Dear Brothers & Sisters, Our Lord taught us "Look at the birds of the air" (Matthew 6:26) Some birds fly south, they let us know the cold dark season of winter is upon us. Their Creator has built within them a calendar for the times and seasons, so that they may migrate to warmer climates. But others stay in the cold and wake the dawn with their songs. Consider the little black-capped chickadee, the american tree sparrow, or the downy woodpecker. If such little creatures can

Dear Brothers & Sisters, Theology and Doxology are not opposites but twins. The study of God (theology) and the worship of God (doxology) should not be separated. David prayed to God " I will praise you with an upright heart, when I learn your righteous rules ."(Psalm 119:7)  The knowledge of God's ways was His call to worship God. For this reason, I encourage you to study the Word in this and every season, to meditate on the person of Christ and His work and respond in praye

Dear Brothers & Sisters, We grow accustomed to things, even marvelous things. There is nothing quite like seeing the wide-eyed wonder in the eyes of a child who has for the first time seen the bursts of color and sound that we call "fireworks," yet for many grown-ups that same wonder is "just another fireworks show". This is only one illustration of many but the observation certainly carries over into the Advent Season. Advent is the season when Christians around the world ce

Dear brothers and sisters, People have been running smear campaigns East of Eden ever since the serpent lied about God. All around us people lie to destroy the reputations of others. This is what the Bible calls false witness, a false testimony about someone else. Tall tales sold as the truth at the expense of real people.  Do you know why witnesses in the court of law swear to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth? There is no justice without truth. The consequences

Dear Brothers & Sisters, The Lord hates  " feet swift to run to evil "  (Proverbs 6:18 ESV, see also Isaiah 59:7) This phrase is a reminder that sin affects every part of us. A heart that plans evil (see the first part of Proverbs 6:18) will soon put feet to the ground and run.    Feet were made for running, they were meant to take us places. The question is, what direction are our feet taking us?   Are we headed towards evil or towards good?  Where are you going? The Feet Go

Dear Brothers & Sisters, How many of us plan evil even if we never 'do it'? I certainly have, many many times. But God knows the thoughts and plans of our hearts. Our secret plans are not hidden from him.  " Would not God discover this? For He knows the secrets of the heart " (Psalms 44:21) " You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in...  your presence " (Psalm 90:8) " I the LORD search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, acco

Dear brothers & sisters, Our Lord hates hands that shed innocent blood (Proverbs 6:17). This shouldn't be controversial. Murder is wrong. The LORD told Noah “ Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image ." (Genesis 9:6) The severity of the punishment reveals the seriousness of the crime. In the cause of justice, there is a time for governing authorities to take the life of one who has unlawfully taken the lives of others.

Dear Brothers and Sisters, Listen to the song of David. Psalm 61:1-8 (ESV) [1] Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; [2] from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I, [3] for you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy. [4] Let me dwell in your tent forever! Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings! Selah [5] For you, O God, have heard my vows; you have given me the heritage of those who f

Dear brothers and sisters, The words that opened this can of worms called 'life in a fallen world'. " Did God really say?" (Genesis 3:1) Then came the kicker,  " You will not surely die" (Genesis 3:4). Who was right? God (see Genesis 2:17) or the Devil? You know the truth. We're a dead and dying race, whether you want to admit it or not.  A lie is why we're in the mess we're in, so let's not pretend that lying will get us out of the messes we make for ourselves. From infancy

Dear brothers and sisters, Proverbs 6:16 " There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are an abomination to him: Haughty eyes... " First of all sins, God hates haughty eyes. Haughty eyes are a sure sign of the proud.  One who looks down upon others from their self-made throne. You all know the man. He walks with a swagger, the average joe isn't worth his time and attention. He's the real thing, "what this world needs," or so he thinks in his heart. The Bible on Prid

Dear Brothers & Sisters, Don't play around with sin. Remember when Abraham didn't believe the word of God and decided to 'help' God along...

Dear Brothers & Sisters, A young girl stabbed in public and left to die alone. A young man, who spent his life promoting...

Dear Brothers & Sisters, God hears the cries of the hurting. The story of God's kindness to  Hagar (Genesis 16) is one of many reminders...

Dear brothers & sisters, The people of God confess a glorious mystery revealed: the mystery of godliness.  What is the source of a godly...

Dear Brothers & Sisters, The Book of Job is one of the most unique books within God's Holy Scriptures. A window into heaven, a glimpse...

Dear Brothers & Sisters, The wonders of God's world teach us many things, some hidden and some revealed. The universe itself bears...

Dear brothers & sisters, Asaph, the psalm writer, reflects on the prosperity of the wicked in Psalm 73. The turning point in the psalm...

Dear Brothers & Sisters, We had a wonderful time visiting family and connecting with one of our supporting churches over the last two...

Dear brothers and sisters, 40 days after Jesus rose from the dead, he ascended to heaven. Christians have remembered this event on the...

Dear brothers & sisters, What is the underlying reality that brings the people of God to joyful song?  The psalmist declares to us, in...