Good morning, church family!

Growing up in my home, Labor Day usually marked the end of summer. School started a week or so afterward, so it was the last time you could enjoy the summer experience. Whether it meant going camping, visiting the happiest place on earth, firing up the barbecue grill one more time, or saying goodbye to relatives until the holiday season, Labor Day marked the end of one season and the beginning of another. But there’s more to Labor Day than recognizing the change of seasons.

Celebrated on the first Monday of September, Labor Day has its roots in the labor movement of the late 19th century. This was a time when workers across the United States fought for fair wages, reasonable hours, and safer working conditions. It was a period marked by labor strikes and demonstrations as workers sought to bring attention to the harsh realities of industrial labor.

The first Labor Day was celebrated on September 5, 1882, in New York City, organized by the Central Labor Union. Over the years, the holiday spread across the country, and in 1894, Congress declared it a national holiday in response to the Pullman Strike, a significant labor conflict that had escalated into nationwide unrest. Labor Day became a time not only to honor the contributions of American workers but also to recognize the importance of fair labor practices.

But Labor Day is also more than just a historical commemoration. It represents a reminder that we are called to serve others through our work. Whether you’re a teacher, a doctor, a retail employee, construction worker, stay-at-home parent, or engineer, your work provides a unique opportunity to serve others. In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus encouraged the crowds to let their “light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). If our light is to shine the light of Christ, then we must practice good work so that others will see it.

Serving others with our work extends beyond our payroll check. It also means serving others in need with our “charitable” good work. Who are these others? Jesus called them neighbors (Luke 10:29-37). They are members of our community, and we are called to serve them. Jesus used the example of one considered an outsider who came to the service of one in need. This Samaritan, who would typically be rejected by society, did something that was unthinkable in his time. How fitting this example is for Christians today, since we are often depicted as the Samaritans in present day society. But we are called and equipped by the Holy Spirit to share God’s love. When we serve in the world and in Christ’s Church, we impact those around us and reveal God’s glory.

This spiritual discipline of serving our community is one of several rhythms taught and practiced by the New Testament Church. Christ has called us to live a lifestyle of service. Just as the Samaritan entered the life of the man attacked by robbers and left for dead, we are called to enter the lives of those in need around us and serve them. Serving isn’t always convenient; it often interrupts our lives. But when we serve, we are to do so without being slothful (Romans 12:11).

As we celebrate Labor Day, we can take comfort in knowing that cooler temperatures are coming (a good thing). We can reflect on the importance of fair labor practices (also good). But more importantly, Labor Day represents a chance for us to remember that we are called to serve. And our service to God and others makes our work worth it.

Blessings,
Pastor David

Choices! From what we eat to what we do to where we go, we face countless decisions. All I know is the choices we make will eventually make us. So choose wisely!

We live in a "choice" culture.

Everywhere you look there are choices to make and decisions to consider. Yesterday I was at a Walmart and took a turn down the cereal aisle. Now I remember a day when the options for morning breakfast were pretty simple: Lucky Charms or Coco Crisp or Quisp. I ate Quisp for my morning breakfast and nightly snack for years. I ate Quisp all day long. I snuck it to school and church. I sometimes ate 2-3 bowls. There was nothing better than Quisp. Now my older brother favored Quake. Maybe that's why he's taller and has hair. Come to think of it, I do look like the Quisp guy now. I guess it's true: you are what you eat.

But I digress.

As an adult, I've come to appreciate more mature cereals like Special K. But Special K isn't all that special anymore. According to Wikipedia there are now 15 types of Special K cereals: Original, Chocolatey Delight, Chocolatey Strawberry, Cinnamon Pecan, Red Berries, Vanilla Almond, Fruit & Yogurt, Brown Sugar Gluten Free, Oats & Honey, Touch of Honey Granola, Chocolate Almond, Cranberry Granola, Protein, Cinnamon Brown Sugar Crunch Protein, Blueberry Lemon, and Pumpkin Spice (Seasonal).

Now that's a lot of choices.

Or take television. When I was a kid back in the Stoned Age (a.k.a. late 1960s and 1970s), there were only three stations and two of them were weathered (we called them "snowy" because the rabbit ears couldn't pick up the signal well). Basically, you watched what was on and learned to be content, even if you couldn't hear or see very well.

And then cable television came along, and later satellite. Suddenly there were dozens, then hundreds, of channels. I never heard of HBO until around 1976 when one of my friends' parents had it added to their seven-station cable lineup. It was pretty cool to watch theater movies in your home. Today there are seven HBO channels, including distinct ones for "family" or "Latino" or "comedy" persuasions. We can now watch our favorite sports team exclusively, even if we live out of market. We have the Weather Channel uniquely designed to feed us our local temps and forecasts. We have news channels for every political view. CNN. MSNBC. FOX. Newsmax. We have home shopping and home improvement channels, travel and outdoor channels, history and biography channels. There's even a channel just to learn.

Since the advent of 19th century technology in cars, communications and cyberland, Americans have never had more choices.

And the more choices we face, the faster we shut down. It's why most Americans rarely venture beyond their preferences. We go to restaurants and order the same meal. We buy the same brands. We drive the same way to work or church. We play the same games and eat the same foods.

In a Ted Talk I listened to recently, Dan Gilbert made some interesting observations on "why we make bad decisions." He revealed how we tend to choose based upon what we gain and the value of that gain. This is a significant revelation for those who have ears to hear, especially for those who lead in churches, clubs and other fraternal organizations (all of which struggle to attract and retain members).

There's no doubt that church attendance, for example, is shrinking. Every major pollster (from Gallup to Pew to Barna) have noted the fact that Millennials—the most churched generation with the best resources, facilities and professional staff—are walking away from the church in droves. And it's not just churches. It’s the same with Rotary, Kiwanis and Soroptimist clubs. The Elks, Moose, Masons and other fraternal organizations report similar declines in membership.

Maybe Gilbert gives us the reason why. When it comes to joining these communal entities, the Millennial Generation is not seeing a gain nor a value of gain to participate. They are, consequently, choosing better options (in their minds and from their experience).

Church has become just another choice.

And we may not agree with it. We may detest it. We may even preach and teach against it. But that won't bring people back.

Joshua had the same problem back when Israel was a young nation. His people were also choosing to follow other gods. Joshua recognized the problem and drew a line in the desert sand: “Choose this day whom you will serve...but as for me and my house we will choose the Lord (Joshua 24:15)."

Throughout the Old Testament you hear the same call to "choose wisely" taught through prophets like Samuel, Jeremiah, Isaiah and Ezekiel. You hear it in the wisdom literature of Solomon's proverbs. You see it in the lives of Peter, James, John and the other disciples who chose to follow a Galilean guru who taught he was the way, truth and life (John 14:6).

Life is full of choices.

The best choices are the ones that create liberty and life, beauty and bounty, honor and happiness. It's when we choose to be kind, humble, righteous, joyful, good and patient that things turn to our favor.

