PASTOR'S CORNER

Hab 3:3-15 "One hot July afternoon in 1967, Joni Eareckson Tada dove into a shallow lake and her life would change forever. She suffered a spinal cord fracture that would leave her paralyzed from the neck down, without use of her hands and legs. Lying in her hospital bed, Joni tried desperately to make sense of the horrible turn of events. The story is told that she begged friends to assist her in suicide." Struggling with the question if paralysis was God’s plan she said, "I believe that God’s purpose in my accident was to turn a stubborn kid into a woman who would reflect patience, endurance and a lively, optimistic hope of the heavenly glories above."  The bible is all about God’s glory and plan that He has for creation as we focus on eternal things! Sadly though, we as Christians live or focus on earthy things over eternal things! Picture I'm holding a rope that is wrapped around the earth millions of times which represent your life and eterni...

Hab 3:2 There’s a story about a group of pioneers making their way across one of the central states to a distant place that had been opened up for homesteading. As they travelled in covered wagons drawn by oxen, and progress was necessarily slow. One day they were horrified to note a long line of smoke in the west, stretching for miles across the prairie, and soon it was evident that the dried grass was burning violently and coming toward them rapidly. They had crossed a river the day before but it would be impossible to go back to that before the flames would be upon them.  One man only seemed to have understanding as to what could be done. He gave the command to set fire to the grass behind them. Then when a space was burned over, the whole company moved back upon it.  As the flames roared on toward them from the west, a little girl cried out in terror, “Are you sure we shall not all be burned up?” The leader replied, “My child, the flames cannot reach us h...

 Powerful Preaching by Charles R. Swindoll Read  Acts 17:10--34 If you are responsible for communicating biblical truth, consider yourself a preacher (at least for the now)---you are a communicator of God's Word. If that describes you, these next four principles are especially for you. Pay close attention, read thoughtfully and carefully, as I apply this to whatever may be your ministry. First,  always stay on the subject---Christ . For Paul it was always about Christ. Though explaining the altar of the unknown God of Athens, everything for Paul pointed to Christ. Preaching that doesn't exalt Christ is empty preaching. Paul wrote to the Corinthian believers, "For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified" (1 Corinthians 2:2). For Paul, to live was Christ and to die was gain. Second,  always speak the truth without fear . Do not be overly impressed with those who have come to the class or who sit in the church wher...

Acts 2:44-47 Commitment is a word that has lost a lot of its meaning today.  Many people have watered down its true meaning or it has become something that people want to avoid all together.  The proof of this is in the increasing amount of divorces that happen each year.  Promises made to others with no intention of keeping them.  People suing each other for no reason. C hildren dropping out and not finishing school.  People defaulting on their loans for reasons other than financial difficulties. Sadly, t his is even happening in the churches today. Christian’s not willing to stick it out or fight for her as a body of believers.  See, there’s something to say about being committed to something that is of great value or something that is worth fighting for.  The church is such a place, that’s why I love the church.....she is worth defending and fighting for.  The Church is a place where people are committed to one another becaus...

Mark 3:31-35 Jesus Christ in all His humanity set the bar for us as believers !  Jesus Christ in all His humanity set the bar for us as a universal church !  Jesus Christ in all His humanity set the bar for us as a local church !  Jesus Christ in all His humanity set the bar for us as a family !  The church is a beautiful place to be!  The church is a picture of God’s saving mercies to sinners like us: A people who have down falls A people of wicked pasts A people who called out of darkness A people with personal issues and problems A people who need each other for support and encouragement See the church  isn't  perfect! It’s a place that has scares It’s a place that has needy people It’s a place that babies spiritually It’s a place that is filled with doubt and fear at times It’s a place that is hard to get along with sometimes It’s a place that we can find comfort It’s a place that has different people from diffe...