Our Blog

Worship Ministry - July 2024

Firm Foundation
“Oh, rain came and wind blew
But my house was built on You
And I'm safe with You I'm gonna make it through
Yeah, I'm gonna make it through
'Cause my house is built on you”
- Firm Foundation (He Won’t)

We are now halfway through the year, I don’t know how cause it seems like January 1st was two weeks ago, but here we are. Not to freak anyone out but Christmas is 26 weeks away (as of writing this)! I know that the new year is the time for self-evaluation, new goals, and new resolutions, but maybe today is a good day to start a new habit. I had a teacher in High School, Don Roe, who would say “You don’t need a New Year's resolution, you need a now-resolution.” I didn’t appreciate that as a tenth grader, but as a 31-year-old I see the wisdom in that statement. It’s easy to make goals and say “I’m going to start that tomorrow.” Tomorrow comes and goes and nothing changes. So, today is the day to begin the good habits, to seek the Lord with renewed vigor, and to make the second half of the year more faithful than the first half.

“24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.” Matthew 7:24-25

A few weeks ago we sang the song “Firm Foundation (He Won’t)” and I was convicted of my attitude towards the study of God’s Word. It’s not that I didn’t ever read it, I did, but not with a heart and mind for what it meant and what it was proclaiming. The mighty and everlasting promises of God were not penetrating my cold heart! Not because God’s promises had somehow lost their power and truthfulness, but because I had lost sight of the value of His Holy Word.

The conviction hit even harder when I began thinking of my two children. If I don’t teach them to love God’s Word, if I don’t display a dedication to the study of it and encourage my family to do the same then who is going to? The world sure isn’t!

The rainfall, flood waters and winds of life come and “beat” on our “houses” every day. Some days are more intense than others, but it’s always there! For me, and my family, what is going to prepare us for those hard days that have yet to reveal themselves? The Word of God! It is through His Word that we find His wisdom and strength to care for when life is the most difficult!

So, what “now-resolution” did I make in light of this conviction? I grabbed my Bible and a journal book for the Book of James and began reading and writing the things God was impressing on my heart. I hope to do each book of the Bible so that as my two children graduate High School, I will be able to gift them these journals. Giving them the wisdom of God’s Word, and the testament to their dad's devotion to Christ, His Church, and His Word.

What “now-resolution” do you need to make TODAY? Don’t wait for tomorrow, seek Him today!

Love you and mean it!

Worship Ministry - June 2024

Night of Worship
A few weeks ago we had a wonderful Spring Night of Worship led by our children’s choir, youth band, adult choir, and band. I am so thankful for everyone who participated and helped make this night an incredible time of praise to our God! It was a great picture of the body of Christ, all generations singing to the Holy One!

I hope for those in the congregation that you were blessed and encouraged through the truths that were sung that night. May we cling to these as we head into the hectic summertime. As we travel, and as our routines are a little different for the next few months, let us continue to sing and praise the King. May we be reminded that we are “blessed” and that we serve “such an awesome God.”

Psalm 105:1
As many of us begin to travel for the summer, I want to remind us of a few things from Psalm 105:1, to remind us that we continue to praise the Lord no matter where the summer may take us.

Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples!

Oh Give Thanks to the Lord
In Mark 12, Jesus tells of a widower who gives two small coins in the temple collection box. These two coins weren’t even worth a penny, nearly worthless; but to this widow, it was a sacrifice. Jesus declares “This poor widow put in only two small coins. But the truth is, she gave more than all those rich people.”

As believers, it is easy for us to praise God in the good times; to thank Him for the raise or the healthy new baby being born. We find it much harder to praise Him in the bad times; in the death of a loved one or job loss. Yet, in all things and all situations we are called to praise Him. Psalm 105:1 didn’t qualify when or in what situation we should “give thanks to the Lord,” only that we DO give Him thanks! Just like the widow who “sacrificially” praised God through her offering, we need to be willing to give all we are in praise to Him.

Call Upon His Name
I am reminded of Luke 23:46 - “Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this He breathed his last.” Christ, in His most vulnerable state, hanging on the cross cried out to God entrusting His life to the Father. Even at His very last breath, in the most pain, Christ knew where to turn and to whom He should trust.

We too, should be praying out God in trust. “Call(ing) upon His name.” The name that is above every name and the name that can save. These are truths that we know, but it is so easy for us to turn to our strength or the encouragement of friends before we call upon God for help. So, the next time you are having a bad day, maybe your worst day, let us first turn to God and call on His name.

Make Known His Deeds Among the Peoples
Matthew 28:19 - Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit

As we go throughout our lives, may we be looking for all opportunities to point people to Christ. In how we live, in what we say, and in our willingness to share the truth of His Word. The world does not lack a need for Christ, so let us not lack a willingness to show them the Savior.

Let us go and live our Psalm 105:1 - giving God praise, calling on His powerful name, and telling the world of His mighty deeds.

Love you and mean it!