We all choose our gods today. Some choose alcohol or drugs. Some choose pornography or greed. Some choose a life philosophy or a religious system. Some choose not to believe in anything at all.

As for me, I still choose Jesus. Jesus is enough. He's always been enough for me. It's why I still make "church" and my two Bible study groups a priority.

I have a feeling that most of you reading this today, feel the same. I also think you'd agree we need more "Jesus" in our world today. Well that can only happen if we choose to make it happen. So let's choose to live like Jesus today. Let's love without condition, serve without discrimination and give without restraint. Let's be the change we want to see. And it starts in our families, our churches, our schools, our workplaces...and eventually in our communities, country, culture and world.

Let's make the world a bit better TODAY. We don't have to do much as long as we all do something.

Blessings,

Good morning, church family!

As summer vacations wind down and school schedules begin again, many of us feel the familiar shift back into routines. Early alarms return. Calendars fill up. Practices, homework, meetings and responsibilities quickly take their place. While this season can feel busy, it also gives us a meaningful opportunity to ask an important question: not simply, “What routine am I returning to?” but “How will I make room for God within this routine?”

Throughout Scripture, we see that God often works through rhythms, not just remarkable moments. In creation, there was evening and there was morning. Day by day, God brought order, beauty and purpose. Jesus also lived with holy rhythms. Mark 1:35 tells us, “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” Even in the demands of ministry, Jesus regularly withdrew to be with His Father.

We often look for mountaintop spiritual experiences, but much of our growth happens through faithful routines: daily prayer, regular worship, consistent service, time in God’s Word and intentional moments with family. These habits do not earn God’s love. They help us stay connected to the grace, strength and wisdom He freely gives. There is a difference between a rut and a rhythm. A rut keeps us stuck and distant from God. A holy rhythm keeps us moving toward growth, love, self-control and deeper faith. As schedules get full, let us not allow busyness to crowd out our relationship with Jesus.

This fall, let us commit again to gathering faithfully with the church, encouraging one another, worshiping together and personally seeking the Lord each day. “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest” (Galatians 6:9). May this new season become a fresh invitation to walk closely with Christ.

Blessings,
Pastor David

Good morning, church family!

I was doing some research and asked ChatGPT, “When would someone need an advocate?” The answer was simple. It said that when a person’s own strength, clarity and ability isn’t enough. It went on to say that someone needs an advocate when they can’t speak for themselves, defend, guide or comfort themselves. Immediately I started thinking of times in my life when I felt each of those things. Some of the darkest times of my life came to mind. Then I started thinking of others who have been walking through some tough times. It turns out we all need an advocate when we come to the end of our own abilities.

A few hours before Jesus would be arrested and crucified, He was trying to prepare the disciples for the chaos that was about to ensue. Their world was about to be shattered and they wouldn’t understand what was happening. In John 14:6, Jesus told them, “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), to be with you forever” (AMP). As they were about to go through the darkest time of their life, He sent them the Holy Spirit to comfort, advocate and intercede for them. They would receive counsel and strength from the Holy Spirit, as well as strength to endure the hardships they were going to face. Jesus didn’t leave them or us alone to face this world. Instead, He sent us the advocate we all need.

Jesus continued in verse 27, “Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.]”

If you’re going through something today where you don’t have the strength to fight your own battle, you’re scared of an unknown future or your ability isn’t enough for the moment, take heart. You have an Advocate who will counsel, strengthen, comfort and intercede for you. He will also give you peace to calm you in the storm and walk with you through the toughest challenges. The Holy Spirit isn’t a reward for those who have it all together. He was sent as God’s Provision for those who don’t. Reach out in prayer and ask Him to advocate for you today.

Blessings,
Pastor David

Good morning, church family!

This is so hard to admit. I have refused to acknowledge it for some time. But when it becomes more obvious, denial becomes harder! While I admit this is happening to me, I find joy and comfort in knowing this will never be true of our God.

I admit my hearing isn’t as sharp as it was. I find myself asking people to repeat things more than ever. This is especially true for Angela. Most times she calmly repeats what she said. Other times it is repeated after a sigh or an eye roll. I’m sure it is because I don’t hear as well and not because I wasn’t paying attention!

King David started his prayer, “To you I call, O Lord my Rock; do not turn a deaf ear to me” (Ps. 28:1a). Like each of us, the Psalmist struggled through times when heaven seemed to pay no attention. Let’s be honest, those are awful times. Spurgeon wrote as believers, we “dread even a little of God’s silence.” It shakes us to the core, and we are left to make sense of what we interpret as a silent rejection.

David then voiced his fear: “For if you remain silent, I will be like those who have gone down to the pit” (v. 1b). David knew if God was indeed silent, if the doors of heaven were shut, he would be no better off than one whose life had already ended. Gratefully, this state of hopelessness was not the conclusion of David’s prayer.

“Hear my prayer for mercy, as I call to you for help, as I lift up my hands toward your Most Holy Place” (v. 2). David didn’t respond to what he thought was heaven’s silence with silence of his own. Instead of giving up on prayer, David doubled down. He prayed and called out for mercy. He adopted a Hebrew posture of worship, surrender and receptivity as noted in the lifting of his hands toward God.

“When God seems to close his ears, we must not therefore close our mouths but rather cry with even more earnestness” (Spurgeon). It would be easy to respond with silence of our own, to give up and walk away from God. That is when discipline is demanded of us. That is why we continue crying out to God, not giving up (cf. Luke 18:1).

And the breakthrough did come. “Praise be to the Lord, for he has heard my cry for mercy. The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped” (vv. 6-7). Even in the midst of his questions, David knew God had heard him. He knew God as the source of his strength and his protector. He knew where to posit his trust – in the God who will never become hard of hearing!

It is true – I don’t hear as well as I once did. It is also true – God hears as well as he ever did! Delayed answers don’t mean God has become deaf. It means we have to keep trusting and praying, with no concern for sighs and eye rolls. Hallelujah!

Blessings,
Pastor David

Good morning, church family!

I was outside early in the morning a few days ago when my breath got taken away. All I could say was, “Thank you, God!”

It was an overcast morning. I was watering our flowers around the outside of the house when the cloud cover began to break, and things began to lighten up. I looked up and saw one of the most beautiful sunrises I have ever seen. The rays of light seemed to stretch on forever as the sun peaked over the clouds. It was stunning! Immediately, my mind was filled with these lyrics, “He’s coming on the clouds, kings and kingdoms will bow down” (click to listen to "The Lion and the Lamb" by Big Daddy Weave).

When I got to work a few minutes later, I went to my office and read again these words:“Then one of the elders said to me, ‘Do not weep. See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals’” (Rev. 5:5). While in exile on the island of Patmos, God entrusted the apostle John with this incredible revelation, telling him to “write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true” (Rev. 21:5).

Interpretations of the book of Revelation abound. But this much is certain: it paints a powerful portrait of Jesus from beginning to end. But no picture is as stunning, nor as dichotomous as the one painted Revelation 5.

