"WARNING: NO LIFEGUARD ON DUTY." I know, it seems to be an odd piece of signage to be thinking about at the end of November, but it is one of those signs that everyone understands, especially as you recall the last phrase: "SWIM AT YOUR OWN RISK." A sign like this states an obvious reality, one that swimmers are [...]

Well it is almost Thanksgiving and we are once again presented with another opportunity to express our gratitude to the One from whom all blessings flow (Love that familiar Doxology). We discover in Psalm 100 the Power of Worship when directed to our Heavenly Father and how it relates to gratitude. Let's break it down: 1. (V. 1) Make a joyful [...]

There are so many voices in our world. News media, social media, family, friends, neighbors, teachers, employers; not to mention the voices you have in your head and heart from your past. Do you still hear the encouraging voice of your mom or dad, a teacher or coach, a pastor or youth leader, maybe someone who discipled [...]

Homicide and suicide are on a historic rise in the United States. A recent Harvard study shows that "loneliness appears to have increased substantially the last two years". And according to a national poll, 81% of Americans say that life will likely never return to normal. Participants were asked to select the word or words that best [...]

Can we be hopeful in times of disbelief? Being a follower of Christ is hard these days. These are days of disbelief and as a result, many feel hopeless. (Psalm 2 ) begins with "Help, Lord." This is a familiar prayer these days isn't it? In this brief poem King David complains that there is no [...]

"The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want..." Psalm 23 is one of the most recognizable chapters in the entire Bible. We learn it in Sunday School, see it in funeral programs, and notice it on church décor. Even those who do not attend church have likely heard this psalm before. I know it is familiar [...]

From last week: When we worship and trust God, not because of our circumstances but despite them, we please the Lord of the universe in ways that empower and transform us and our witness. For this week: We see this type of faith throughout the Scriptures: from Joseph, who saw God's providence in his brothers' betrayal (Genesis [...]

In Psalm 69, David cries out: "Save me, O God! For the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in deep mire, where there is no foothold; I have come into deep waters, and the flood sweeps over me. I am weary with my crying out; my throat is parched. My eyes grow dim with [...]

"All these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the Lord your God" (Deuteronomy 28:2). Just as the blessings of the Lord come with a condition, they also carry a warranty. Pastor Mark Batterson comments: "In contractual law a warranty protects us against a manufacturer's defect or seller's default. Those warranties [...]

For the last two weeks we have been talking about ways that we can help ourselves and others facing the storms of life. We know that Satan is the enemy behind these storms. Satan is the original terrorist. Jesus called him " a murderer from the beginning" (John 8:44). The Lord warned us that "the [...]