Keeping it Simple, Checking the Boxes, part 2. Dear Church Family and Friends,  Have you ever worked for an organization that had a specific system for how something had to be done? Have you ever noticed how a simple task can become so analyzed, defined and developed over time that it is no longer simple? Can restrictions and requirements become so involved that the intended goal of an activity ge...  Read More

Big Boxes First! Dear Church Family and Friends,  It is very easy to "major on the minors." Being conformed to our culture's message that a good parent or grandparent checks all the boxes of activity that will keep everyone in the household busy, does not guarantee that our family will be living meaningfully. This is especially true when it comes to making decisions for family life and relationshi...  Read More

Prayers for What We and Others Need, the final message in the series, "Can you Hear Me, God?" Dear Church Family and Friends,  When we think of what constitutes a need, the definition can get muddy real fast. There are felt needs, emotional needs, physical needs, and ultimately spiritual needs. Needs differ on stage of life, location, profession, and economic status. God's Word spends no time aski...  Read More

Prayers for Direction, a continuation of the series, "Can you Hear Me, God?" Dear Church Family and Friends,  Friend, I know something about you. I know there are times in your life when you have wondered what the right thing to do is. I know you have experienced forks in the road in your relationships, career, and in your hobbies. Does God offer specific direction to people on what path they shou...  Read More

Prayers Aligned with God's Purpose Dear Church Family and Friends,  Imagine walking up to your boss and saying, "Can I have your affirmation and guidance to evaluate our systems and outcomes, so that we can double net profits of the company next year?" How do you think he/she would respond? Imagine a soldier saying to their commanding officer, "I am prepared and willing for any assignment you want...  Read More

 Desperate Prayer Dear Church Family and Friends,  King Hezekiah was a really good king that followed and preceded a long line of not good kings. Hezekiah was only 39 years old when he became deathly ill and the prophet Isaiah came to visit Hezekiah and told him he was going to die. The many ways Hezekiah could have responded, Hezekiah chose to humble himself and call on the mercy of God. This was...  Read More

Jesus on Prayer Dear Church Family and Friends,  Have you ever been assembling something for a child or grandchild and realized you either missed a step or got something out of order? Having a finished picture of what something is to look like and step by step instructions is really helpful!  Jesus gave his early followers and us a model prayer to help us approach the Father and to experience answ...  Read More

For All In Authority  Dear Church Family and Friends,  The political pendulum in our country predictably swings back and forth. We probably tend to pray more about matters of governance when things are not going in the direction we believe is right. What we often forget is that no matter who is in authority, we are commanded to pray for them and to seek the welfare of the people and the places whe...  Read More

Building for the Storms Dear Church Family and Friends,  Generally speaking, building codes are put in place to ensure that new structures will be safe and resilient. We have learned much from weather events and seismic conditions of the past. Those hard lessons have shaped how we establish and put together a building for today.  As Jesus spoke to the crowds, he finished with a call to truly hear ...  Read More

Praise & Thanks to God Dear Church Family and Friends,  Have you ever felt compelled to pause and give praise and thanks to God? While we should be grateful to and praise God every day throughout the day, there are those special moments of awareness that God has been very gracious with us. When that awareness comes, we should take the time to let His grace soak in and reflect back our gratitude.. ...  Read More

Taking Jesus at His Word Dear Church Family and Friends,  The father in this passage was in the worst place of his life. His son was dying. But because he had faith to go to Jesus, Jesus did a work that transformed him and his entire family from death to life. When you have a faith that takes Jesus at his Word you will not only experience transformation yourself, but God can use you to transform t...  Read More

NEXT, an unfinished journey, part 4Dear Church Family and Friends,  There is a secret to being content and at peace no matter what. This is especially true when we are making commitments. Whether we are giving our word to be helpful to someone in need, or pledging to donate money to fund a project, or pledging to the covenant of marriage with our life partner, we need this secret to contentment.  ...  Read More