John was in tears because no one was found worthy to open the scroll (Rev. 5:1-4). He was devastated no one could reveal the contents of the scroll to him, or to the world through him. Then one of elders stepped forward to assure John there was One who was able to reveal the mystery of the ages – the Lion of the tribe of Judah. John turned, expecting to see this Lion, wrapped in awesome power and great glory.

But instead, John’s eyes fixed on “a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne . . . (v. 6a). Instead of seeing the most powerful of creatures – a Lion, John saw the meekest of creatures – a Lamb. But this was not just any Lamb. This One was surrounded by elders and living creatures – revealing the centrality, power and authority of Jesus. He took the scroll and all of heaven broke into a chorus of worship!

Judah’s lion, prophesied by Jacob (cf. Gen. 49:8-10) as the One who would hold the scepter forever, is also Israel’s sacrificial Lamb, said by John the baptizer to be the One who will take away the sin of the world (John 1:29). Who but our God could have imagined a plan of salvation where Judah’s Lion would also be the Passover Lamb slain and risen again?

The book of Revelation contains four breathtaking scenes of worship (4:6ff; 5:6ff; 11:16-18; 19:1-9). Grab your Bible and a cup of coffee and join John as he looks at Jesus, the Lion and the Lamb who will reign forever. Use your imagination and let the scenes take your breath away. Hallelujah!

Blessings,
Pastor David

Good morning, church family!

Recently I was talking with a church member about ways to help someone who is really going through difficulty. One of the suggestions they had was for the person to help someone else who is going through something worse than they are. That helps give perspective on their situation and gets the focus off of you and onto others. One of my suggestions was to have them try to recount all the prayers God has answered in their life. That helps them to shift focus from their problem to God who is able to take care of the situation. It also reminds them that they’ve been in tight spots before and God showed up. Sometimes in the middle of our problems we forget that God hasn’t abandoned us before and He’s not going to today.

I love Psalm 77 because it’s an honest prayer by Asaph when Jerusalem was under siege. Things were bad with no escape in sight. The report was that no one would survive. He has sleepless nights, fears of what ifs and questions of God’s goodness. He wrote, “Has the Lord rejected me forever? Will he never again be kind to me? Is his unfailing love gone forever? Have his promises permanently failed?” (NLT) These are all real questions we face when going through a hard time. This man led worship in the Temple and was chosen by King David, yet he struggled with questions doubting God’s goodness in the middle of a hard time. However, his psalm doesn’t end there.

In verses 11-12 he changed his perspective. He wrote, “I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds.” By doing this, he switched his momentary perspective of God to an eternal one. In the moment, sometimes it doesn’t feel like God is good, but when we look back across a lifetime and history of creation, we can clearly see the track record of His goodness. He also decided to meditate on the things God has done in the past rather than his problems of the present. In doing so, Asaph remembered, “Your road led through the sea, your pathway through the mighty waters— a pathway no one knew was there!” (v. 19) God’s deliverance comes when no one sees a way out and it’s often a path that is unseen in the moment. We must keep trusting God, remember all He’s done and be prepared for Him to make a way where there seems to be no way.
Blessings,
Pastor David

If you could plot your spiritual journey on a graph, what would the pattern look like?

A graph of our life would include some ups and downs, incredible mountaintop experiences and some deep valleys in between. The valleys represent the seasons when we feel far from God. They may be times of testing, seasons when His voice seems silent, or valleys of our own making because we have drifted from Him.

For some of us, our spiritual progress resembles a heart monitor graph—the image on the left above. There are moments of excitement and commitment that spike upward, but we quickly settle back down to the same baseline.

The troubling part is that the highs never seem to get higher, and the valleys feel just as low as they have always been before.

But what if our spiritual growth looked more like the stock chart of a company steadily trending upward? It still has valleys. There are difficult seasons and setbacks. Yet each valley does not take us as low as the one before, and every new peak rises higher than the last.

Psalm 84:7 says:
“They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion.”

This is the promise for those who seek God. It does not mean we will never face trials or experience seasons when God feels distant. It means that those who pursue Him move from strength to strength. Each new mountaintop builds upon the previous one. God continues to deepen and stretch us.

Take the First Step
You may be reading this and thinking, If I could just reach the first mountaintop, maybe that could happen. But I don't even know where to begin.

That is why I love the story of Gideon. When God called him to deliver Israel, Gideon was hiding in fear. He told God that he came from the weakest family in the weakest clan. In essence he was saying, I don't even know where to start.

God replied in Judges 6:14:
“Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?”

In other words, take the first step of faith.

You do not have to have everything figured out. You may not know where the resources will come from. You may wonder who will fight with you. You may even feel as though your spiritual fuel tank is nearly empty.

We find that dilemma in the story of the feeding of the 5,000. The people were hungry and needed to eat. Jesus tells the disciples, “You give them something to eat.” All they had was a boy’s lunch. Once it was surrendered to Christ and prayed over, the leftovers were vastly more than what the boy had to offer.

God simply says to take the first step with what you already possess.

Commit Your Next Steps to God
If God is calling you to take that first step toward your new mountaintop, He will provide what you need for the next step. As we keep moving forward, we discover strength like we have never known.

Second Chronicles 16:9 says:
“The eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.”

God is looking for people who seek Him and His will. When he finds them, he gives them more strength to fulfill His purpose in their life.

It is almost like God carries them on eagles’ wings. His strength powers them through the valleys and leads us to higher ground.

So let us seek Him with all of our being and trust Him to lead us from strength to strength.

Blessings,

Good morning, church family!

A group of us, after spending time in the Psalms at a men’s retreat, decided to “pray the Psalms.” This is an ancient practice where you read a psalm several times. Then you read it out loud, replacing the Psalmist’s personal or generic reference with your own name to make it your prayer. Psalm 1:1 would read for me, “Blessed is David who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked . . .” You get the idea.

We committed to praying though the entire Psalter. We posted almost daily for motivation, accountability, and sharing personal insights. When we got to Psalm 109, our Facebook page blew up! The most common questions were, “Can we pray things like this? Is this Christian? What do I do with this?” This might be a good time for you to stop and read Psalm 109 in its entirety. I’ll wait . . .

Psalm 109 is an imprecatory psalm, where the author vividly, even angrily calls down curses on his enemies. David dialed up catchy phrases like “may his children be fatherless and his wife a widow” (v. 9), and “may his children become wandering beggars, driven from their ruined homes” (v. 10). And my personal favorite, “may the iniquity of his fathers be remembered before the Lord; may the sin of his mother never be blotted out” (v. 14). Nice.

What do we do with Scriptures like this? Well, we should rejoice! Rejoice in the freedom of being this honest before God. David clearly pulled no punches in this psalm, which by the way, he wanted put to music! If the man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22) could be this gut-level honest with God, why do we think we need to sugar coat our words?

I think David knew in his heart God would not grant these angered petitions. I also think David knew if he didn’t release his anger somewhere, it would consume him. So, he took his rage to the safest One he knew – the God who loved and called him by name (cf. Isa. 43:1). Once his heart was emptied of its venom, he could present to God his most urgently needed petition.

