The Rock Church

Hospitality

Hospitality seems to be less popular nowadays than what I remember throughout my life. It’s also different from what I’ve read about in the past. In biblical times, showing hospitality to strangers was an absolute privilege. On top of that, people would vie for the chance to do so. Thankfully, many people worldwide still go out of their way to invite others into their homes to share a meal.

Something special happens when we let down our guard and focus on others. On many occasions (and in many places), my wife and I have sat at the tables of generous people. Some of you reading this were kind enough to open your homes to us. Thank you! That act of kindness is bearing fruit in our family. Here is a great verse to consider.

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Meeting Together

I have been undeniably blessed and privileged to meet with many people over the years. In fact, it is one of the most character-developing habits the Lord has placed in my life. I’m naturally an introvert; before giving my life to Christ, I was pretty happy riding my horse of life alone. Just me and my family. Perhaps you can relate? Without a doubt, a “lone ranger” existence was just fine by me. Now, I’m not saying that’s wrong. But I do believe God has better for us. These verses always spur me on,

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Pray for Workers

My family and I have been incredibly blessed to be part of what God has been doing in Utah for the last 24 years. So many lives have changed. We’ve had the privilege of working side-by-side with Gospel-minded people daily; and the Spirit of God continues to move in extraordinary ways. I certainly believe we came here on the wings of prayers from the faithful saints before us. They were people who recognized the need for workers in this place. Prayer warriors, maybe even some of you reading this? It reminds me of this verse. 

“These were his instructions to them: “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.” — Luke 10:2

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Let it Snow!

I have a love/hate relationship with snow. The lovely song that Frank Sinatra made famous, “Let It Snow,” brings a certain whimsical set of emotions. Yes, the snow is beautiful! Yet, my back is aching, and driving is stressful. When pondering the statement “let it snow,” I can’t help but be reminded of the One (and only One) who controls the snow.

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Happy New Year

I don’t know about you, but I’m saying good riddance to Old Man 2022. For me, 2022 is like an old, noisy street. As I close the door on it, I find myself hoping for clarity and quietly looking forward to a new year. Honestly, we made it past 2020, 2021, and 2022 — there must be some consolation prize. For those of us who know Jesus, there is a consolation prize. It’s the same as in all the years of eternity past — 2023 holds all the fulfilled promises in Christ Jesus. This verse is like the Times Square ball drop of verses for us as Christians.

“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” — 2 Corinthians 5:17

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Treasure

Have you ever discovered a treasure? I can easily get caught up in treasure hunt shows on TV. I’m so eager for them to find something. It seems like most of the time, however, they chase a story or a tall tale. Unbelievably, the treasure somehow slipped past the previous 5,000 treasure hunters. In fact, most of the time, they don’t find anything.

My family knows I love treasure stories. About five years ago, they bought me a metal detector for Father’s Day. I think they figured I’d share with them if I found something! One time during a family gathering, I had fun with them . I pulled out the new metal detector and waved it over a spot in the yard where the grass annually faded into the shape of a gravesite. Of course, the metal detector made all kinds of noises, and we got several shovels out. We frantically dug, and everyone was surprised to find a concrete slab below the ground. At least almost everyone (I kind of knew what we’d see).

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Seasons

I certainly love the different seasons of the year in Utah. This year, we had record-breaking heat, and it seemed like the hot summer would never relent. Now we anticipate the fall leading into winter. They say, “A hot summer leads to a cold winter!” I like and dislike many things in every season. As a young man (with a bit of wanderlust), I tried to escape the cold winter by living in Arizona, California, and Florida. Those are all fine places, but I yearned for a more dramatic change of seasons, similar to my Midwest upbringing.

We moved our family to Utah in the spring of 1999. It wasn’t for the remarkable topography and weather; we wanted our lives to bear fruit. In retrospect, it was a sweet season for our young family of five. I honestly believe it was a pretty simple plan. We raised our faith-filled sails, and God (the Holy Spirit) billowed us along.

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For Such a Time as This

Every once in a while, I find myself in just the right place at just the right time. When I do, this verse comes to my mind,

“Who knows if perhaps you were created for such a time as this.“ — Esther 4:14b

I learned this verse from the Old Testament — in the story of Esther and her Uncle Mordecai. I encourage you to read the book of Esther. It’s a treasure of truth, highlighting God’s sovereignty and ability to turn the tables for His glory. Undeniably, God has good plans for us to walk in.

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Real Love

In the pursuit of “real love” in my life, I’ve come across only one, truly reliable source. That source is Jesus, the lover of my soul. Many things fight for the attention of my mind and the affections of my heart; only Jesus fills me with what I so desperately need. He is honest, trustworthy, dependable, fulfilling, sustaining, intimate and complete love. I like this verse:

“We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters” — 1 John 3:16

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New Bodies

I’m ready for a new body. How about you? Maybe (like me) your body is experiencing the effects of over doing it a bit while celebrating Resurrection Day last weekend? As I get older, I often yearn for the new body God promises us in the Bible. Read this:

“For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands. 2 We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long to put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing. 3 For we will put on heavenly bodies; we will not be spirits without bodies. 4 While we live in these earthly bodies, we groan and sigh, but it’s not that we want to die and get rid of these bodies that clothe us. Rather, we want to put on our new bodies so that these dying bodies will be swallowed up by life.” — 2 Corinthians 5:1-4 (NLT) 

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