labor, clinging to the donkey she rode, was ushered up the walk, the innkeeper came out, waving them away into the snow as he turned an bolted the door behind him.Nonsense. Sure, it makes a fun story, but it's insane, which should be immediately obvious to anyone who hears it. So dust off your Bibles and follow me as we journey through the REAL story of the amazing birth of Jesus.

Advent starts next week and we'll talk about the Christmas story throughout the season. This week, though, we're going to talk about two women who had obviously rejected God's ways and brought great shame to their families and communities by their brazenness. Except, maybe that wasn't the way God saw their stories...An Unexpected Christmas Story begins here...Questions or comments? You can put them here or email roger.mccort@usw.salvationarmy.orgPodcasts of our messages can be found as The Sh...

As we prepare for America's favorite holiday, Black Friday, we might need to spend a little more time focused on how Thanksgiving should be an every day holiday, not a once-a-year one. Why? Because the benefits are beyond amazing! How about you give it a try? If you aren't willing to commit to a lifetime, how about just this week? I think you'll see that the benefits of continuing in thankfulness will make you want to do it more and more every day.

When you hear someone who isn't quite right in what they say or do, what's the appropriate response? Should we roast them on social media? Fillet them and their mistakes in public? Start a whispering campaign intended to shut them up or drive them away? Or, perhaps, should we invite them over for dinner and to exchange ideas by hearing them out and then sharing our view and reasoning without judging them or requiring them to accept our point of view? I can tell you which answers people g...

We live in a world filled with scared people reacting to their fear. There is an antidote for that poison, but it isn't one many people are willing to take. Taking it will set you free, but making the choice to do so involved getting out of the comfortable bubble you live in and exposing yourself to the very world you have been afraid of. If you are willing, though, I know someone who will go with you who will keep you safe...Comments/questions? Email me! roger.mccort@usw.salvationarmy.orgWan...

The greatest horrors of the Halloween season cannot come close to those perpetuated by humans on one another. And God placed Ezekiel in the midst of that horror, the only living man in a field strewn with tens of thousands of the dead.Why? What purpose could there be in visiting this place?It turns out, it was so you and I could be given hope.Grace and peace to you.Comments/questions? roger.mccort@usw.salvationarmy.orgDonations to help The Salvation Army in Nevada County help others? https://...

Does resurrection matter? It's a crazy idea, right? In Acts 17, Paul's insistence on preaching Jesus raised from the dead runs head-on into a wall of educated disbelief. But they are willing to hear him out - for a few minutes, anyway. What happens next and why it may (or may not) matter to us is a big part of knowing what God expects from us and that's important, because it is the standard by which we will be judged by Christ.

In a world torn apart by evil actions and deep hurts, what are we to do? When an enemy has slaughtered our children, what are we to do?When the monsters are revealed and our anger is sharp and ready to be thrust into their hearts to rip them out the way they have done to us, what are we to do?Today, an examination of facing the impossible in an unexpected, but necessary, way.Grace and peace to you and to your enemies.

When someone says things to you which are different from the way you've always done things or different from the way you think or have been taught that the world works, what is the proper response? Do you cover your ears and yell LALALALALALALA! at the top of your lungs so that what they are saying can't leak in? Do you hide or burn their books? Do you run them out of town? Or is there another way? Something else you could do?This week we see how two very different groups respond to the idea ...

God delights in me and my perfection. And if you are blameless and never turn from his ways or break any of his commandments, you can be perfect too. Worried that it may be too late? Oh, do I have some good news for you!Comments or questions? Post them here or email roger.mccort@usw.salvationarmy.orgAlso, there is an opportunity for a prize because I screwed something up during this recording and when that happened, I offered a prize to anyone who reaches out to me about... Something. (Gotta ...

What Must I do to be Saved?That's the question, isn't it? And to get to the answer, we're going to start with Zeus having an affair, Apollo killing a dragon, Paul's group of evangelists being praised by a possessed slave, snake oil, acceptable police brutality, and finally God shaking things up a bit to get some people's attention. Then we'll know what we must do.Grace and peace to you this week!

Luke takes his time showing us the chain of events that God arranged to demonstrate that one particular conversion was absolutely ordained. I could have called this message "The first Christian in Europe." You should know who I'm referring to, but here in the Western world, we tend to downplay or ignore her, even though she is one of the most important figures in the early church.Questions or comments can be brought up here or by emailing roger.mccort@usw.salvationarmy.orgPodcasts of past mes...