“But you, Sovereign Lord, help me for your name’s sake; out of the goodness of your love, deliver me” (Psalm 109:21). David asked for help, not because of who he was but because of who God is. David sought deliverance, not because he was good but because God is. David could then admit his condition: “I am poor and needy, and my heart is wounded within me” (v. 22). From an emptied and broken heart, David invited God to transform his life.

I am convinced David could not have prayed vv. 21-22, without praying the venom of the first twenty verses. Back to the questions. “Can we pray things like this?” Yes, and the ability to do so is a gift from God. “Is this Christian?” It can be, as we lay the ugliness of our heart bare before God. “What do we do with this?” Mimic it, releasing our anger before asking God for cleansing.

Go to the Psalms not to shape your theology but to expand your prayer life, as it will! Pretty sure I still don’t want my ugliest thoughts put to music but I have had this tune stuck in my head!

Blessings,
Pastor David

Good morning, church family!

I heard the story of two lumberjacks who decided to have a competition of who could cut down the most trees in a day. One went one way and the other a different way. After about an hour the first lumberjack noticed the other had quit chopping. He worked even harder and thought the second one was taking a break. About every hour the second one would stop chopping for about ten minutes throughout the day. At the end of the day the first one was excited to show off how much he had done. When they went to look at the second one’s trees, he had cut nearly double. The first one exclaimed, “How? You took a break every hour!” The second one replied, “I wasn’t taking a break each hour. I was sharpening my axe.”

Paul was Timothy’s mentor in the faith and ministry. We get some insight into that relationship in the two books written to encourage Timothy. Paul was teaching him how to sharpen his axe as a believer. In 2 Timothy 2:15 Paul encourages him to study the Word to show himself approved by God and so he could correctly explain the truth. In 2 Timothy 2:3 he’s encouraged to endure hardship and to not avoid it so that he can please the lord. Then in 2 Timothy 1:6 he’s encouraged to fan into flame his gifts. Paul understood that living in this world will dull our axe blade and that to be an effective Christian, we must constantly be sharpening ourselves.

Ecclesiastes 10:10 says, “Using a dull ax requires great strength, so sharpen the blade. That’s the value of wisdom; it helps you succeed” (NLT). A dull blade still cuts, but it requires more strength and effort. Implementing daily spiritual disciplines will help keep you sharp and effective. To do that you need to study in the Bible, examine your heart, renew your mind, put God’s Word into practice and pray. Jesus provided examples of this by withdrawing from the crowd to be alone with God. When is the last time you stepped away to purposefully sharpen your axe? We must take time each day to sharpen our axe so we can be more effective for the Kingdom in a world that tries to dull it every day.

Blessings,
Pastor David

Never in our lifetime have we witnessed so much division and discord in America. Some say the issue is racism, which is definitely a major issue and always will be until people’s hearts are changed. Only Jesus can do that. Others point to the divide in Washington between paid politicians who can’t seem to agree on anything other than spending OUR money. (Our national debt is approaching $40 trillion.) Others would point to recent Supreme Court rulings legalizing blatant, brazen immorality.

At the root is a deeper, more distinct issue. Let me explain.

There’s a reason why there has to be standards in a nation like ours. No nation can exist for long without standards. Like an orchestra that has to have every instrument in tune, or they can’t play a single song, the current discord in our nation is nothing more than the result of people and politicians who’ve decided we no longer need standards.

In Gaithersburg, Maryland, there’s an agency called the National Institute of Standards and Technology. It’s a federal agency, funded by your tax dollars, to make sure we’re all on the same page. Here’s how they describe it: “The Office of Weights and Measures promotes uniformity in U.S. weights and measures laws, regulations, and standards to achieve equality between buyers and sellers in the marketplace. This enhances consumer confidence, enables U.S. businesses to compete fairly at home and abroad, and strengthens the U.S. economy.” They go on to say that half of the U.S. Gross Domestic Product is affected by this agency, and would include retail food sales, transportation, petroleum products, and chemicals.

Can you imagine what would happen in America, if suddenly there were no standards by which to do business? What would happen to the construction business, retail sales, or food sales, if there were different standards or no standards at all? One of the reasons people stop at a McDonald’s or Burger King when they’re traveling is because they know what they’re going to get. But what would happen if that suddenly changed? Travel to a foreign country, walk into a restaurant with an American name, and you’ll begin to get an idea of what I’m saying.

What if a gallon of milk in Springfield, Oregon, were only half a gallon in Springfield, Florida, but sold at the gallon price? Most people would say that’s unacceptable. Some would suggest it was criminal. Exactly. There must be standards.

If you want to see what it looks like when there are no standards, just check out Judges 17:6, where it says, “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” In other words, there were no standards and there was no accountability. Everyone just did their own thing, and it was chaos.

There must be standards. Whether you’re talking about stop signs, milk, 2 x 4s, medicine, clothing, automobiles or even musical instruments.

In his book, What Keeps You Up At Night, Pete Wilson writes: “Here’s something I didn’t know until recently: in centuries past, there was no standard tuning pitch for musical instruments. It varies from place to place, and sometimes, even from street to street within the same city. ‘What difference would that make?’ you may ask. Well, if you’ve ever gone to an orchestra concert, you may remember that the first thing that happens is the first-chair violinist, or concertmaster, walks out on stage (people usually clap; I’m not sure why). Then, the oboe player sounds a note. Next, the entire orchestra plays the same note, then different notes, as each performer makes sure his or her instrument is in sync with the tuning note. Once everybody is in tune, the conductor walks out (people clap again, even though nobody has really done anything yet), and soon the music begins.

It just so happens that the pitch the oboist plays for the tuning note is the A above middle C. To be precise, it is the A that is produced by 440 vibrations per second. Musicians usually call it A 440. If you go to a concert in Nashville, New York City, Berlin, Istanbul, or Tokyo, the orchestras will all tune to A 440. It is the modern standard concert pitch.

The advantage of this is that if you are a musician, no matter where you go in the world, you can play with other musicians and know that you will all be in tune (well, as long as everyone is paying attention). If you are a trumpet player from Chicago and you are performing as a guest artist with the Budapest Festival Orchestra, your instrument will blend with the rest of the group. All of you are calibrated to the same standard.

Now, can you start to see the problem musicians were having a few centuries ago? There was no universally accepted standard. Each musician could do his or her own thing – which was a real difficulty if they wanted to perform together.”

Wilson continues, “Just as any musician knows that his or her instrument needs to be recalibrated to A 440 before any important session or performance, we need to know that our lives have to be recalibrated on a regular basis. We need to measure ourselves against the standard, and God has provided us the perfect tuning pitch to make sure we are living in tune with the way He has designed us to function.”

We’re still called the United States of America. But it’s pretty clear we’re not all on the same page. Is there any hope for us? Can America be united again?

Only if we get in tune with God
Blessings,
 

Good morning, church family!

