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It seems like all we hear today is how people are different and each one of us must change to accommodate the other. This often ends with undesirable results. God did make each one of us different and he gave us free will. Our differences are what help us grow as a people and as a society. Our differences help us to better understand what is written in the bible and how to interpret what God’s plan is for us. God does not require us to win approval of other people, it is God’s approval that is required. Galatians 1:10 10 Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am ..read more

Life comes with many obstacles and often they cause us hardship. In times of hardship it is easy to blame others and, in some cases, we blame God.   Picture yourself on a beach digging a hole in the sand. You have been working on it for a while and are unaware of the rising tide. You work diligently and complete your task and look forward to enjoying the fruits of your labor. You are offered an ice cream cone and with a big smile on your face you sit next to your hole ready to start eating your cone. Suddenly a wave pushes up behind you. You quickly turn to see that your hole filling w ..read more

Agape Love I can look back on my life and see many good deeds. I can look at my current faith journey and see Hope and Faith. It wasn’t that long ago that I learned it has all meant nothing. I was still missing the most important part. I always thought of the Bible as a How-To book. The Ten Commandments is a good example of what you can and cannot do. God’s law is well documented and very often talked about in sermons. A couple of years ago I learned what I had been missing, the one element I needed, to be all in, in my faith journey. The missing element was Love. We can do all the right thin ..read more

Forgive to be Forgiven The word ‘Forgive’ means to pardon or overlook an offense. To offer someone ‘Forgiveness’ means we are willing to put it behind us and move on. It does not mean we have to accept unacceptable behavior. It does not mean unacceptable behavior should go unpunished. As humans we are all sinners in need of forgiveness before we can enter God’s kingdom in heaven. John 8:7  (NIV) 7 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”  Even the highest have sinned and req ..read more

Our Lord is Good In reading Psalm 118 I am reminded how our Lord feels about us. With Easter approaching, we look to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Our Father allowed Jesus to die for our sins and then gave him back to us. In Psalm 118 we are reminded that our Father is good. Psalm 118:1 (NIV) 1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;    his love endures forever. Recent events will change how we celebrate this Easter season and will likely have an impact on celebrations for years to come. Many are worried right now, and rightly so, many fea ..read more

He will make it right Matthew Chapter 27 talks about Jesus and his encounter with Pontius Pilate. Jesus had already been found guilty by the chief priests and was now going before Pilate. Jesus knew what the outcome was going to be, he knew his life would be taken. I can’t help but think about how much faith it must have taken for Jesus to stand his ground before Pilate. Matthew 27:11-14  (NIV) 11 Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” “You have said so,” Jesus replied. 12 When he was accused by the chief pries ..read more

Jesus Had Faith, Not Fear John Chapter 11 talks about the death and resurrection of Lazarus. Jesus learned Lazarus was ill and wanted to return to Judea. The Jews in Judea were not welcoming of Jesus and his disciples were concerned about his safety if he returned. John 11:8-11 New International Version 8 “But Rabbi,” they said, “a short while ago the Jews there tried to stone you, and yet you are going back? 9 Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Anyone who walks in the daytime will not stumble, for they see by this world’s light. 10  ..read more

The proof is in the pudding Through life, people will talk about their experiences and often we what we hear but never experience it firsthand for ourselves. In John chapter 4 Jesus meets a woman from Samaria. After their meeting, she went back into town and told her fellow Samaritans about her conversation with Jesus. John 4:39-42 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) 39 Many Samaritans from that city believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I have ever done.” 40 So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them; and he stay ..read more

Change As our Church goes through a change in leadership, Hebrews 13:7 reminds us to look back and remember our Spiritual Leaders. Hebrews 13: 7 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) 7  Remember your leaders, those who spoke the word of God to you; consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. Nellie first came to our Church in January of 2017 and took over the leadership role as our Shepard in June of that year. It is with a heavy heart that we are making a change in leadership. Nellie gave us spiritual guidance to take our Church from dying to thriving ..read more