People can't be trusted. We are inconsistent and petty and self-serving and, sometimes, downright mean. Okay, not all the time, but every one of us has our moments, don't we?It's no wonder that people leave the church. Is there a reason to be Followers of the Way of Jesus if even our leaders may fail to live up to the standards of that Way? Questions or comments? Post them here or email Captain Roger at roger.mccort@usw.salvationarmy.orgIs this guy crazy? Check out our past videos here or our...

Do we need to do conform to a certain set of standards to be holy or do we simply say that the grace of Jesus is enough and then live that out, whatever that looks like? That's the question which faced the growing movement of the Followers of the Way of Jesus back in Acts 15. Today we look at what they decided and what it might mean for people like us today.

Short one today. Mostly, I want to tell you a story.A story about bread. And hands. And what on earth is meant by a continual sacrifice of praise?

When people attack you or the ones you love, what then? When stones are thrown your way, they can make great weapons, can't they? Should you pick them up and fight back or should you go away and plot your revenge? Or should you go back to the people who hurt you and offer to share everything with them? Which of these sounds right?These questions are at the heart of our passage today. Join us as we take apart this section of Acts to find principles which can guide our reactions to trouble even...

When is condemnation acceptable? When should the past be the past and the future be the focus?Plus learn a few things you may not have known about Captain Roger, about the Bible, and about throwing stones.

I'm out on vacation this week, but couldn't resist putting together a little something from God's Word for you to chew on while I'm gone!What is it that we were made for? Do we have a purpose in life? And if we do, are we living it out?Grab your Bible for this one - I'm going to hop you around a bit to see if we can untangle an answer to one of life's biggest questions!

You are forgiven. For all the things that have or are keeping you from being the best you can be. Any way that you haven't reflected the image of God. Or that you won't. It's forgiven. Yes, even that thing. That's impossible, right? Crazy? But what if it's true? Find out as we examine what the Followers of the Way need to do to be forgiven. Here's a hint:

People will try to put detours and obstacles in your way, trying to force you to go their way. But our job isn't to follow other people, it's to follow Jesus. This week's message from the book of Acts! We're up to chapter 13, and there are some mighty powerful things going on...

Today, we're going to hear a rescue story. Which is great and all and I can't wait for you to hear it. But what I really want is for you to understand that you're going to have a chance this week to act out the Way of Jesus OR to act out in the way of Herod. The path I'd like you to take is probably obvious, but the decision is going to be yours alone. Maybe, after hearing today's message, your decision will be a little bit easier...Questions or comments are always welcome. Put them here or e...

Is the church making a wild, radical turn to gain members and importance? Isn't that why it started letting THOSE people in? You know, the ones we shouldn't be associating with? The sinners, the unclean, the ones we should shun and preach against?That's right, I'm talking about the church in about 43 AD. What did you think I meant?Lessons for today from the words of yesterday are available in this session of our walk through the Book of Acts.Questions and comments are welcome here or by email...

Obviously there are those who are INSIDE our circle and those who are OUTSIDE, right? And those who are OUTSIDE are wrong, horrible, unholy, evil people who should be rejected and shunned, right?Well... That may, in fact, be the exact OPPOSITE of what we are taught by Jesus, by the early church, and by scripture. I wonder why it is that we Christians have become known for our anger and condemnation instead of our love?This week: The first part of Acts 11 leads us through a different approach ...

I'm sure that Peter NEVER thought that God would accept THOSE people unless THOSE people changed first. It had taken heavenly convincing for him to lower himself to even speak to people so far outside his religious norms. But then God didn't even allow Peter to finish the message he had worked up, and everything changed and got a LOT simpler and more complicated...Comments and questions always welcome, here or by email to roger.mccort@usw.salvationarmy.org

Two men have strange visions that lead them to become something they are not. Can they avoid profaning the things of God in the process? Or is this all some kind of cosmic test that they are failing? We'll find out together as we look at this week's passage in our journey through the book of Acts.Comments and questions always welcome. Leave them here or email roger.mccort@usw.salvationarmy.orgGrace and peace to you all.