It has been said that behind every successful man, there is a loving and supportive wife . . . and a very surprised mother-in-law! I have to say that is certainly true in my case. Angela has walked faithfully and shared in ministry with me for 44 years. As for the second part of the saying . . . unfortunately I never got to meet her.

As for Peter’s mother-in-law, she may not have been surprised but was definitely blessed by the Apostle’s call to and developing connection with Jesus. Matthew recorded an instance when Jesus was a guest in Simon’s home. Upon his arrival, Jesus found Peter’s mother-in-law in bed with a fever. Dr. Luke let us know this was a “high fever” and Peter’s family, sensing the severity of her illness, “asked Jesus to help her” (Luke 4:38).

Jesus simply “touched her hand and the fever left her” (Matt. 8:15a). As Jesus healed many that day both before and after his time in Peter’s home, this healing is not unique. But what Matthew noted next has long caught my attention: “she got up and began to wait on him” (Matt. 8:15b). “No sooner had he healed her than she busied herself in attending to his needs and to the needs of the other guests. She clearly regarded herself as ‘saved to serve’” (Barclay).

That seems to provide an answer to a question I have fielded many times throughout my ministry: “Why doesn’t God just take us home after our conversion?” It would make things a lot easier; I get that. But I think Peter’s mother-in-law would respond this way: “Because it is not just about us. We are saved to serve.” It is not just about my salvation or my healing. It is about the touch of God on my life which allows me to not only serve him but also his people.

The Bible is quite clear that each of us has been given gifts from the Holy Spirit to employ in service to others. Paul put it this way: “Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good” (I Cor. 12:7). Spiritual gifts are not given to enrich our lives or make us the center of attention. They are given to be used in ministry to bless those around us. In other words, we are “saved to serve.”

Later in his life, Peter wrote this: “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms” (I Pet. 4:10). The word Peter used and is translated as “various” comes from a root meaning a tapestry. The implication is when each of us faithfully uses our spiritual gifts for the good of others, God weaves them into a tapestry creating a beautiful picture of his grace. In other words, we are “saved to serve.”

Rejoice that Jesus has touched you and brought healing and restoration to your life. No matter your brokenness, leave it behind. You can “[get] up [begin] to wait on” those around you so they can be strengthened, and the Lord can be glorified. We are “saved to serve.” Let’s be successful in serving and so bring a smile to the Lord’s face . . . and another surprise to our mothers-in-law!

Blessings,
Pastor David

Good morning, church family!

Sadly, I have almost no childhood memories of celebrating Father’s Day. As an adult, however, I called Dad to talk every Father’s Day. Boy, I would give just about anything to have one more of those conversations with him.

Being a father is one of the greatest blessings in my life. The kids would often give me cards they made for Father’s Day which were so precious - even if I had to have the artwork explained to me! We developed our own Father's Day tradition: go to church, come home and grill steaks and spend the rest of the day playing games or just relaxing. Now, I look forward to hearing these sweet words: “Happy Father’s Day, Grandpa!”

What a blessing to know we have, as the song says, a “Good, Good Father.” The Apostle John marveled at “the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God” (I John 3:1). God is not reluctant in giving out his love; rather he has lavished it on us. This is a very active word in the Greek of the New Testament, implying God has poured out on us the very depths of his unfailing love.

Paul used three powerful descriptors in articulating the Father’s lavished love. First, we have “redemption through his blood” (Eph. 1:7). Redemption implies the securing of our release by the payment of a ransom. The ransom paid, the cost of our release from the penalty of sin, was the blood of Jesus. God the Father, in full cooperation with God the Son, birthed this incredible plan of redemption “before the creation of the world” (Eph. 1:4). Lavish love indeed!

Second, we can know “the forgiveness of sins” (v. 7). The word forgiveness implies the full release from an obligation, from a debt hanging over you. In his letter to the Romans, Paul wrote the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God in Christ is eternal life in the Father’s presence (cf. Rom. 6:23). This gift of forgiveness “purifies us from all sin (I John 1:7). Not some, much or even most, but all our sin. Lavish love indeed!

Finally, we can experience “the riches of God's grace” (v. 7). The biblical writers used grace to describe many facets of the riches of God. We are saved by grace through faith (Eph. 2:8). By grace we can approach God’s throne with confidence (Heb. 4:16). By grace we are gifted for ministry (Rom. 12:6). By grace we are strengthened daily for the journey (Heb. 13:7). From conversion till called home, we live by the riches of God’s grace. Lavish love indeed!

God is a father who specialized in the giving and not the receiving of gifts. Regardless of how or even if you celebrate Father’s Day – in ways big or small – you have a Father’s Day to look forward to, when Abba welcomes you into his arms and whispers, “welcome home, my child.” Hallelujah!

Blessings,
Pastor David

Technology can be a great thing in helping us discover more about something. I recently asked ChatGPT to describe First Church of Christ, and here’s how it responded:

 “First Church of Christ is a Bible-centered, non-denominational Christian church that has served Cherokee and the surrounding northwest Iowa area for many years. The church seeks to create a welcoming environment where people from all walks of life can grow in their faith, whether they are lifelong Christians or simply exploring spiritual questions for the first time. Its mission is summarized in three simple words—“Believe, Love, Grow.” It is a gathering of ordinary people—farmers, teachers, students, retirees, construction workers, business owners, and families—who are united by their faith in Jesus Christ. Rather than emphasizing perfection, the congregation emphasizes grace, hospitality, and spiritual growth. Their stated goal is to help connect people to faith by sharing the gospel, serving others with generosity and compassion, gathering regularly for worship and encouragement, and living lives marked by prayer and Christlike love.”

How would you describe First Church of Christ to someone if they had never visited?

If you consider First Church your church home, there are probably certain things that resonate with you more than others—the preaching, kids programming, groups, a specific ministry, or the relationships you've built here. Something comes to mind when you think about why you keep coming back, continue investing, and choose to make First Church a part of your life.

While each of us may answer that question differently, what unites us is our mission: To Love one another and help others grow in their relationship with God. Everything we do—from Sunday services and groups to children's ministry, Bible studies, outreach opportunities, and care ministries—flows from that purpose.

As we move through the summer months, it can be easy to shift into vacation mode and disconnect from some of our normal rhythms. Summer is also a great opportunity to reflect on what God has done in our lives and consider how we can continue growing in our faith and relationships. Whether you're traveling, attending camp, serving in a ministry, gathering with a group, or simply worshiping on a Sunday morning, every interaction is an opportunity to help fulfill our mission.

The church is not ultimately defined by its building, programs, facility or even its staff. The church is people. It's each of us choosing to live out the love of Christ and intentionally helping others take their next step toward Jesus.

So perhaps an even better question than "How would you describe First Church of Christ?" is this: How are you helping others experience First Church’s mission?

This summer, may we continue to be a church that not only talks about loving one another and helping others to grow in their relationship with Jesus, but may we each one actively live it out every day.

Blessings,
Pastor David

Where do you fix your gaze these days? We can look down, look back, look around, or we can look up.

