Thankfulness is a key indicator of true, eternal usefulness. But the Bible never tells us anywhere to contrive thankfulness, as if thankfulness itself is power and a sign of nobility. Many scientific studies have found therapeutic benefits to thankfulness, but God wants more for us than just a noble character and a healthy body. To be noble and healthy are good goals, but ...
Keep ReadingThe Rescue Mission is out of winter coats - they gave away their last one this morning. If you’re interested in helping, please take a coat directly to the mission, or drop it by the church office. ...
Keep ReadingSmall steps of faith are the long pry bar that moves mountains of change....
Keep ReadingHow do we respond to the recent election cycle? What actions would make our response wise and profitable? I suggest thinking about two crucial issues: culture, and distraction. The collective mind (culture) of our country shifted swiftly in recent years, and the Supreme Court ratified the culture change. As Chief Justice Roberts said at the time of the "gay marriage" ruli...
Keep ReadingIt used to be that four tenets ruled most Christians' church life: 1. Act like you've got it together. 2. Isolate yourself. 3. Ministry is programs. 4. Bible reading is for me alone. This kind of church approach resulted in the entrance of many programs - a weekly newsletter chocked full of calendar events. But a plethora of programs pushed out the work of one-to-one,...
Keep ReadingChildren's Ministry has collected many items over the last 5 months. Our goal is to pack 50 boxes. We have all the supplies to pack a shoebox, the only thing you need to bring is a donation to cover the shipping cost for each box you pack. (Samaritans Purse suggested donation is $7 per box) You can put a check/cash inside the box. Or donate online print a tracking label ...
Keep ReadingI was asked last night, "Who are you voting for?" Good question. Here are some other questions I'm asking myself, and for you to consider, as Election Day nears: First, if everyone's vote was made public, how would that change our fellowship within our church? Evangelicals are divided on Hillary and Donald. Would our lack of agreement impede our love of one another, becau...
Keep ReadingWe want happiness; we are ever in search of it; a current book written by a Briton describes how we Americans can't find it. Perhaps we are more prone to search harder for happiness; its pursuit is built-in to our founding document and character. Or turn on PBS and you'll hear about "mindful awareness", an eastern practice that's the en vogue way to happiness. Even the mun...
Keep ReadingResurrection Bible Church is located in Ivano-Frankivsk in western Ukraine and is comprised of 45-50 attendees and about 20 children in Sunday school. They have a fierce desire to see more Ukrainians hear the good news of Christ and worship the one true God. Pastor Oleg Kalin is a longtime friend of Pastor Jed's, they met in 2007 through a mutual mentor. In Ukraine, a coun...
Keep ReadingWilliam Cowper's (pronounced "Cooper") life rings with lessons for us, about depression, and about moving towards others in love, even when we know not what we should say or do. Cowper lived in the 1700's, was a friend of John Newton (Newton was his pastor for a time), and wrote poems and hymns that are still valued today. Martin Luther King often quoted Cowper's abolition...
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