The Race. Our Christian life is a race, not one of sprinting, but one of endurance. We make our life interesting to say the least. Because we can truly say that our life is not one of performance or perfection, but of pushing on to the end. We come to a place where we get moments of clarity followed by landslides of doubt. `And this is the life we are to live. This is not an anomaly, but one of normality. Our life, remember, is getting us ready for eternity, not this life as the end goal. So, what we are going through is beyond the scope of our worldview here, and embraces the kingdom view of ..read more

We have learned some important things abut ourselves. We have two rulers at odds in our brain, the conscious and the sub-conscious. The rider and the elephant. Now matter how much the rider conscious wants to control the behavior our sub-conscious will attempt to over throw the effort just by bringing other thoughts, (especially from the past or future). Then we talked about the default mindset, taking us to places that we don’t want to go. It causes us to lose focus on the matter at hand by looking at everything and everyone around us. This causes the victim mentality to try and get us to ref ..read more

This morning we are privileged to welcome Aron Musingo from Uganda and Resurrection of Hope to our church. Aron is going to share some things from his ministry in Africa. We have been honored to share in his ministry for a number of years now and it will be great to hear first hand how God is working in that part of the world. Let’s give him our attention and maybe get an insight as to how better we might be able to pray and give toward their cause. In His Service, Pastor Brent ..read more

So, last Sunday we got to the if part of Colossians 3, and we agree that: 1. we were raised with Christ 2. we should seek those things above 3. we should set our minds on things above And 4. that our life is hidden with Christ Then, we need to follow with the other things that teach the rider (our conscious decision maker) what to do with the thoughts and resulting actions acquainted with those thoughts. Following these affirmations we can begin to deal with the elephant ie, the subsequent emotions and mindset that has been pivotal in programming our nature. (the old man). But, we have to reme ..read more

In the battle to renew our mind, we need to have the time to evaluate our next move. And, therefore allow the Holy Spirit the ability to communicate to us what our response should be. In the continuance of this series let’s focus on the rebuilding after the tear down of our old self. It only takes a few weeks to establish a new habit. Nobody says much about unestablishing an old habit. I realize I have repeated routines in the morning, I can almost do them blind-folded. But if another factor interrupts the timing of my routine or breaks the order of things being done, there is a pause while I ..read more

Is it our job to get along and accept the mores and fads happening in the span of our lives, or, is it our job to stand up and oppose everything going on? What if I told you it was neither? What if I said that the Lord was concerned with what you were doing much more than what everyone around you is doing? Would that be okay with you? The verse containing the conform or transform words has to do with whether we will succumb to the plans and schemes of the world, or, walk in the newness which is in Christ. This, however, takes a transformation in thinking, in living, and in the immersion of one ..read more

 Mark 16:1 Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome brought spices that they might come and anoint Him.   Even Jesus’ mother couldn’t believe the ultimate about  her Son...that He was going to be raised from the dead. So, they came to make the situation smell better. They brought spices and ointments out of respect for who Jesus had been. Let’s not kid ourselves, Jesus presents a problem in our life.  Either we are all in, or we are on the way out. There is no middle ground concerning the Son of God.  Do you believe Him, o ..read more

The last week of Jesus’ life was so much of a roller coaster, that it is hard to be believed. Although much of His life was similar, nothing compares to being hunted, adored to the point of calls for His kingship, then brutally tortured and crucified. The emotional toll alone would be enough to kill a person, but then to continue to mentor and teach these disciples with kindness and love is above and beyond what we expect. If there ever was an example of laying down one’s life, it is Jesus’ days before His death, not even including when He went to the cross, it is those days before. We compart ..read more

After Jesus raised Lazarus, He went into semi hiding as the Pharisees were seething about the miracle he performed. He stayed in the area while the Sanhedrin was debating the fate of His future. They also had decided that they would kill Lazarus so he wouldn’t be any kind of proof of Jesus’ deity and Lord over even death. After things cool down somewhat, Jesus returns to Bethany and the house of Mary, Martha and Lazarus to wait for the beginning of Passover. He was having dinner with His disciples and the family when Judas relived the moment that Mary had anointed Jesus with the expensive oil ..read more

 Neighbors, wives, and our enemies.  What!  Do you know what my neighbor, wife, husband (yes they’re included) has done to me? Pretty sure God does even though I might not.  In fact, God knows everything!  Not just most things.  And, yes, He understands all the circumstances surrounding the decisions you have to make concerning the crux of your (and my) salvation. “Unless your righteousness exceeds that of the Pharisees you will not enter into the kingdom of God” Jesus said.  He said it because we need to know what He is made of not what we are made of. Hi ..read more