The Rock Church

Jesus Saves

“I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” (1 John 5:13)

With Christmas just a couple weeks away, I’ve been contemplating eternal matters. I’d like to share two different true stories that I experienced a few years ago. They are similar stories but have different endings. Both accounts involve funerals. One involved someone I’d never met, the other a dear friend.

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The Comfort of The Suffering Servant

One of my best friend’s son has recently been in the hospital for several weeks. It has been heartbreaking to see their family walk through so much pain and uncertainty. In moments like those, when the weight of our struggles feels overwhelming, I find myself praying. I pray for the Lord to help us see that suffering, while deeply painful, is never without meaning. Equally important, we are never beyond the reach of our Great Comforter.

A quote (often attributed to Augustine of Hippo) comes to mind: “God had one Son on earth without sin, but never one without suffering.” 

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Life Is But A Breath

As you’re probably aware, on July 13, there was an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. The bullets fired in this senseless act of violence killed a man; he was shielding his family from harm. They also critically injured two other men while grazing Trump’s ear. The bullet that hit Trump would have been lethal if he hadn’t turned his head immediately before the bullet passed by. Shortly after I heard the news, I started thinking. I thought about the possible retaliation against other political figures and even the divisions that could arise in the Church. 

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Looking Forward

A lot of the world is looking forward to celebrating Easter. I know I am, as well. Hiding eggs for my children and grandchildren to find is so enjoyable. It’s fun to hide some of them out of reach or in unusual places, so they have to think about it. Not to mention being stuffed with hundred-dollar bills, who wouldn’t be excited to find them? No, not really stuffed with hundo’s, come on. Perhaps they’re filled with candy or something curious. 

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There Was A Garden — Easter 2024

Easter at The Rock Church

The most significant events in the history of mankind are the death, burial, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. John 19:41-42 says that these events happened near the same place. And in that place, there was a garden. While close to each other in both time and location, the meaning of these events is quite different. 

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The Best Ending

(In previous posts I have shared my journey through grief and the many ways the Lord has walked with me. This is my latest entry in that collection. These posts have been helpful for me to write and look back on. When intense waves of sadness come, I read them. In the same way, I hope that in your times of sorrow, they can help you as well.)

Over the last year, I’ve read a book series I’ve fallen in love with. But recently, I’ve had to take a break from it. You see, as much as I love the story, I am equally dreading what will happen next. Without giving away any spoilers, I will just say this….the story is not ending how I want it to.

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His Mercies Are New Every Morning (and Every Year)

“But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope. The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” — Lamentations 3:21-23

It’s almost hard to believe that another year has come and gone. Every year, I seem more surprised by how quickly the calendar year moves. The new year always feels like a mixed bag of emotions. While January 1 can seem to give the appearance of a clean slate for goals, resolutions, and moving forward, it’s really no different from December 31.  

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by Caleb Yetton

Grief-Stained Joy

Every day, I read from Milton Vincent’s book, “A Gospel Primer.” It has a 31-part section that fits nicely into my daily devotional routine. This phrase always catches me each time I read it (on the 14th of the month). He refers to a “grief-stained joy.” That idea resonates with me deeply when contemplating life. Especially today, as I write this, about ten steps away from my wife Jeanne’s hospital bed — it’s  awkwardly positioned in our bedroom. This verse specifically comes to mind as I search for solace.

“If your instructions hadn’t sustained me with joy, I would have died in my misery.” — Psalm 119:92

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Hope in Hardship

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” — John 14:27 (NIV84)

A few weeks ago, I taught how to have hope in the midst of hardship. Many people told me that that message was precisely what they needed. I certainly needed to hear it, too! Life is always full of suffering, and there is no way to avoid it. In fact, Jesus promised, “In this world, you will have trouble.” (John 16:33b)

The reality of pain and suffering forces us to ask ourselves, “Where is my hope?” Jean-Paul Sartre, a well-known atheist, was agonizing over the thought of death. People heard him repeatedly say, “I know I shall die in hope…but hope needs a foundation!” I am eternally thankful to God for giving us a solid foundation on which we can have hope – even as we walk through the valley of death, difficulty, grief, and sorrow.

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The Death of Death — Easter 2023

Easter at The Rock Church

Of all our fears in this world, there is none greater than the fear of death. Whether we are willing to admit it or not, it is everyone’s deepest fear. But what if something happened that meant we no longer had to fear it? What if something (or Someone) ushered in the death of death?

Every Easter, Christians celebrate that when Jesus died on the cross, was buried and rose again on the third day, He conquered the power of sin. Surely, the empty tomb is the proclamation that death is forever defeated. There is a power stronger than the grave — found in the life of Jesus Christ.

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