When we are discouraged, defeated, depressed, we tend to look down. If you find yourself looking down, consider what David repeated three times in Psalm 42 and 43. “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.”

When we carry shame, regret, or start dreaming of the ‘good ole days’ we find ourselves looking back. When you get tired of turning around to see what is behind you, remember what Paul said, “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead” (Philippians 3:13).

When we face threats, making comparisons, or living discontented lives, we spend a lot of time looking around. We begin the search for something more to this life. Listen to the words of David, “I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:1-2).

In fact, that is always the answer for looking down, looking back, and looking around. From the lowest pit of despair, from the paralysis of being stuck in the past, and from the constant craving for more, the solution is the same, we need to look up.

The Bible consistently points our eyes vertically. Moses learned this as he led Israel. David looked beyond the armies of men to the angel armies of God. When Daniel’s prayers became a criminal act, he went back to his room, opened his window, and prayed to God as he had always done.

One of the best reminders is found in 2 Chronicles 20. King Jehoshaphat and Judah were threatened by the combined forces of three different nations. They are outnumbered, and he prayed to God, “We have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you” (2 Chronicles 20:12).

God assured him that there was no need to fear. “The battle is not yours, but God’s.” In fact, they wouldn’t even have to fight this battle.

Stop and think about that for a minute. Is there a battle you are trying to fight in your own strength? Trust God and let him do the heavy lifting. You may not have to lift a finger to see a resolution.

In Jehoshaphat’s story, God set an ambush for the three kings. (Possibly an angel army.) All of the three nations turned on each other and totally destroyed themselves.

All Judah had to do is go out and collect the plunder. There was so much it took three days to gather it all.

God knows what threatens you. He knows the helplessness you sometimes feel. And He has more than enough power to handle it.

Look up! Lift your eyes to God.

Tell Him about the enemy you are facing.

Trust Him to give you the victory.

Rejoicing in a God we can look up too!

Blessings,
Pastor David

Every one of us should be on the road to becoming a fully devoted follower of Jesus.
In Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus said, “All authority in Heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

Two things are obvious from what Jesus commanded us to do:
1) MAKE DISCIPLES.
2) TEACH THEM TO OBSERVE ALL THAT I HAVE
        COMMANDED YOU.

That makes the task of making disciples pretty clear cut. While none of us will ever arrive at becoming completely Christlike until we get to Heaven, we should all be making progress every day.

There are some signs along the road to becoming a fully devoted follower of JESUS that can help us track our progress and measure the level of our maturity.

A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS
It all begins with a personal relationship with Jesus as Lord and Savior.

Romans 10:9-10
“If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.”

John 14:6
“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

BEING BAPTIZED
Baptism is the outward declaration of an inward reality. It pictures what Jesus did for us, dying for our sins. Baptism pictures His death, burial and resurrection.
Jesus commanded that everyone who wants to be His disciple be baptized.

Matthew 28:19
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

Acts 2:41
“So those who received his word were baptized ...”

Romans 6:4-5
“We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.”

WORSHIPING WITH OTHER BELIEVERS
One of the signs of a developing disciple is living out your faith on a daily basis and consistent participation in the weekly corporate worship services with other believers. The bottom line is: if you’re a fully devoted follower of JESUS, you live your faith during the week and on the weekend you go to church.

Luke 9:23
“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”

Hebrews 10:23-25
“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

MEMBERSHIP: GIVING & SERVING
We believe every fully devoted follower of JESUS CHRIST will be enthusiastically and consistently committed to a local church body. Anyone can attend, but membership is more. Being a member means you have caught the vision of what we’re trying to do and are committed to helping that vision become reality.

We believe every disciple of JESUS should be serving somewhere in God’s church. The truth is: you’ll never be genuinely happy until you are. Find out what your gifts are and find a place to serve and see what happens.

We also believe every disciple of JESUS should follow the biblical practice of tithing (giving at least one-tenth of one’s income) to support the ministry and work of the local church. As we begin to grow in our walk with the Lord, we will learn and love to give more than that, as the Lord blesses us.

Matthew 6:19-21
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Matthew 6:24
“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”

1 Peter 4:10
“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace …”

Galatians 6:9-10
“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”

FELLOWSHIP: GETTING CONNECTED
Life is better connected. Nothing great happens apart from a relationship and spiritual growth can’t take place in isolation. We were made for fellowship with God and with each other. That’s why we encourage everyone to get involved in a Sunday school class or small group where you can build relationships with other believers, study God’s Word together, pray and basically do life together.

Acts 2:42-47 (paraphrased)
“And they devoted themselves to the apostle’s teaching and the fellowship … and all who believed were together and had all things in common … and day by day they were breaking bread in their homes … with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people.”

REPRODUCING: MAKING DISCIPLES
None of us will ever arrive at becoming completely Christlike until we get to Heaven, but if we’re making the kind of progress we ought to be making, the time will come when we join the ranks of those who are making disciples. Part of the progress that comes in our walk with the Lord is when we get to the point where we can say to others, “follow me as I follow Christ,” and we begin helping others get on the road to becoming a fully devoted follower of JESUS CHRIST.

Everything we do should help us become more fully devoted to Christ and help others become fully devoted followers of Christ, too!

So, where are you on that road today? Wherever you are, I want to challenge you to keep moving toward the next level … and take someone else with you.

Blessings,
Pastor David

Have you ever given something your best shot, only to come up short? It’s a frustrating and often painful experience. Maybe you prepared for a promotion that went to someone else, trained for a race you didn’t finish, or tried to mend a relationship that remained broken. In those moments of failure, it’s easy to feel like your efforts were wasted and that you’ve let yourself and others down.

The apostle Peter understood this feeling well. In the book of Luke, Jesus tells him to lower his nets for a catch after a long, fruitless night of fishing. Peter, an experienced fisherman, replied, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything.” He had tried and failed. Yet, he followed with a statement of faith: “But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” When he did, he caught so many fish that his nets began to break.

This story teaches us a powerful lesson. Our human effort, no matter how skilled or determined, has its limits. We can plan, practice, and push ourselves, but sometimes the results we want are beyond our control. It’s in these moments of perceived failure that God invites us to rely on His power, not our own. Peter’s obedience, despite his exhaustion and previous failure, opened the door to a miracle.

When you feel you’ve tried and failed, don’t lose hope. See it as an opportunity to turn to God and say, “I’ve done all I can. Now, I will trust in You.”

Blessings,
Pastor David

Memorial Day celebrates the remembrance of the men and women who have passed from this life while defending the USA and our right to enjoy life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Whether they died serving or died after service, they are all remembered. Their lives, time, and effort were the cost of freedom.

The day is marked with parades, concerts and observances. National Cemetaries will hold Memorial Day ceremonies. White gloves, dress uniforms, and perfectly precisioned salutes will show reverence and respect for the fallen.

Memorial Day also marks the beginning of summer. Americans will gather with family and friends, partake in BBQ, and swimming pools will open for the summer months. People will be out enjoying their life & liberty, and pursuing happiness.