RADICAL INCLUSIONNot words you expect to hear about the people in the early church? Today we look at two examples from the book of Acts - examples which are small steps towards a much larger change in religious culture than most people ever would have thought possible.Comments and questions welcome - but you should really listen to the message first. You can also email me directly: roger.mccort@usw.salvationarmy.orgCan you help us help others? The Salvation Army of Grass Valley helps hundreds...

How many disciples does Jesus have? Can you name them? And what is a disciple anyway? What drives someone like that?Today we are taking a break from our walk through the book of Acts to spend a few minutes looking at what it means to be a disciple of Jesus and what scripture tells us about those who were. And most importantly, what does any of that mean to us now?Grace and peace to you all this week!

Grace and peace, all!Captain Roger is gone to a Men's Retreat this weekend and none of the workshops he was teaching got recorded. Which was sad, BUT it does mean you have the opportunity to hear this great message from our archives!What do you do when you are overwhelmed by the storm?From Sept 29, 2019

Hey, remember that guy who had so many of our friends beaten and killed that most everyone had to flee the city? And he said he'd do the same to us, if he could find us? He's going to be in town and was wondering if we have a guest room and some food he could use.Does that sound crazy and impossible? Sure, but it happened. It turns out that NOTHING is impossible with God.Listen to this week's message, then post any questions or comments, or email them to roger.mccort@usw.salvationarmy.orgChec...

Even the devout never really expect to hear God's voice. Not really. Not in the same way they hear the voice of the person standing next to them.So what happens when they do? And what happens when what God says flies in the face of everything they have believed, the very things by which they have defined their lives?

Luke wrote the subversive book detailing the Acts of the Apostles in such a way that he slowly took his patron on a journey from the resurrection of Jesus to the church as a place of radical acceptance and inclusion. People who are unwelcome are being welcomed. People who cannot change to be acceptable are being accepted. I'm sure it was terrifying to the people then, just as it is now.So can we, or should we, live out the example of the early church?Food for thought in this week's worship in...

That group of people you KNOW are misguided heathens who will never be able to find their way to salvation because of their evil ways is now claiming to be followers of Jesus. Do you:a) Call down fire and brimstoneb) Shun them and talk smack about them like you always havec) Go spend time with them, pray with them, and ask God to pour out the gift of his Spirit on themI suspect you know what my answer is, whether you agree with it or not. But what does scripture tell us we should do in this s...

We're back in the book of Acts today, examining the story of the life and death of Stephen, one of the Seven who ran the first Christian food pantry. What did he do or say that inspired a large mob of stable, upright citizens to drag him out of the city to be lynched? What was it about killing Stephen that inspired a wave of terror and violence against the people who made up the early church? And how can knowing this story help us identify when the same elements are creeping into the modern w...

What's up with the Bible anyway? Is it a dusty old book full of rules and outdated lifestyle advice? Why are there so many different translations? Is there any reason for us to bother with it today?We're taking a short detour off the road of our journey through the book of Acts to try to understand a few things about the roadmap we are using to look at the history of the Church. Plus, there's a game and you could win valuable prizes!Comments or questions? Post them here or email roger.mccort@...

It's Resurrection Sunday! Join us for the unusual story of a man who had a golden screw in his navel. And then an even more unusual story, told from the perspective of those who knew Jesus was dead.Grace and peace to you.Comments and questions are always welcome.So are any gifts to help The Salvation Army help people in Nevada County, California. https://grassvalley.salvationarmy.orgYou can hear more from us directly through our Podcast host (http://bit.ly/shieldonline) or by finding The Shie...

Holy Week begins today with Palm Sunday! Does that matter? Do the little ritual meanings we assign to the days of this week come from the Bible or are they made up? Or both?Is it okay to drag Judas through the streets and throw rocks at him before setting him on fire?We'll take on these questions, and some that may be a bit more important, in this week's message.Grace and peace to you all!

Breathing is easy, right? We all do it unconsciously. Well, what happens when you breathe mindfully instead?That's what is happening in the lives of the early followers of Jesus. They are learning what it means to breathe together and how even a small barrier to doing that cleanly can present a huge obstruction to living life the way Jesus intended them to.Ask the Holy Spirit to help you breathe in the message God has for you today so you can breathe the love of Jesus out to the world.Comment...

