"The Parenting Journey" Part 2Dear Church Family and Friends,  We are in week two of “The Parenting Journey” series, and this week we focus on a powerful word, KINDNESS. Healthy relationships have a better chance of thriving when they are laced with kindness. This is especially the case when raising children. Biblical kindness is a “Fruit of the Spirit;” and like a muscle, it can be exercised and ...  Read More

"The Parenting Journey" Part 1Dear Church Family and Friends,  Think about a time that you had to take an involved or long trip--one that demanded that you prioritize what you needed to take.  Remember how there were a lot of good options for what to bring, but only room for what was most important?  God prepares us for the parenting journey first and foremost by identifying the parenting essentia...  Read More

"Questions" Part 4, Jesus and Politics Dear Church Family and Friends,  How has political division in our nation affected you and your family?  Have you ever wondered how God views peoples' polarization over politics?  About the impact of those disagreements on our relationships in the family of God?   About our relationships with others in the world around us?  Jesus' authority and kingdom transc...  Read More

Why is there Evil and Suffering?  Questions Part 3, (2 Peter 3:9, Romans 8:18, 28, Hebrews 4:14-16, Matthew 22:36-40) Dear Church Family and Friends,  Evil and suffering exist but they were not part of God's original design. They exist because mankind used the very autonomy and free will of being made in God's image to deviate from His design. Deviating from God's design is what we call sin and as...  Read More

"Questions" Part 1, How Can We Know God Exists? and How Can I Know Him?  Dear Church Family and Friends,  How can you know that someone actually exists?  If you were assigned the task of investigating someone's life you might visit their last known address of residence and look through any personal items left behind. You could interview people that may have had a personal connection with them.  Yo...  Read More

Facing Reality, 24 Hours with JesusDear Church Family and Friends,  Throughout life most of us have a few vivid moments of a shocking and sobering reality.  Most of the time our mind goes to some unexpected loss.  It could have been the passing of a close relative, classmate or friend, or some other traumatic experience with family, employment, financial or other crisis event.  It could also have ...  Read More

Staying Connected, 24 Hours with Jesus pt3 (John 15)Dear Church Family and Friends,  Most women are pretty intuitive about the quality of their relationships.  Most men tend to run on auto-pilot and then jump to action when there is a problem.  But best practice is to stay "current" and "attentive" to the nuances of relationship.  The dynamic along the way is part of the relationship building proc...  Read More

Grief Turned to Joy, 24 Hours with Jesus, Pt 4 (John 16)Dear Church Family and Friends,  Jesus continues a heavy and confusing discussion with the disciples in their last meal together prior to his death. He encourages them to remain in his love. He encourages them in their purpose to bear fruit for the kingdom of God. That he is the vine and they are the branches. He builds them up and preps thei...  Read More

Staying Connected, 24 Hours with Jesus pt3 (John 15)Dear Church Family and Friends,  Most women are pretty intuitive about the quality of their relationships.  Most men tend to run on auto-pilot and then jump to action when there is a problem.  But best practice is to stay "current" and "attentive" to the nuances of relationship.  The dynamic along the way is part of the relationship building proc...  Read More

Marriage Matters Blog, 006Vows & A Daily Ring ExchangeEarly on in our marriage, we started the daily habit of renewing our vows. Before one of us would leave the house in the morning, we would hand the other person our wedding ring. A promise would be spoken over the other person as they slid the wedding ring onto the ring finger.The promise was always new, meaningful, and it's a daily habit of re...  Read More

Marriage Matters Blog, 005ExpectationsExpectations are not inherently bad- they are the standard we hold for our lives. Challenges arise in marriage when expectations are unspoken. Unspoken expectations are a recipe for resentment.Unmet expectations lead to frustration. Unrealistic expectations lead to feelings of inadequacy.Let's talk about the way forward for your marriage today:Stay away from t...  Read More

Table Talk, 24 Hours with Jesus, pt 2Dear Church Family and Friends,  The evening meal finished, and all the plates and wine glasses have been cleared from the table. There is tension and excitement in the air, as the disciples know there is something different about this Passover Seder. The 12 are down one, as Judas has already grabbed his loaf of bread and headed out into the night. It was a dar...  Read More