The Rock Church

Divine Appointments

“And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.” So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.” — Acts 8:29-31

Last year, I took my family to a popular ice cream shop in Logan. The store was particularly busy, and the line snaked out of the shop. I grabbed a bench outside, and Krista and the kids got in line. As I sat, I noticed another dad claim a nearby seat as his family also got in line.

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by admin

Bold as a Lion

“The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.” — Proverbs 28:1

Do you read the news? There is certainly a lot out there to cause worry and fear in my heart. So much is going on — from political unrest to droughts (and now flooding), shootings, economic news (inflation, the banking crisis, or interest rates), wars, rumors of wars, increasing wickedness, the love of many growing cold, etc. All that is happening locally, nationally, and globally naturally fills us with worry and fear.

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by admin

Pocket Gopher and Proverbs

Last fall, I had a pocket gopher problem. This pest somehow got into my backyard and started tunneling everywhere. It created dozens of mounds around my garden. Then it started moving toward my trees, which could kill them! So I declared war on the gopher. After watching various YouTube videos, I tried flooding, poison, and traps. Unfortunately, none of it worked; the gopher kept digging. Fortunately, the YouTube algorithm suggested a video for a particularly effective trap. I ordered it, and the gopher was dead within five minutes of setting it.

I thought of my gopher problem when I read these verses in my quiet time last week:

“Can a man walk on hot coals without his feet being scorched? So is he who sleeps with another man’s wife; none who touches her will go unpunished.” — Proverbs 6:28-29

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by admin

Owner’s Manual

“Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the aged, for I keep your precepts.” — Psalm 119:98-100

The clock radio alarm went off at 5:40 a.m.; I turned it off and got out of bed. My wife said, “What was the rest of that commercial? The one that was just on?” I said, “I didn’t hear.” (A statement to my auto-piloting when I get up.) She replied, “The commercial said, ‘If only there were an owner’s manual for relationships?’” However, since I turned it off, we will never know. 

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by admin

Discipline, Testing, or Training?

How do you want your life (or your children’s lives) to go? Smooth, easy, tranquil, and stress-free, I assume? I certainly doubt if anyone wakes up thinking, “I would like a lot of adversity today.” or “I hope my children experience some real hardships this week.”

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by admin

Be Ready

“Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.” — Matthew 25:13

We recently spoke at church about the inevitable return of Jesus Christ. We emphasized the importance of being ready for that day. Jesus certainly talked about His return many times in the gospels, especially in Matthew 24 and 25 (the Olivet Discourse). First, He shared signs of the end of the age. Then, He concluded with parables (to teach the importance of being ready).

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by admin

Soccer Cleats

“For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith…” — Romans 12:4-6

These verses explain how the Church is made of different parts (people); they fulfill unique functions, like a human body. We do not have the same roles, but collectively, God uses us to do incredible things. I recently witnessed a powerful example of this.

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by admin

Not All Have Faith

“Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you, and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.” — 2 Thessalonians 3:1-2

I have really appreciated studying 1 & 2 Thessalonians this summer. As he concluded his second letter, Paul asked the Thessalonians (and us) to pray for some specific things.

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by admin

Jesus the Killer

“And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming.” — 2 Thessalonians 2:8

Have you ever read a verse that stopped you? Made you really think about something in a way you hadn’t before? As our Youth Group read through the New Testament this year, it was good to study the Gospels, Epistles and Revelation. A few months ago, I read the above verse and like I said, it stopped me. The chapter talked about the end times (eschatology); it described the Antichrist and the return of Jesus. But the phrase, “the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth” stopped me. 

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by admin

Though The Earth Gives Way

“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth! The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.” — Psalm 46:10-11

Do you realize that it has been over two years since COVID entered our reality? Our last regular church service (before we temporarily closed) was March 8, 2020. Undeniably, the two years since then have been unlike anything I’ve ever known.

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by admin