“The observation of Christmas having been deemed a sacrilege, the exchanging of gifts, and greetings, dressing in fine clothing, feasting and similar satanical practices are hereby forbidden, with the offender liable to a fine.” Some cultural war post canceling Christmas? No, it was an announcement by the Massachusetts Bay Colony, 1659. The observance of Christmas […]
With the Christmas season upon us we often hear the phrase “peace on earth.” However, this statement made by the angels refers not to worldwide disarmament but to the blessing of being secure in God, literally “peace on earth to men on whom his favor rests.” I saw a bumper sticker with a cross that read “War is Not […]
I love the story of the family who had invited the pastor and his wife over for dinner one Saturday evening. Trying to show off, the woman of the house asked her 6 year old son to pray for the meal. A tad shy he said he didn’t know what to say. Mom said, “Just […]
I often say, “Sunday is the best day of the week” and I mean it. Sure I understand that every day is lived for Christ – one man considers one day more sacred than another; and another man considers everyday alike, Rom 15:5. Sunday is the best for me because it’s on this day we come together for corporate […]
Canadian pastor and blogger Tim Challies wrote considering his 19-year-old son’s sudden death, “By faith I will praise God in the taking as I did in the giving and by faith receive from his hand this sorrow as I have so many joys. I will grieve but not grumble, mourn but not murmur, weep but […]
Next Sunday we will spend the SS/ABF hour discussing some important matters regarding our church. Paul Krepps will review our current Strategic Plan – did we achieve our objectives? Doug Troxell will discuss a constitutional change the elders and deacons are recommending. Currently, to do business we need 50% of members present. With shut-ins and a […]
People were created and Christians were redeemed to worship. What is worship? The psalmist defined it as giving unto the Lord the glory due his name, Ps 29:1-2. Corporate worship, when the church comes together, is understood differently in many congregations today. Unfortunately, many American Christians have a consumer mindset. People attend church to find […]
On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed a piece of paper on the castle door in Wittenberg, Germany containing 95 criticisms against the Roman Catholic Church. The castle door was a modern day equivalent to posting something on Facebook. What unfolded changed the world. In 1521, Luther was called before a tribunal and commanded to […]
Ps 94:14, “For the Lord will not reject his people; he will never forsake his inheritance.” People are asking, “Is what is happening in Isael today fulfillment to biblical prophecy?” I don’t believe so. We must always be careful reading current events into the Bible. As believers we grieve over the horrific events of October 7. Israel has every […]
One of the greatest things we’ve done here as far as impacting our community has been Trunk-n-Treat. The 100s of people who have walked thru our parking lot has been amazing. And the last time 1000 folks walked in our church due to a freak snowstorm Halloween night! Over and over again I would heard […]