The Rock Church

Traps by Tony D'Amico

“If a bird sees a trap being set, it knows to stay away.” — Proverbs 1:17 (NLT)

I find a bit of irony in this verse. As human beings, most of us would say we are smarter than birds — that we can make better decisions for ourselves than birds can. But, it’s pretty clear from this verse that when a bird sees a trap being set, it knows to stay away. We’re not quite that smart.

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Posted in A Word from the Pastor by Tony D'Amico
Tags: tony damico, Traps

Royal by admin

In the book of Numbers (Chapter 16), we read about some men who rebelled against Moses and Aaron. They are angry because they think Moses and Aaron are making themselves out to be more holy than the rest of the Israelites. These men are envious of the position Moses and Aaron have among the congregation of Israel.

Instead of going to the Lord, however (with humble and thankful hearts for being His chosen people), they grumble and rebel instead. They are not satisfied with their relationship or position with God. They want position among men. They want to be recognized as great in Israel. 

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Posted in A Word from the Pastor by admin
Tags: billy johnson, Royal

Joyful by admin

Some days it seems like finding joy can be an illusion to me. I see others enjoying a dreamy kind of life (where nothing ever goes wrong and no one even seems to have a bad thought). I think to myself, what a wonderful life they must have. Before long, you may even hear me humming the lyrics to Louis Armstrong’s song “What a Wonderful Life” (in an effort to fake it till I make it). Seriously, I think it is a daily fight to be joyful. But, we must engage in that fight to truly live a joy-filled life.

I was recently reminded of some foundational truths to help bring joy into my life (from Proverbs 8:34), “Joyful are those who listen to me, watching for me daily at my gates, waiting for me outside my home!”

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Posted in A Word from the Pastor by admin
Tags: joyful, Steve McInroy

Open Our Eyes by admin

Have you ever walked into church and been so distracted that you wondered why you even showed up? Or, maybe, you knew why you came, but by the time the worship music began you had lost focus? I sure have. The song Open Our Eyes (from the Your Love Remains album) was written as a prayer. It’s asking the Lord to “open our eyes to see Jesus” and combat these kinds of distractions.

While I’m at church, I wear a lot of different hats. Between being a pastor, a parent, a music director, and a friend, I can get distracted. By the time I open my mouth to sing, I can be more focused on what’s happening around me than what God wants to have happen within me. I can be caught off guard by a comment I wasn’t prepared for, distracted by music equipment, or preoccupied with my children. All the while, the songs are blowing right past me.

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Posted in A Word from the Pastor by admin
Tags: Open Our Eyes, Steele Croswhite

In Ark We Trust by admin

In preparation for our series on the life of David, I have been studying 1& 2 Samuel. A story in 1 Samuel recently caught my eye. The Israelites went out to battle their long-time enemy, the Philistines. They lost the first skirmish, and about 4,000 soldiers were killed. When the Israelites returned to camp that night, they were very discouraged. What was their solution? Did they cry out to God in prayer? Did they seek God’s guidance? No! They sent for the ark of the covenant. Look at what they said in verse 4:3, “Why has the Lord defeated us today before the Philistines? Let us bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord here from Shiloh, that it may come among us and save us from the power of our enemies.”

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Posted in A Word from the Pastor by admin
Tags: In Ark We Trust, Josh Whitney

Don’t Be Alone by admin

“Then they took what Micah had made, and his priest, and went on to Laish, against a people at peace and secure. They attacked them with the sword and burned down their city. There was no one to rescue them because they lived a long way from Sidon and had no relationship with anyone else.” — Judges 18:27-28
 
It’s dangerous to be alone.

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Posted in A Word from the Pastor by admin
Tags: Bill Young, Don't Be Alone

Peace in Patience by Caleb Yetton

“I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry. He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord.” — Psalm 40:1,3 (NLT)

Waiting is super difficult, isn’t it? In The Information Age we live in, having patience is often no longer required. Whether it is online searches, internet shopping, or convenient access to a nearby superstore, we can usually get most things we really want, right away. Naturally, we apply this immediacy mindset to just about every aspect of our lives. This has become one of the greatest lies of our day.

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Posted in A Word from the Pastor by Caleb Yetton
Tags: caleb yetton, Peace in Patience

The Grip of Love by admin

“I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.” — John 10:28

That verse is like a treasure box full of incredible love! The promised assurance and safety coming from the mouth of Jesus grips my heart every time I read it! And it’s these specific words that have really struck me: “no one will snatch them out of my hand.” Jesus is saying that we are so secure in His hands, that nothing can loosen His grip.

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Posted in A Word from the Pastor by admin
Tags: Bryan, Edwards, The Grip of Love

Constructive Criticism by Tony D'Amico

As a designer, putting my designs out there for the world to see always opens up doors of insecurities and doubts for me. The narrative I can easily start telling myself is, “I am not good enough.” or “What am I even doing?” or “There are so many people better at this than me.” Of course, there will always be people who are “better” than me — and you. They are people who have more experience and more knowledge. They are also people who know the value of constructive criticism.

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Posted in A Word from the Pastor by Tony D'Amico
Tags: Constructive, Criticism, D'Amico, Tony

Diamond in the Rough by admin

It’s always a joy to find something of value in an unexpected place — a diamond in the rough. Over the last few years, my family has discovered that one of our favorite things to do together, is to go to yard and estate sales. We look for paintings my wife loves, furniture from the 1800’s, rare musical instruments, and any kind of electronic device that uses tubes. Most of the time we clean the items up and re-sell them. Sometimes, (not very often), we find something we want to hold onto — something worthy of taking to the Antiques Road Show (true story).

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Posted in A Word from the Pastor by admin
Tags: Billy, Diamond, Johnson