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

NEXT, an unfinished journey, part 3Dear Church Family and Friends,  How often are your motives affected by what others think about you? So much of our living takes place in a world where what is on the outside is held up as mattering most. However, our greatest, most generous actions from the heart happen when we are most concerned with what God thinks. When we are confident in Christ, we are free...  Read More

NEXT, an unfinished journey, part 2 Dear Church Family and Friends,  What are some decisions you have had to make that affected not only your life, but the life of others around you? How did you make those decisions? Why was it important to consider the impact your decision making would have on others? Jesus unselfishly pursued what was in our best interest. He humbled himself and gave himself as ...  Read More

NEXT, a continuous journey Dear Church Family and Friends,  As seasons change, we face new challenges and opportunities and have fresh hopes and desires. Coming into spring gives us a fresh awareness of our opportunity to plant and cultivate the growth around our homes and properties, to do house projects, and to address the seasonal needs of family and demands of work. On our spiritual journey wi...  Read More

An invitation from Jesus Dear Church Family and Friends,  Jesus masterfully invited people into a relationship through personal, dignifying, and transformative means. This Mother’s Day, we will be invited to go a little deeper with Jesus, whether we are busy and distracted like Martha (Luke 10), simply known for having a sinful life (Luke 7), or fully engaged in the mission, like the women found i...  Read More

Restoration Realized Dear Church Family and Friends,   It is so easy to have our hearts weighed down by what we deal with in this life day after day. There is so much going on in and around our lives that is distressing and distracting that we lose sight of what we are ultimately heading toward. Dealing with our sin issues that keep God at a distance is necessary to experience the hope the LORD lo...  Read More

Invitation to Restoration Dear Church Family and Friends,  It is sometimes difficult to feel wanted. That is especially true if at some point you were rejected or turned away from. To hear a sincere invitation to be included, that you are wanted in the circle, can be hard to believe. After turning away from His people for a brief time because of their persistent rebellion, God reaffirmed His good ...  Read More