We are officially in the Lenten Season! Lent began last week (March 5) with Ash Wednesday. Lent is a season whose intention is to give us space and time to prepare our hearts for the celebration of Easter. It is an opportunity for us to reflect on the reasons Jesus had to come and to be thankful for the gift of salvation. Lent is often marked by Christians choosing to fast from something for 40 da...  Read More

In the beginning of September, we talked about our mission statement and why we do what we do. In this blog, I just want to add to that. You often hear me say when I describe the gospel that it is “the best news on the planet." I believe that is true with all my heart! I also believe that the church is the best organization on the planet. And, at times, it is also the most screwed up, misguided, a...  Read More

The Bible uses the analogy of the potter and the clay in a number of places (Isaiah 64:8: Romans 9:21; Jeremiah 18 as examples). In each case the Lord is depicted as the Potter and we are the clay. He makes that very clear in each instance… Reminding us that he is the Creator and we are the creation.Here’s how one example from Isaiah 45 reads:“Woe to him who strives with him who formed him, a pot ...  Read More

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Jesus said these words to his disciples in John 16. James, Peter, and Paul all affirmed that we will have trouble in this world. We will face trials in our lives. This is an unavoidable reality of living in a fallen world. And we are left asking the ques...  Read More

Our reading this week continues to take us through the book of Psalms. Reading through Psalm 116, I came across this curious reminder in verse 15:“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants."This verse I have often quoted at funeral services. It’s a reminder that what is unbelievably painful on this side… Losing a loved one… Is precious on the other side, when God welc...  Read More

Happy Fifth of July everyone! I may be writing a day late for the festivities and fireworks, but there are leftover hotdogs in my refrigerator, so as far as I am concerned, we are still in holiday mode! Yesterday, like most of you I’m sure, my family got together for Independence Day. We began at Galloway’s 4th of July parade and then filed back to our house down the street for hot dogs, potato ch...  Read More