It turns out that God doesn't need you to fight.God seems to want us to believe we should OBEY God instead.The Apostles and other members of the early church seem to have got a handle on this, at least in one early situation. This week we're diving in to see if there is anything in there which we can take and use to help us make our modern world a better place.Grace and peace, y'all.

My favorite pieces of scripture are the little ones that get lost in between the bigger stories - the ones that you might read past without noticing. Today we're going to look at one of those and see where it brings us...Questions, comments, or complaints? Post them here or email roger.mccort@usw.salvationarmy.orgWanna check the other stuff we've said or sign up to get our messages as they are posted? Our podcast host is here http://bit.ly/shieldonline or find The Shield Online at iTunes, Spo...

Take a breath and let it out slowly. And again. Breathing is amazing, isn't it? From the first gasp to the last, breathing is the source of life animating your body.Living in community is like breathing together. It is sharing life together. And when everyone is focused on doing so, the community thrives and grows in ways that can be hard for individuals to imagine. But what happens when members in the community separate themselves from the rest, as if they aren't all connected?Today we look ...

Hey! You! Yes, you. Jesus loves you for who and what you are and wants you to be a part of God's family. Yes, you! That's not exactly what today's investigation of Acts 4 is about, but ultimately, it's what everything is supposed to be about.But to get there, you need to understand something about Star Trek... (Wait, what?)Do you have questions or comments? Post them here or email roger.mccort@usw.salvationarmy.orgCan you give to help people in need in Nevada County, CA? See what we're doing ...

Before we go further in the book of Acts, learning the events and history of the early church, I thought we should stop and learn what exactly the church is and whether we are actually a part of it. What does it mean to be "part" of the church anyway? What makes us the called out assembly of God and not just a group of people with some shared ideas?This week we learn to live as "echad" in "ekklesia" through submission and love in a way that SHOULD bring peace.Comments? Questions? Post them or...

What is the point of sequels, and why is the Bible filled with them? It's almost as if someone was trying to make a point and make sure we all get it...Thank you for joining our weekly digital message time! Your participation through questions and comments is always welcome. You can post those here or email roger.mccort@usw.salvationarmy.orgOur mission is to share the gospel of Jesus Christ by meeting human needs in his name without discrimination. You can help us do that by donating to The S...

Thank God for his instruction that we build up the body of the church by loving one another unconditionally and by lifting up every person, without exception! If that's not the church you know, you will want to check out this passage in Acts to see what the first followers of Jesus did and what may be different from what we are doing now.Questions and comments are always welcome. Post them or email roger.mccort@usw.salvationarmy.orgCheck out our message archive! http://bit.ly/shieldonlineHelp...

This new thing had happened and everyone was excited to share. Even though they knew it made them all sound crazy! It WAS crazy, and yet, somehow, it was true. And they had to tell people. But would they listen?Will you?Comments and questions are always welcome. Post them here or email roger.mccort@usw.salvationarmy.orgCheck out our podcast, The Shield Online, on iTunes, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. Or you can visit our host archive here: http://bit.ly/shieldonlineWe meet in person ...

O God of cleansing, burning flame: Send the fire!I live in what we could call the nation's tinderbox, Northern California, and fire has burned scars into all our lives over the last decade or so. But fire is only bad when it is misused or out of control. Sometimes you need a controlled burn to clear away the corruption in life so that what matters will stand tall and healthy when the flames of judgment come.Questions or comments? Post them here or email roger.mccort@usw.salvationarmy.orgHelp ...

You ever have the problem of having to wait for something but you don't really know what the something is or how long it's going to be? So you find yourself sitting around, brooding over things that are really outside your control but which you wish you could change or somehow move on from? You aren't alone. That may actually be a universal thing. I know I've been there. It seems that King David had some moments like that, and Peter, one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus, went through some of t...

Psst... Hey, you! I can trust you, right? Good, because I have something important I want to tell you, but the government has banned the book about it. Even just saying that is probably enough to get me flogged, so if you don't want to hear more, stop now.There was a man named Jesus who said he was God, which I know sounds crazy. But when I tell you about the people who believed in him and what happened with them, maybe you'll understand why spreading this story is considered so subversive.&n...

