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

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

A Heart for the Lord

Having recently finished the book of Ezra, I was greatly encouraged and convicted by this Old Testament priest’s example. He clearly had a genuine heart for the Lord. 

Let me give you a little background on Ezra. While the people of Israel were in captivity in Persia, God put it on the heart of Persian King Artaxerxes to have the temple in Jerusalem rebuilt. How cool is that?! God can use anyone for His purposes. After the temple restoration was complete, Ezra was sent by the king to teach the people living in Jerusalem about the Law of God. 

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by Caleb Yetton

Our Identity in the Love of Jesus

I was recently reminded of a teaching I heard about the disciple, John. When John refers to himself, as “the disciple whom Jesus loved” we see where John found his identity. Likewise, we can be encouraged that ours can be found there, too. 

There are countless ways that we can label ourselves. Even in saying we are “lovers of Jesus” we can put so much of the onus on our effort. As a result, we miss the mark. Instead, Christian, may we find our identity in the love of Jesus. 

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by Caleb Yetton

In the Midst of the Chaos

This has certainly been an interesting couple of months in our history, am I right? Our typical routines were thrown out the window and we were forced to adjust on the fly. The Lord recently used my nearly two-year old daughter, Joan, to teach me a valuable lesson in the midst of the chaos. 

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by Caleb Yetton

Sing to Jesus Wherever You Are

I miss being able to be in the same room to worship Jesus together. But, you know what is great news? You can sing to Jesus wherever you are. 

Today, you can sing to Jesus in your home — with your family, your roommates or just by yourself. I would encourage you to be in the habit of doing so during this time of social distancing. 

Posted in A Word from the Pastor, Uncategorized by Caleb Yetton

Jesus Meets Us in the Middle of the Storm

How does Jesus respond to our difficulties? Does He even see what we are going through? Does He know we are in the middle of a storm? What is His message for us?

I want to encourage you, Christian, that Jesus sees us, even when we are struggling most. His desire is to come to us in our time of need and help us take courage.

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by Caleb Yetton

I Don’t Know Who Needs to Hear This

There is this trend on social media where people write “I don’t know who needs to hear this…” and then finish the phrase with a humorous or heartfelt tagline. With the use of that line, I have read some pretty hilarious things as well as overwhelmingly beautiful messages. 

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by Caleb Yetton

Come What May

“I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” — Psalm 18:1-2

It’s never easy to go through trials or see others go through them. The health scare Mac went through in Sweden recently, could have easily sent our hearts and minds down many paths. The reminder of life’s fragile state is always sobering. 

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by Caleb Yetton

Abraham’s Faith

When we read about Abraham’s faith in the “Hall of Faith” in Hebrews (Chapter 11), it’s incredibly inspiring to think of the belief he displayed. He left the land of his people and followed the Lord’s calling on his life; he went to the land that God would give to his descendants, the nation of Israel. Abraham believed God to do unbelievably miraculous things. Genesis 15:6 says that “[Abraham] believed the Lord and he counted it to him as righteousness.” 

I often wonder what I would have done if I had been in his shoes. It can be easy to read Hebrews 11 and forget what Abraham’s faith looked like in a real-life. In a practically lived-out sense. I can wrongly think that Abraham’s faith was a flawless, unattainable faith with no doubts in it. However, when I was reading through Genesis recently, I was struck by something in Abraham’s interaction with the Lord. 

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by Caleb Yetton