"The Skin Color of Jesus?"

The chatter lately about the color of skin that Jesus had astonishes me personally. "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son." That’s the whole world, yes, He became like all of us so we could become like Him. It was not about His skin, it was about our sin. And because He saved us, we all see Him as our kin. That’s beautiful to me. 

It was at The Church of the Holy Annunciation in Nazareth, Israel, that it all came together for me. The Christmas prior i had heard for the first time an old Christmas Carol titled "Some Children See Him." And while standing in the church and it’s surrounding courtyard in Nazareth [the church that commemorates the Angel Gabriel announcing to Mary that she would have God’s Son] i realized that every culture and race imaginable had donated a mosaic to the church depicting Jesus to look like them. It was absolutely heartwarming. 

i believe when we picture Jesus He wants us to see ourselves because He came as our Baby King and was crucified for everyone of us individually. 

This song below, the old Christmas Carol i referenced, is sung by James Taylor. Maybe it will help focus what i am trying to say. Regardless of our skin color, we can claim Jesus because He surely claims us. -kww

https://youtu.be/VIOSejyxm68

https://youtu.be/70kKTndnkBM

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Presence Matters Most l!

No Invisible People! UNITY!

Pastor Kerry Willis

Prayer is A Gift

Lord, thank you for the gift of prayer. 

It’s one sure proof You really care. 

Prayer helps us stay in touch with You,

Without it we would come unglued.

You hear us when we call Your name,

Aloud or silent, it’s all the same. 

We cannot make it on our own, 

We cry to You and we’re not alone.

Remind us You will always hear,

Your children ask You to draw near.

And as You come to give us peace,

Your Presence is our sweet release. 

In the Name of Jesus. Amen. 

Hope Happens HERE!

Presence Matters Most!

No Invisible People! UNITY!

Pastor Kerry Willis 

My Nighttime Prayer

The sun has set, the sky’s dark blue.

Now my thoughts call out to You. 

Your faithfulness is such a gift,

My praises to You alone i lift.

You’ve given me Your Peace so strong.

i am Your debtor my whole life long.

As i sleep please guard my soul.

My gratitude to You cannot be told. 

For mere words alone aren’t enough, 

To really half-explain Your great Love. 

Good night to the One Who became my sin, 

So i could rest forever and even now. Amen. 

Hope Happens HERE!

Presence Matters Most!

No Invisible People! UNITY

Pastor Kerry Willis 

Need to Get Your Worship On?

If you need to get your worship on, my friend, Ricky Murphy and his friends are here to lead you!

https://youtu.be/xxSSv7kz6DA

Hope Happens HERE!

Presence Matters Most!

No Invisible People! UNITY!

Pastor Kerry Willis 

“The Backwards Brain Bicycle” [Bias Illustration]

“I’m learning and unlearning all the lessons of my life.” Song lyrics by Jim Cole

This YouTube video “The Backwards Brain Bicycle” simply, even humorously, yet profoundly proves that our brains have biases. i think it’s a helpful illustration, especially during these days when we desperately need to learn and unlearn some of our biases — a real green apple moment for me personally to keep growing.

https://youtu.be/MFzDaBzBlL0

Hope Happens HERE!

Presence Matters Most!

No Invisible People! UNITY!

Pastor Kerry Willis 

"What Do You Mean, ‘If I Can!’" -- Jesus

This amazing good news story -- from a day in the life of Jesus of Nazareth -- speaks strongly to my eternal soul about believing in Jesus moment-by-moment. 

