a word from the pastor

The Power to Persist in Pandemic

Teaching through Paul’s letters to his young protégé Timothy has reminded me just how relevant the Word of God is to every situation we might face in this life, even pandemic. One verse in particular that speaks to our current crisis is 2 Timothy 1:7. Encouraging the young pastor in Ephesus, Paul...
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A Spiritual Taste Test

It’s been said that stressed vines make the best wine, meaning the harder the vine works to produce fruit, the more vibrant the flavor. In similar fashion, God uses difficult times to produce within us a vibrant faith, making us more loving, joyful, peaceful, patient, kind, generous, and self-con...
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Is Your Child Prepared for College?

As a Christian dad, grandfather, and pastor, a major concern of mine is that our adversary, the devil, continues his relentless assault on the family. One of his battlegrounds is higher education, and surely he would like nothing more to disrupt the counsel of Proverbs 22:6, “Train up a child in ...
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Progressive Christianity

There is a movement abroad that has been gaining ground for the last two decades and poses a huge threat to the authority of Scripture. It’s called “Progressive Christianity” and has been around since the late 19th century. It’s progressive in its assertion that Christianity must evolve to fit wi...
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Persevering in Pandemic

While many churches have adjusted quickly during the pandemic, the effects have sadly taken a toll on many of those in smaller, rural communities. I recently spoke with Larry Steen, the Director of Missions for the Mid-Maryland Baptist Association, who mentioned that many of these churches have e...
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Where is God in Covid-19?

James Martin is a Jesuit priest who, in a recent New York Times op-ed, offered the following answer to the question: Where is God in a pandemic? “In the end, the most honest answer to the question of why the COVID-19 virus is killing thousands of people, why infectious diseases ravage humanity...
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Are There Cracks in Your Foundation?

“If the foundations be destroyed what can the righteous do?” (Psalm 11:3) It seems the contagion known as COVID-19 is constantly evolving in its deadly grip on our nation. The virus is incredibly contagious, and Carroll County has made national headlines with a severe outbreak reported in a Mt...
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Our Responsibility to the Poor

I was recently informed of something interesting that took place last Sunday after the service. Andy, one of our lay pastors, had brought a message on the parable of the Good Samaritan. Upon leaving the building, those in attendance discovered a family in need that had pulled into the parking lot...
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Jesus fasted…and why you should, too

The prominence of fasting in Scripture should lead every Christian to consider adopting the practice. While fasting is not commanded in the New Testament, Jesus fasted, and in his Sermon on the Mount he assumed that his followers would also fast and gave instructions for it. Yet many Christians h...
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Who Me? Holy?

There is an amazing statement in the Bible made by the Shunamite woman to her husband about the prophet Elisha: “Behold now, I know that this is a holy man of God who is continually passing our way.” (2 Kings 4:9) She didn’t say Elisha was a famous man, successful, or handsome, but holy. I believ...
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