E-News Article
Pondering the Future
Have you ever wondered how the world will end? Will it end with a BANG or a whimper? Will we go up in flames in a world war or will a deadly virus slowly take us out one by one? Or perhaps you won’t be around when the world ends. Perhaps you will pass before it happens. Or Jesus may return before the world ends and takes us to be with Him. Don’t know. I don’t think anyone knows. The reason How COVID has affected us
The Catholic Pope
There is a new Pope of the Catholic Church. After the death of Pope Francis, a Conclave (or closed-door) was held to elect a new Pope. This practice was established in 1274 by a Pope who saw his election take 3 years and decided changes should be made. When a Pope is elected by 2/3rd’s majority of the Cardinals chosen by the previous Popes, he is asked whether he accepts the position. If he answers in the affirmative, he goes off to a quiet How COVID has affected us
Worship
Hey there, fellow worshippers! As we go head-first through another busy week, I’ve been thinking a lot about what it truly means to worship. We gather on Sundays, lift our voices, and offer our prayers – and that’s beautiful! But what if worship wasn’t just something we do on Sunday mornings? What if it was a way we live every single day? The Bible tells us in Romans 12:1, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, How COVID has affected us
The Road to Damascus
My little sister is through hiking the Appalachian Trail! I’m happy to have had the chance to sneak in a couple of days with her. We met her in Damascus, VA. Damascus, VA is a popular trail town on the Appalachian Trail. Each time I was planning the trip, I would type in Damascus and think of the story of Paul. Paul, formerly known as Saul, was a persecutor of Christians. He was NOT a good guy. He had a How COVID has affected us
Resurrection and the Life
This weekend, we celebrate the most important holiday in the history of Christendom. Easter. Or as some prefer to call it, Resurrection Sunday. This is the day we recognize that Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, rose from the borrowed tomb, conquering death, thwarting Satan’s plan, and ushering in a New Covenant and way to come to God. Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father except through me.” Even more directly, How COVID has affected us
Stoke the Flame
Do you remember when you felt God first working on your heart, convicting and letting you know how much He loves you? Maybe it was at church camp, VBS, CIY, De Colores, an Emmaeus walk, a random Sunday morning, or a walk you took in the woods. And you responded by surrendering your life to Him and becoming a Christian. The first days and weeks of our new faith walk are exciting. We are on fire! Which is ironic because How COVID has affected us
The Heart of Worship
1 Samuel 16:7b: “…The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” Sometimes, I think we can get caught up in the how of worship – the songs, the prayers, the rituals. But what really matters, at the heart of it, is the why. You know, the Bible talks about worshiping in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). That’s not just about feeling emotional or getting How COVID has affected us
Beatitudes – Source of Blessings and Comfort
Often when I am feeling discouraged about life, I remember the Sermon on the Mount. There, Jesus talked to the people about blessings. Not blessings for the most noble, noticed, or honored among people. But heavenly blessings for the meek, humble, sad, merciful, righteous, and persecuted. These are blessings that are promised to us. I pray that they give you the same comfort that they give me.
Stepping Into The Light
It’s been a long winter, and I think I speak for most of you when I say WE ARE SICK OF IT! We are ready for it to leave for good. Unfortunately we all know it will be back again next year. Stay with me before you step into a dark and dismal depression; next winter may not be as bad, but It will be back nonetheless. Just like winter, we will experience various highs and lows along our spiritual walk How COVID has affected us
From Ink to iPhone: How Bible Study Evolved from Margins to Screens
Growing up, I remember my Youth Minister encouraging me to take notes on the sermon when I went to church. I would take my NIV Bible on Sunday mornings and underline significant passages in it and jot down points on my notepad with a pen. It was quite a paradigm shift to write in my Bible, but I was assured it was okay. Fast forward a few decades, and today I use a Bible app on my Apple iPhone X (Bible app How COVID has affected us