Hey, you want to go dancing?No, not with me. With God. Because he's been waiting for a chance to dance with you. Really. Check out today's message to hear how that will work. Because if all this God stuff is true, we might need to polish some of our moves.It's a new year! Feel free to ask questions, new or old, and we'll see if we can find answers together! Post those here or email roger.mccort@usw.salvationarmy.orgWe need your help to support people who need help! You can give to The Salvati...

It's Christmas! Let's talk presents!In the last chapter of his gospel, Matthew slips three very special gifts into our hands. Three things we may not have noticed. Three special ideas which could reshape the way we view or live out our faith...Got questions or comments? Post them here or email roger.mccort@usw.salvationarmy.orgWant to make a donation before the end of the year? Drop it in our Virtual Red Kettle to support the work of The Salvation Army in Nevada County, California! http://gra...

Jesus is dead... Or is he? Let's follow the body.You might be surprised to hear what people expected. It sure wasn't any kind of miracle.Please give us a like and subscribe if you can.Comments, questions? Post them here or email roger.mccort@usw.salvationarmy.orgHave a donation to give? https://bit.ly/donateGVWant to hear more? Or go back and learn about Matthew's story about the life of Jesus from the beginning? http://bit.ly/shieldonlineGrace and peace, all!

Where is God when life hurts?My God, my God, have you turned your back on me? Can a cosmic God know or care about the pain and suffering of a single person? Yes.He knows that pain, that separation, that sense of being utterly alone that each one of us feels in our darkest moments. He knows because he has lived and died in that pain and abandonment. And even in the deepest depths of that darkness, he found a way to bring the light of joy...Comments, questions, or conundrums? Pos...

Mocking someone involves making fun of them in a cruel or derisive manner.While Jesus was being crucified, people were lined up to mock him.I guess it gave them a chance to tell their favorite jokes about brutal executions. It can be hard to find the right time and place to share those, right?But it's how Jesus responded that holds my attention in this story. And it should be the detail that matters most to you as well.Check it out.Questions and comments are always welcome. Post them here or ...

The crowd wants blood but the judge knows the defendant is innocent. What kind of corruption would lead him to pass sentence?The very kind he was steeped in.The final trial of Jesus is our point of study for this week, but it may all connect in ways you've never thought about before.If you enjoy our messages, be sure to hit the LIKE and SUBSCRIBE buttons so we know you're there. :)We love questions and comments! Maybe share your opinion about the mystery we talk about in today's passage? You ...

Jesus and his followers were defeated, right?Jesus was arrested and had been abandoned by even his closest disciples.Peter, his second in command, had dropped the teaching of Jesus like a hot rock and then run and now was about to make that worse by cursing his former master and insisting that there had never been anything between themJudas, realizing what he had done, tried to find a way to make things better, but ends up lost in the darkness of his own soul instead.Can there be any victory ...

When Matthew tells his story of the betrayal of Jesus it is Peter that he focuses on. Peter, not Judas. Oh, Judas gets his mention, but Peter's betrayal seem to have loomed larger in Matthew's reckoning. Perhaps because Peter's betrayal was so much closer to Matthew's own. At the time Jesus was arrested, they all failed him. Thank God for his grace and his love for us! Now, will we learn from what happened, or will we treat it like a nice story and assume that what Jesus said and did in ...

The Passover meal was shared by family and tied people together in a sacred bond of unity and peace as they remembered the promises of God. Jesus and his followers celebrated this meal together on one particularly fateful night where they all pledged to remember the promises of God together.And then every one of them betrayed him.What happened at the last meal they would share together? The one that should have been a joyful celebration of the love of God for each of them? Join us today and h...

The great thing about the Bible is that there is so much in there. While many of the stories are inspiring and joyful, others are dark and horrifying. Some fill you with the excitement of the best action thriller movies you've ever seen while others are quieter, more introspective. But they all should help us fill in a picture of who God is and what he can do.Today we take a break from our journey through Matthew's story about Jesus to spend a few minutes in a filed filled with death and hope...

If you're like most people, Jesus isn't the Messiah you want him to be.You're not alone in that. There were plenty of people in his day who worked to stop him, to keep him from changing the world. They were willing to do whatever it took to make sure he didn't get a chance to do more than he already had.Even among his own followers, questions had risen which they didn't like the answers to...Comments or questions? Post them here or email roger.mccort@usw.salvationarmy.orgYour gift helps us he...