The Rock Church

Different Opinions

My wife and I have recently had a number of conversations with people who hold different opinions than ours. These discussions have been equal parts challenging, encouraging and a little perplexing. 

Consequently, I have come to realize that it can be too easy to make assumptions from afar. I’ve found that most of us have been presuming what others are thinking or believing (many times based on narratives of the world) rather than respectfully asking questions and seeking to understand the other side. I have also come to realize that our enemy (the devil) loves to make us believe we are the minority and everyone else is against us. 

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by Caleb Yetton

Church is Essential

There has been a suicide prevention campaign happening in our city recently. One billboard in particular caught my attention. It shows a group of people gathered in a circle, holding hands. The caption reads, “This is suicide prevention.” Our secular world knows something that God’s Word has been communicating for millennia. Over the last eight months, we have all seen the discouraging statistics on mental health, substance abuse, relational challenges, etc.   

God’s Word clearly communicates it is essential for people to be in regular fellowship with others for their mental, emotional and spiritual health.

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by admin

The Word of God

“For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow.” — Hebrews 4:12a (NLT)

Being in God’s Word is a beautiful thing. As we read the words He has given to us, as they wash over us, they start to transform us (if we let them). The imagery of His words being used as a powerful weapon is incredible. It severs because it’s designed to remove or kill those things in our lives that are hurting us, those around us, and/or our relationship with God.

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by Tony D'Amico

You and God

Think about this for a few minutes, Christian. God has been waiting for (and looking forward to) relationship with you since before the foundations of the earth. 

In other words, God’s desire for relationship with you is older than the stone that David killed Goliath with. It’s older than the mountain that Noah’s Ark came to rest on. It’s older than any dinosaur bone and older than anything in the periodic table of elements. In fact, God’s desire for relationship with you is older than the dust that Adam was created out of. You have access to this incredible relationship with God through His Holy Spirit, who lives in you.

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by admin

Bring Your Kingdom

Recently, I listened to a teaching that reminded me how good it is to remember that we (as Christians) are citizens of God’s Kingdom. We have a large family in the faith — brothers and sisters in the Lord, all over the world. God’s Spirit is moving and the Gospel is advancing more than ever. Our family is growing, even today! 

Jesus talked about the Kingdom more than anything else. 

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by admin

Concentrated Radiation

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” — Romans 5:8

Recently, I read this story and it freshly reminded me of what Jesus Christ did for us.

“It was May 21, 1946. The place – Los Alamos. A young and daring scientist was carrying out a necessary experiment in preparation for the atomic test to be conducted in the waters of the South Pacific.

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by admin

Restoration Projects

“And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you”— 1 Peter 5:10.

During last month’s windstorm, my wheelbarrow blew over and the handle snapped off as it hit the ground. A wheelbarrow with a missing handle is not that useful. I was about to throw it away when it occurred to me that I could replace the broken handle. I went to the local hardware store and, low and behold, they sold replacement handles. So, I bought two and my son, Mclane, and I started on the project. We disassembled the entire wheelbarrow, replaced the handles and put it back together. It was a fun project. I enjoyed working with my son and I saved some money (two handles are cheaper than one new wheelbarrow).

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by admin

Prepare for War

Not long ago, God reminded me that we are in a war. There is a battle raging within our society, culture and in the Church. But, our battle is NOT against COVID-19, masks, politics or people…it’s against the devil and his army. As members of God’s Church, we need to prepare for this war and walk in God’s victory.

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by admin

Walk by Faith

To walk by faith is not the same thing as merely being entertained by Jesus. Christian author Paul Tripp put it this way, “There is a radical difference between amazement and faith. Faith is a commitment of your heart to a reality that changes the way you live.” 

What will it take for us to go from amazement to faith? It can be so easy for our fickle hearts to forget the Lord’s faithfulness in our lives. We quickly forget what Jesus did just last week or even yesterday. 

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by Caleb Yetton

Use Your Words Wisely

Research shows that we speak at least 7,000 words per day — some of us, even more. It’s easy to get ourselves in trouble with that quantity and believe me, I’m no stranger to it. This can be especially true when words come out of our mouths (or from a keyboard) on topics we care about.

Our passion, our pride and our words can fly out at an alarming rate. We go toe-to-toe with anyone who wants to step up to the plate. Once done with the argument, we might feel that we came out on top. As a result, we boast about our great words. However, in times like that, most of us spoke emotionally or in the flesh, not in the Spirit.

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by Tony D'Amico