This Memorial Day, take time to think about those who served and their ultimate sacrifice. This Memorial Day, do something to remember those who died serving our country. Look into the eyes of those who still mourn these once vibrant men and women, and express your sympathy. Thank them for the sacrifice their loved one made, and the sacrifices the family continues to make. Their sacrifice follows the example of Jesus Christ laying down His life for our freedom. It’s selfless love for others – not so others can mourn forever, but live!

"We know what real love is because Jesus gave up His life for us. So we 
also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters." 1 John 3:16

In the most quoted Memorial Day speech ever given, Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. ended his address with these words, “Our dead brothers still live for us, and bid us think of life, not death — of life to which in their youth they lent the passion and joy of the spring. As I listen, the great chorus of life and joy begins again, and amid the awful orchestra of seen and unseen powers and destinies of good and evil our trumpets sound once more a note of daring, hope, and will.” *

This Memorial Day, get out and celebrate life. Remember those who have given everything so that every American may enjoy it.

Blessings,
Pastor David

   * Oliver Wendall Holmes Jr.’s address was given on 30 May 1884, in Keene, New Hampshire, USA. The speech was delivered before John Sedgwick Post No. 4, Grand Army of the Republic. You can view the entire speech here: https://speakola.com/ideas/oliver-wendell-holmes-memorial-day-speech-1884
 

Have you ever been around someone who makes you better at something? Or someone who has the gift of encouragement? People like that seem to draw out the best in us. They make us pay attention more, do more and give a better effort. I’ve had a few people like that in my life. Each time you walk away from them you feel like you’re better for just having been with them. I always walk away from those conversations wanting to be like them and praying that God would help me to. I think of the John Maxwell quote where he says that we are either a plus or a minus to everyone we meet. I always want to be a plus, but I’ve learned it takes intentionality to do that.

David and Jonathan in 1 Samuel 18 had the kind of relationship where it was mutually beneficial. From the get go these two were around each other. They were both warriors in their own rights. Johnathan was the king’s son and David was a shepherd. Even though they came from different worlds and there was a financial difference, they were still able to add value to each other. Jonathan was willing to give up his place as king for David. They had a serious bond that many of us need in our life. I believe bonds like that start with us believing we have something to bring to the table that’s beneficial to others.

In Romans 1:12, Paul writes to believers, “When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours” (NLT). We all want to be encouraged by someone else, but we need to remember that we have the power to be an encouragement to someone no matter how highly we esteem them because they need encouragement too.

Look around you today as you go about your business. Ask God to open your eyes to see people who need encouragement. Then be bold and intentional about adding value and encouragement to them. Don’t wait for someone to be an encourager to you first. Step out in faith and encourage someone, then watch how you will be encouraged too. You have value that you can add to someone’s life today. Don’t hold back. Give it away like you’re made of it.

Blessings,
Pastor David

Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother… (John 19:25)

The Words rang down from the cross, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me!” All eyes turned toward the man hanging upon the cross. To say he was badly beaten would be an understatement; he had been so severely beaten that he was hardly recognizable at all. His flesh had been ripped away from his stomach, back, and sides leaving his bowels exposed by the flogging he had endured; his body was bruised and bloodied by the repeated beatings he had received. So grotesque was the sight that many, if not all, looked away. Even those who could not look away refused to make eye contact with him; all of them, that is, but one. One set of eyes refused to look away. One set of eyes could not, would not. And when his heavenly Father turned his back on him, one set of loving, accepting, tear-filled eyes stared intently into his — the eyes of his mother.

When I was younger I used to ask myself, “Why is Mary at the foot of the cross? How could she stand there and watch what they were doing to her son, her baby, her child? Why doesn’t she run? Why doesn’t she cry out? Why doesn’t she fight? Why doesn’t she do something, anything? Why stand there and witness the cruelty going on around her?”

The answer I believe is rather simple, but accurate: Mary stood there that day because she was the mother of the man on the cross. And as the rest of the world, and seemingly that day God, turned their backs to him she would not. Though the world itself rejected him and his disciples deserted him, his mother would not leave his side. How could she do anything else but love until the very end? I believe it was the love that Mary had for her son Jesus that kept her there that day. And she hoped that her presence would somehow bring comfort to her son in the midst of the pain and hurt he was enduring.

The early American writer Washington Irving (Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Rip Van Winkle) knew the power of a mother’s love to bring hope to the darkest moments of life. He wrote: “A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts.”

That same power of love has been felt by every child that ever ran to his mom with a “boo-boo” or cried upon her mother’s shoulder when life was unfair. The power of a mother’s love was felt when you shouted words of anger and she responded with words and actions of love. The power of a mother’s love was felt when you had your own children and realized just how much your mom loved you. And for some the power of a mother’s love was felt as you laid your hand upon her casket and realized the size of the hole now left in your heart.

Blessings,
Pastor David

Good morning, church family & friends!

In the rush of our daily lives, it is easy to let the urgent drown out the important. We run from task to task, answering emails, managing schedules, and chasing goals that the world tells us are essential. But if we were to hit pause and truly examine our hearts, what would we say is most important to us? Does the way we spend our time, money, and energy reflect those values, or have we drifted off course?

Jesus’ words in Matthew offer a powerful corrective to our scattered priorities. He doesn’t say we shouldn't care about our needs or responsibilities, but He instructs us on the order of operations: "Seek first the kingdom." This isn't just about adding a morning prayer to a busy schedule; it is about reorienting our entire life so that God’s will is the filter through which we make every decision. What does this look like practically?

It might mean choosing to put down your phone in the evening to be fully present with your spouse or children, prioritizing connection over distraction. It could mean reevaluating your finances to support a cause that advances the Gospel rather than upgrading a lifestyle that is already comfortable. It might look like carving out quiet time for scripture before checking the news, signaling to your spirit that God’s voice matters most.

Today, take a moment to do an honest inventory. Ask God to reveal where your priorities may have shifted. When we align our hearts with what is important to Him—loving people, serving others, and growing in faith—we find a peace and purpose that worldly success can never provide.

Blessings,
Pastor David

Happiness is a choice. It's a feeling, an attitude and a mindset. When we lean into happiness there's a Beauty, Grace and Peace that bubbles.

I like to think that I'm, generally, a happy person even though there are times when I still fall prey to moments and seasons of sadness.

Happiness, after all, is a choice. Just like I can decide what I want to eat, where I want to go and who I want to hang around, I can choose my mood or attitude. I can choose happiness.

What I can't choose are my circumstances. Life happens and sometimes life hurts. Sometimes our days are dark, desperate and dry. Sometimes we lose. Sometimes we stumble. Sometimes we get lost. Any number of events can chip away at our happiness and impede our joy. Death. Poverty. Illness. Loneliness. Divorce. Failure. Crisis. Injury.

It's why we can't rely upon people, events and things to make us happy. They won't. People will let you down and leave you alone. Events can fall short of expectation, get cancelled or postponed. Things will rust, break, disappear and get stolen. When we put our faith in such stuff to make us happy, we're simply chasing highs. We're pursuing a feeling. We're running after ghosts.