"When they returned to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd surrounding them, and some teachers of religious law were arguing with them. When the crowd saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with awe, and they ran to greet him. "What is all this arguing about?" Jesus asked. One of the men in the crowd spoke up and said, "Teacher, I brought my son so you could heal him. He is possessed by an evil spirit that won’t let him talk. And whenever this spirit seizes him, it throws him violently to the ground. Then he foams at the mouth and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. So I asked your disciples to cast out the evil spirit, but they couldn’t do it." Jesus said to them, "You faithless people! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy to me." So they brought the boy. But when the evil spirit saw Jesus, it threw the child into a violent convulsion, and he fell to the ground, writhing and foaming at the mouth. "How long has this been happening?" Jesus asked the boy’s father. He replied, "Since he was a little boy. The spirit often throws him into the fire or into water, trying to kill him. Have mercy on us and help us, if you can." "What do you mean, ‘If I can’?" Jesus asked. "Anything is possible if a person believes." The father instantly cried out, "I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!" When Jesus saw that the crowd of onlookers was growing, he rebuked the evil spirit. "Listen, you spirit that makes this boy unable to hear and speak," he said. "I command you to come out of this child and never enter him again!" Then the spirit screamed and threw the boy into another violent convulsion and left him. The boy appeared to be dead. A murmur ran through the crowd as people said, "He’s dead." But Jesus took him by the hand and helped him to his feet, and he stood up. Afterward, when Jesus was alone in the house with his disciples, they asked him, "Why couldn’t we cast out that evil spirit?" Jesus replied, "This kind can be cast out only by prayer. " Mark‬ ‭9:14-29‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Hope Happens HERE!

Presence Matters Most!

No Invisible People! UNITY!

Pastor Kerry Willis 

When It Seems You Can’t Pray...

Do you ever have seasons when it seems like your prayer-life is somewhat paralyzed? Probably, many Jesus-believers are sensing what i am saying during this unusual season called 2020. 

Nevertheless, the truth be known, it’s likely during times when prayer seems stalled, the Holy Spirit is profoundly making up the difference as we simply keep trusting the Lord. 

In fact, Romans 8:26-28 says "And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will. And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." Romans‬ ‭8:26-28‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Finally, my Mom, the most in-touch-with-the-Lord praying person I’ve ever known once told me: "When you cannot pray, you simply trust!" 

Hope Happens HERE!

Presence Matters Most!

No Invisible People! UNITY!

Pastor Kerry Willis 

My Father’s Day Message, June 21, 2020

i was blessed to preach virtually on Father’s Day Sunday, June 21, 2020, for Bethany Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Church of the Nazarene. Here’s the 26 minutes and 53 seconds sermon YouTube link: 

https://youtu.be/nIKn1e3repM

Hope Hapoens HERE!

Presence Matters Most!

No Invisible People! UNITY!

Pastor Kerry Willis 

Through My Lens Recently

Here are some more images through my lens recently...

Hope Happens HERE!

Presence Matters Most!

No Invisible People! UNITY!

Pastor Kerry Willis 

How Does a Shrimp Boat Work?

Being the son of a shrimp trawler boat captain, one question I’ve been asked many times even this morning is this: “How does a shrimp boat work?”

This video will provide instruction for anyone curious. For me it provides inspiration. While it will inform most people, it made me cry. Why? Precious memories. If I could relive any 24 hour day of my life it would be on the shrimp boat with my dad. When I was a teenager I was much too young to appreciate the sacred experiences.

https://youtu.be/BW4B_XqbUtI

Hope Happens HERE!

Presence Matters Most!

No Invisible People! UNITY!

Pastor Kerry Willlis 

Humble Yourself As a Child

This tender song by my friend, Jim Cole, is on my mind today:

https://youtu.be/eU4biIXSxw0

Hope Happens HERE!

Presence Matters Most!

No Invisible People! UNITY!

Pastor Kerry Willis 

Celebrate What’s Right in the World [My Latest Photos]

One of the most favorite secular leadership training films I’ve seen was produced by a National Geographic photographer, Dewitt Jones, titled: "Celebrate What’s Right in the World." That’s the purpose of my post here today. Here are some of my favorite latest photos.

Hope Happens HERE!

Presence Matters Most!

No Invisible People! UNITY!

Pastor Kerry Willis