Is it just me or are we living in a time when people seem to be more and more disgruntled at almost everything? Have you noticed it? What’s the big problem, anyway?
Well, according to the “The Top Tens” list, the world’s top five problems are: Drug Abuse, War and Terrorism, Poverty, Population Growth, and Pollution. The list goes on; this is just the first five.
Posted in A Word from the Pastor by admin
“Sing a new song to the Lord!
Let the whole earth sing to the Lord!
Sing to the Lord; praise his name.
Each day proclaim the good news that he saves.
Publish his glorious deeds among the nations.
Tell everyone about the amazing things he does.” — Psalm 96:1-3
These past two weeks have been incredibly encouraging in regard to worship music, praise, and how those things bring us together!
Posted in A Word from the Pastor by admin
The Bible is not a science textbook. But, when it speaks about science, it is 100% accurate. Evidence for this claim can be found in the stars.
Did you know that before telescopes were invented, people counted the stars with just their eyes? They didn’t have TV, so they watched the stars and counted them. On a clear night, a person could see easily see a couple of thousand (with the naked eye).
Posted in A Word from the Pastor by admin
What do you do with your guilt? How do you deal with the feelings of remorse over sin? How do you manage the lingering thoughts of sorrow and shame? Guilt is like that awful neighbor who’s always poking his head up over the fence to tell us how terrible our garden looks.
Posted in A Word from the Pastor by admin
While on vacation this summer, my family and I stayed with relatives who live on an Ohio farm of over one hundred acres! One morning, the kids were out playing in the yard and the farmer asked if we wanted to take turns riding in the tractor while he fertilized the crops?
Posted in A Word from the Pastor by admin
“The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me…” — Psalm 138:8 (NIV84)
“For when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep.” — Acts 13:36 (NIV84)
Sometimes life can get confusing. Even for me (as a Christian leader for over 35 years), I occasionally wonder, “God, what are you doing?” or “God, what do you want ME to do?” As a planner, I like to know the answers to both of these questions (especially as it relates to the direction our church is going). It can be somewhat unnerving to feel a bit “directionless” at times.
Posted in A Word from the Pastor by admin
I love being on mission. Not just in far away places but also in the here and now. Teaming together with Jesus (and other Christians) in prayer, planning, and sharing the Gospel, is the quintessential life in Christ. I think the here and now is the actual living out of a life in Christ, or the realization of what Jesus was talking about when He described the full life in Christ. I’m not talking about a “campfire-singing-Kum Ba Yah” sort of existence. Instead, it’s more of a real day-to-day intimacy with God. The kind that is with me through my highs, my lows, and walks me through the here and now moments of life.
Posted in A Word from the Pastor by admin
“Sing a new song to the Lord!
Let the whole earth sing to the Lord!
Sing to the Lord; praise his name.
Each day proclaim the good news that he saves.
Publish his glorious deeds among the nations.
Tell everyone about the amazing things he does.
Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise!” — Psalm 96:1-4
Posted in A Word from the Pastor by admin
I started reading my Bible regularly when I was high school (way back in 1991-1995). Man, does time fly! It has been a part of my daily routine ever since. Over the years, I have read a number of translations: NASB, NIV and ESV primarily. Well, this year, I decided to mix it up and read from The Message version.
Posted in A Word from the Pastor by admin
“I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel — which is no gospel at all.” Galatians 1:6 (NIV84)
My older sister has an innate ability to discern distress in my voice. Many years ago, our first-born son, Joseph, was admitted to the hospital for an unknown virus; he was only 10 weeks old! I called my sister to let her know. “What’s wrong?” came her instant and concerned response to my weak greeting. She had me. I burst into tears as the stress and torment of the last few hours overwhelmed me. My sister knew me too well — I couldn’t put up a front. Something was wrong and she discerned it immediately.
Posted in A Word from the Pastor by admin