Solomon called this type of living a "chasing after the wind." Happiness, as he discovered, couldn't be acquired, built or bought. True happiness comes from a JOY that bubbles deep inside a person's soul. Consequently, it's possible to be happy even when life is filled with pain and problems.

David Steindl-Rast, in a TedTalk I watched recently, shared a simple, yet profound, three-prong strategy for being a happier person.

STOP: If you want to be happy, learn to slow down. Americans love to pack their days and hours with stuff to do and places to go. Our vacations are so busy we often need a vacation from our vacation. Americans currently get 6.8 hours of sleep a night. That's more than an hour less than we used to get 50 years ago. We're so busy performing as human doings that we never experience the joy of living as a human being. Sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is take a nap.

LOOK: A lot of happiness is rooted to a life that's grateful. And that involves looking around to purposely thank God for what He is doing. It's more than just stopping to smell the roses. We need to thank the One who put those roses in our path. In recent years, I've worked hard to be more aware of what's happening around me. I'm finding there's much joy in the little things I used to overlook. The giggle of a child. The flight of a bird. The sound of wind through my wind chimes. The sweet taste of chocolate. The smell of mint, barbecue or rain. Even the ticking of a clock. Everything is a reminder that life is short and every moment is pregnant with possibility.

GO: Sometimes the most important thing we can do is move. Children already know this truth, but many adults have somehow forgotten it. In fact, some of the saddest people I know are homebound, either by choice or circumstance. They live inside their homes, imprisoned usually by their health or confined by their fears. All I know is when we no longer go outside "and play," that's the moment we start to grow old.

I hope today you'll choose to be happy. I hope you'll intentionally seek Joy and fuel that search with Gratitude. Be thankful for every moment you've got because someday you may wish you had this one back. In case you haven't noticed, you won't be any younger than this moment and this day.

Be HAPPY, my friends, and know that God IS working!

Blessings,
Pastor David

Good morning, church family & friends!

In the quiet moments of our lives, it's easy to wonder if we're making the most of the time we've been given. We fill our days with tasks, meetings, and errands, yet at the end of the day, do we feel fulfilled? The world often pulls us in countless directions, promising satisfaction in achievements, possessions, or entertainment. But as believers, we are called to a higher purpose, one that redefines how we view our time.

The Apostle Paul gives us clear guidance: This isn't a command to fill every second with frantic activity, but a call to live with intention. It's about recognizing that each day is a gift from God, an opportunity to reflect His love, share His truth, and grow closer to Him.

Wasting time isn't just about being idle; it's about investing our precious moments in things that have no eternal value. Are we scrolling mindlessly when we could be praying? Are we chasing temporary pleasures instead of seeking lasting joy in God's presence?

Let's ask ourselves today: How can I honor God with my time? It could be as simple as pausing to pray for a friend, reading a chapter of scripture, or showing kindness to a stranger. When we align our actions with God's will, no moment is wasted. Instead, every minute becomes a chance to live wisely, purposefully, and for His glory.

Blessings,
Pastor David

I became a Christian in 1970. There was a lot of excitement back then, because a revival called the Jesus Movement had broken out. Historians agree that it was a genuine spiritual awakening.

There also was a lot of teaching about the last days. We thought Jesus was coming back at any moment. I remember even placing a bumper sticker on the frame of my bicycle that said “Jesus is coming!” But now some Christians are wondering why He hasn’t come back yet. Did He forget His promise to us?

The Bible tells us why Jesus hasn’t returned: “The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent” (2 Peter 3:9 NLT).

The Lord is waiting for the last person to believe. And when that day comes, when that person believes, we will meet Him in the air when he returns.

The passage continues, “Since everything around us is going to be destroyed like this, what holy and godly lives you should live, looking forward to the day of God and hurrying it along. . . . And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight” (verses 11–12, 14 NLT).

How are we to live as we await the return of Christ? We should live holy and godly lives, making every effort to be spotless and blameless and at peace with Him. That is what we should be doing. And if we don’t understand this, then we’re missing the point.

People have an endless appetite for last days events. They want to hear about the Rapture, the Antichrist, the Tribulation, Armageddon, and all the rest. That is great. But as we study all these things, what we learn should have an impact on the way we live.

As we look forward to the return of Christ, we should be shining lights in a dark place. Jesus said, “Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning” (Luke 12:35 NLT). In this statement, Jesus was referring to a first-century Jewish wedding.

These weddings were unique in that no one knew when the bridegroom would arrive. It might be at 3:00 in the morning or at 3:00 in the afternoon. But suddenly the announcement would go out that the bridegroom was on his way. Everyone would quickly take their places, and then the wedding would begin.

Jesus was saying this is what it will be like as we wait for His return. So, let’s be ready to go. Let’s be shining our light. As our culture gets darker, we need to shine brighter as Christians.

Let’s be known for what we are for rather than what we are against. Let’s look for opportunities to show the love of Jesus Christ in a tangible way, earning the right to share the gospel.

Blessings,
Pastor David

Good morning, church family & friends!

Being left out stinks. No matter how you spin it, it still stinks. I remember when my circle of friends in Junior High formed a new club and I was the only one not invited to join. In the long-range scheme of things, did it matter? No, not at all. But at the moment, it hurt. And evidently being left out left some kind of mark on me because I still remember it! It's not fun to be on the outside looking in.

Welcome to the world of the disciple Thomas. For reasons we do not know, he was not with the Twelve on the first Easter (John 20:24). Though hiding behind locked doors, “Jesus came and stood among them” (v. 19). I can’t even imagine the thrill, the excitement, along with some healthy fear, of that moment. Jesus spoke peace to calm them and showed his hands and side to convince them. Joy abounded!

For everyone but Thomas, who was left out of that incredible moment. Try as they might, the Disciples could not relay what they had experienced to Thomas in a way that removed his doubt. He declared, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hand and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it” (v. 25). For that one statement, he has forever been saddled with the moniker of “Doubting Thomas.”

I feel for Thomas! Earlier he was willing to accompany Jesus back to Bethany even if it meant dying with Jesus (Jn. 11:16). He had enough courage to ask Jesus how they could follow if they don’t know the way (Jn. 14:5). Besides, all Thomas asked for was what the Disciples had already experienced. Jesus had showed them his hands and side. Thomas desperately wanted that, to move from being left out to included in.

A week later, the Twelve gathered and Thomas was with them (v. 26). Jesus came and again stood among them. Turning to Thomas he said, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side” (v. 27). There is no indication Thomas acted on Jesus' offer. He simply declared, “My Lord and my God” (v. 28)! How good it must have felt to have moved from being left out to being included in.

Being left out stinks; being let in rocks! Especially when being let in means your name is written in the Lamb’s book of life and you can live forever in Jesus’ presence. That’s the only “club” that really matters. He is risen! Hallelujah!

Blessings,
Pastor David