Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | Mark 8 records a unique moment in Jesus' ministry where He pulls back the layers and filters of His disciples' perception of Himself. But by doing so, He leads them to a clearer understanding of who He is - and He does the same with us today.

Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | Psalm 96 gives us a window into the nature of worship, in general, and the effect it has on our life. When we worship God, an activity of restoration, hope, healing, and perspective take place that affects us at the deepest level.

Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | Throughout the gospel of Mark, Jesus says things that do not "fit" into people's categories, expectations, desires, or ideas; but in chapter 5, he does something that does "fit" according to people's sensibilities or timelines. Namely, He calls them to wait when they feel like they shouldn't have to and when it even feels inappropriate. But in it, He shows His glory and grace, delivering the best into our lives.

Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | Psalm 1 introduces the entire book of Psalms, all 150 chapters, around the idea of what it means to be "blessed." The psalmist shows us that when it comes to blessing, there are only two distinct paths of life, two distinct experiences, and two distinct destinies. There is no 'middle ground' to spiritually, an underlying principle that resonates through every psalm.

Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | Jesus begins His public ministry by addressing 4 different faulty frameworks of the people of God. In order to rightly be seen for who He truly is, He begins to 'deconstruct' their frameworks that stand in the way of them seeing, believing, and experiencing the reality of His rule and kingdom.

Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | Every incoming college student eventually comes across important "forks-in-the-road" moments, even within the first three weeks of stepping foot on campus. So, what do you do at the fork? How do you make the right decision? Who do you walk with? What if you fail? The acrostic "F.O.R.K." provides a couple of truths to hold on to and action-steps to move forward with - today - before you even get there. Because making the right decisions now is much easier and much better than doing so before you are forced to.

Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | Peter leaves us with a message to endure through the hardships of sin and hostility of the world. One of the ways Peter encourages us to do this is by assessing our Judge, his judgment, and his glory. When we live with this end in mind, our lives reorient with new love, rest in new peace, and strengthen with new resiliency.

Second Baptist Church - Houston, TX | Isaac Watts' famous hymn, "When I Survey The Wondrous Cross" remains one of the most popular hymns of all time. Inspired by a heart-felt passion that worship ought to be heart-felt, Watts pens this hymn drawing from the deep well of Galatians 6. In 5 stanzas, he paints a picture of a cross that is, against all worldly paradigms, "wondrous."