Gathering Disciples Dear Church Family and Friends,Those who work in search and rescue are very particular about who is a part of their team. In the next situation their lives may literally be in the hands of one of those teammates. Jesus was prayerful and purposeful about who he brought into close connection.  The keys of the kingdom of God would be in their hands once their training was complete...  Read More

Overcoming Evil Dear Church Family and Friends,It would be absurd to rescue people from life threatening situations and not address the root problems and behaviors that got them there. Can you imagine ignoring someone's personal issues that repeatedly crash their lives and relationships? Yet we are living in a culture that ignores personal responsibility for actions and consequences.  The invitati...  Read More

Keep Climbing   Dear Church Family and Friends,Years ago, I heard a sermon that stuck with me called “Climbers, Campers, and Quitters”. After years of climbing, study, and experience, I’ve come to believe that there are no campers; there are only those who like to camp. My experience has taught me that when I stop climbing and try to camp, I slide down. When I stop climbing, I always digress.Jesus...  Read More

Birth of the Savior   Dear Church Family and Friends,I recently talked with a godly woman about one of the most threatening circumstances she had ever experienced when she was a young adult. It resulted in an inner decision not to trust that anyone would look out for her and protect her. It led her to attempt to control everything she could in life, and the fallout was not good. Upon further refle...  Read More

Miraculously Conceived  Dear Church Family and Friends,It is so exciting when a plan comes together. I'm sure that those who were involved in the NASA program from its inception marveled when all the research and planning and hard work led to a landing on the moon and a safe return for the crew. So many variables have to align to make something like that possible.  God's plan for our restoration b...  Read More

Fulfillment Begins Dear Church Family and Friends,We all anticipate the fulfillment of promises. From childhood we looked forward to our parents following through on something exciting they said would happen. When we were in school we looked forward to the special field trip or event that had been promised. When the day actually came it was hard to contain the excitement!  The story of Jesus is a ...  Read More

HIKER'S GUIDE--MULTIPLICATIONDear Church Family and Friends,When we look closely at life we see God's value of multiplication. Cells in a healthy, growing human body multiply. Seeds that are planted in the ground produce a plant that eventually yields many seeds, multiplying the harvest. Smart investments multiply and grow over time.Another point of interest in God's Kingdom is multiplication. God...  Read More

We live in a culture that is obsessed with itself. We are trained to focus on our next personal experience and the next desire we can attempt to satisfy...  Read More

HIKER'S GUIDE--SERVICEDear Church Family and Friends,Getting outside ourselves to truly be helpful to others can be hard. However, we will begin to experience some of the most rewarding things in life by serving others for their ultimate good from God's perspective. When we are committed to bringing eternal value into our relationships with others, something uniquely fulfilling and transforming al...  Read More

HIKER'S GUIDE--GROWTHDear Church Family and Friends,In all God's creation we see living things growing. Plants and creatures are designed by God to grow. The intention is that they will mature and bear fruit or reproduce. In the Kingdom of God, we are designed to grow spiritually, to mature and produce good fruit.  God did not intend for us to stay infants in our faith and children in the maturity...  Read More

HIKER'S GUIDE--CONNECTIONDear Church Family and Friends,Hiking and climbing adventures, especially in unfamiliar territory, are best not to do alone. The story of Aron Ralston and Geraldine Largay come to mind. It is always better and wiser to take the journey with trusted others.  Every person who has turned and trusted in Jesus Christ is a part of the family of God.  God has created us for conne...  Read More

We were created to worship. We see it in our culture being expressed in misguided, wrongly focused and perverted ways. But people will worship and serve something...  Read More