20 years ago, Pastor Mark had a vision of returning to Jesus’ calling of people to put aside differences, ALL differences: racial, social, economic, political, for the sake of a bigger mission. This past Sunday, he supported that with the Word. There is no denying that every generation of Bible readers has cultural blinders that ..read more

As Pastor Mark walked us through Ephesians this past Sunday morning, he pointed to the diversity of the church, the body of Christ, which led to a pondering of the purposes of the body.   The church exists to celebrate God’s presence.  Psalm 34:3 (NKJV) 3 Oh, magnify the Lord with me, And let us exalt His ..read more

The unconditional love of God unites Christ-followers while also manifesting His characteristics through the fruit of the Spirit so believers and unbelievers alike can witness it.  In his sermon this past Sunday, Pastor Harry described it as agape love.   John Ortberg captures the different kinds of love in his book, Love Beyond Reason.  He says ..read more

Pastor Mark referenced Hebrews 11:1 this past Sunday: (ESV) Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.  Having faith is not only internally passive to one’s life. The conviction mentioned here creates actions which manifest the presence of faith.  Believing and applying the Word of God changes your ..read more

Various traditions describe the holy grail as an object with miraculous healing power, sometimes providing eternal youth or sustenance in infinite abundance. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines the holy grail as any elusive object or goal of great significance may be perceived as a “holy grail” by those seeking such. The search for this object throughout ..read more

This past Saturday, Jeanean and I were having a conversation about social media andhow sometimes those replying to other people’s posts are a bit harsh. As Christfollowers, we should be gracious with our words, using the opportunity for Christ’skindness to shine through, especially in a public or even virtually public setting, so thatothers might see ..read more

We must practice Spiritual disciplines to be like Christ. 1 Peter 1:14-16 (ESV) As obedientchildren, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as He who calledyou is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I amholy.”Jesus implies that we ..read more

Submitting to God’s will and living our lives accordingly, which in turn produces the fruits of the Spirit, is the life that God intends for us.  Pastor Mark kicked off our next eight weeks of study around the fruits of the Spirit noted in Galatians 5:22-23 this past Sunday, using the fruit of patience as his focus after we spent the last month studying the fruit of joy. And although it’s not specifically listed in verses 19-21, one of the challenges to patience (with a knock-on effect to others fruits of the Spirit) is a life’s schedule that is too full of works of the flesh, in much the ..read more

These are two words that do not seem to go together AT ALL. In this election year, many of us rather feel more like Habakkuk: “How long, Lord, must I call for help,     but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, “Violence!”     but you do not save? Why do you make me look at injustice?     Why do you tolerate wrongdoing? Destruction and violence are before me;     there is strife, and conflict abounds. Therefore the law is paralyzed,     and justice never prevails. The wicked hem in the righteous,     so that justice is perverted.” Peo ..read more

Living with joy should be a discipline we seek to employ in our everyday lives, just as is praying and meditating on Scripture.  God has enabled us, through Christ, to live this way.  In Nehemiah 8:10 the prophet says the joy of the Lord is our strength.  In his book, The Life You’ve Always Wanted, John Ortberg describes the need to pursue joy through practicing celebration.  Just as meditating on scripture or fasting produce a better relationship with God, celebrating while reflecting on how God has blessed us will also transform our lives. The joy created out of celebrati ..read more