Flow Time

Stagnation refers to something that has ceased to flow. It often refers to a body of water that has no in or no out and thus just sits there...becoming stagnant. We as believers can stagnate. We can have something in us, but no flow out and thus no fresh flow in. There is much for us to learn as we look to the word of God. It compels us not to become stale, rather to stoke the fire. It compels us to give, to serve, and to worship.

Are we satisfied with our Christian journey? Do we long for more? Do we hunger for more? Do we find ourselves desperate before we find ourselves in a desperate situation? These are important questions. Why? Consider what Christ says of the Laodecian church in Rev 3...."I know your deeds, you are not cold, you are not hot, so I will spew you out. Yuck..not a snowball, not a fireball, but a spitball. Interestingly enough we are preferred to be hot or cold, that is better than the middle. So right now as you read this blog...Are you feeling a little stale? Get the flow going my friends, it's flow time.

Pastor J

Worst Day Ever

I hear this expression often nowadays. Sometimes a person is joking when using this expression and at other times you sense that maybe that is the truth. For most of us, we can recount a day or at least narrow it down to a few days that were the worst day ever.

I don't know about you; but those days often become the springboard for a season for me. I have to work very hard and truly seek God to find a path out of depression and despondency. The beautiful thing is that God always has a path and that the perspective on the other side of the confusion is better than when we are going through those times. Not that we feel good about the experience but we have a better perspective. It is often in these times that I get confused about life.

The question for most of us, is how do I get from being confused to being focused again. Join us this Sunday as we will look at how God has created some pathways that lead us from here to there.

If you are having the worst day ever - don't give up, don't quit - God will walk with you, carry you, sustain you and guide you through every situation you face. Be encouraged, greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world(sorry - had to preach a little there)

ps - I just caved - was trying to make it till November 1st - didn't make it - what am I talking about you may ask - just listened to the first Christmas music of the season... :)

Pastor Rich

Are you Lost?

Lost...not just a TV show, but a reality for many people wandering the earth. They wonder as they wander, asking what is life's meaning. Is this all there is? They seek fulfillment and happiness in very wrong places. They ask...what happened, why didn't this work out. People become disillusioned, disenchanted, misdirected...Lost.

Even the believer has to sift through his/her doubts. Trying to make sense of the trials of life, but in the end a little lost. Truthfully, we have all been there at one time or another. Not sure which path to take, scared to take another step, wondering and second guessing decisions we make.

There is one sure way to get back on track. Let the Holy Spirit and God's word navigate you. If you follow their guidance you are on your way to having that confidence of knowing your path..navigated. Join us this Sunday as we explore this place of being lost to an assurance of being navigated.

Pastor J

Why I Preach

In the emptiness of my fallow speech
I form my lips to utter some sound
that might illuminate the grandeur of who you are
to those whom you love and have entrusted into my care

I love to preach - to present the truth of God's word to those who have ears to hear. One of the challenges of preaching is the vastness of the audience. On any given Sunday, we have those who are new to the faith and are still growing in their basic understanding concerning the foundational concepts of God's truth and Love; and then we have the life long Christ follower who could probably preach the message better than me(some have even told me so :)

I don't say this to complain; I love the challenge. But the one thing I have to keep in my mind is that I am not trying to please you - no offense - I am just trying to honor God with what He calls me to do week in and week out. Just wanted to give you a window into the struggle of a guy who tries to be faithful to God's word and give you some insight into a thought of someone who gets to stand before God's people and speak.

So I invite you to come hear the feeble words of someone who just genuinely loves God this Sunday as we begin a new series called You are Here

Talk at you soon

Pastor Rich