Marshall Brown - January 11, 2026
Uncluttered Heart
We all have lots of different things to which we give our attention, our effort, our time, even our finances. And most of the time the things that dominate our schedules and our list of priorities aren't necessarily bad in and of themselves. There's nothing wrong with advancing our careers or setting and accomplishing goals or having nice possessions. But what about when I become more passionate about pursuing those things than I am about pursuing God? What do I do when something besides God begins to own my heart?
Scripture References: Philippians 3:8-10, Matthew 13:45-46, Joshua 24:15, Mark 12:30, Deuteronomy 5:29
From Series: "Uncluttered"
Many of us have allowed ourselves to accumulate a lot of junk. Not old clothes or broken toys or containers of random bolts and electrical cords, but we accumulate addictions and criticisms and debt and various anxieties. We hold onto thoughts and habits and even relationships that are unhealthy or hurtful, and they end up clogging up our minds and our hearts and keep us from freely experiencing the life God wants to carve out for us. We invite you to join us at Flagstone as we begin the new year identifying some of the clutter we’re holding onto and discovering how to clean it out and experience a more uncluttered life.
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Marshall Brown - April 23, 2023
Let's Eat with Washed Hands
Most of us want to have clean hands before we eat, especially if our hands are going to actually be touching our food. But we probably have different methods of pre-meal handwashing (just rinsing with water, a dab of soap, completely lathering both hands, etc.). We can argue about the level of cleanliness and probably feel justified in defending our opinion. There was a time mentioned in scripture when Jesus and His followers were criticized for not washing their hands "correctly" before they ate. Jesus responded by pointing out a bigger issue with his critics than just having dirty hands. What was this more significant problem? And is it something I still need to concern myself with today?
Scripture References: Proverbs 4:23, 1 John 1:9, Psalms 51:10, Matthew 6:24, Matthew 13:15, Mark 7:1-6
From Series: "Let's Eat!"
Mealtimes provide opportunities to get to know someone or connect with someone in a relaxed atmosphere. At the dinner table is when I tend to let my guard down and allow others to get a better glimpse of the real me, and I get a chance to get a clearer picture of them as well. Multiple times in scripture Jesus is shown enjoying a meal with others. These often become teachable moments for both His disciples and His critics. Let's take advantage of the opportunity to "eat" with Jesus and get a clearer picture of His message and His mission.