To our guests, these are two phrases that we all want to say to you. Thank you for visiting with us. You’re welcome here....Keep Reading

When my dad, a country preacher, took a church in the city, he was in the habit of helping needy people. They began knocking on our door almost every day. He gave them clothes, food and money. Their stories of need were convincing. Often, they would eat at our table and listen to our devotions. They even put an X on the sidewalk to let other “men of the road” know where to get a handout. My dad was such a “soft touch” that we often were pretty tight financially....Keep Reading

“As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you” (Isaiah 66:13) In these comforting words we see a very tender and compassionate image of our God. We’re used to thinking of God in the masculine sense. When teaching His disciples how to pray, Jesus told them to address God as “Our Father.” Yet here, God reveals that His nature is not limited to a small stereotypical viewpoint. God is much more profound than that. “God is spirit” (John 4:24), and likens Himself to many fatherly and motherly characteristics....Keep Reading

Awana students are being encouraged to learn scripture for many good reasons. Remembering God’s word strengthens our faith, shapes the way we view the world, helps us overcome temptation, and helps us detect wrongful thinking in the world, and opens a direct line of communication from God to us. Here are some interesting facts about the how the brain works, and how we can apply them to how we learn scripture....Keep Reading

In Luke 8:26-39 we have an account of the confrontation between Jesus and a man with a “legion” of demons. Demons are angels who followed the Devil when he sinned against God. These are spirit beings who act in the world by inhabiting the bodies of humans and animals to work against God....Keep Reading

“Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.” (1 Timothy 4:1-3) ...Keep Reading

Change, the unknown, sickness, regret, hardships, disasters, and the future all can bring about fear. What are the storms in your life today?...Keep Reading

In a 2016 “Ask Pastor John” podcast episode with Desiring God Ministries, Dr. Matthew S. Harmon, professor of New Testament Studies at Grace College & Theological Seminary, made the astounding claim that the resurrection of Jesus Christ changes everything. He supported that claim with 10 statements, with further comments to support those statements, and with scripture references. This pastor’s pen will share the ten statements, Dr. Harmon’s further comments supporting the first statement and all the scripture references so you can do some further digging on your own....Keep Reading

I love the Rocky Mountains. I love rocks. Our home in Pennsylvania was in Boulder Valley. Stones the size of cars provided the backdrop for the flower gardens my wife planted and tended. I grew up for a time in Maryland where a large long rock was a fort, a pirate ship or anything we imagined it to be. In Luke 19:40 Jesus said that “if these should keep silent, the stones would imme-diately cry out.” On that first Palm Sunday the children were praising the Lord and He loved it. In Habbakuk 2:11 it says that “the stone will cry out from the wall”. We say, “if these walls could talk”. Do stones talk? What do they say?...Keep Reading

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. ...Keep Reading