a word from the pastor

Being Gospel-worthy

At our men’s retreat last weekend, our speaker asked us to describe how we would respond to a person who might say, “I’ve noticed something different about you, and I’m curious to know what that might be.” It was an exercise in discipleship to help us think through the steps required over time to...
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The Key to Integrity

The book of Job has been a source of comfort and strength down through the ages, and the example of Job’s perseverance in the face of great adversity and suffering continues to inspire. Early in the story, after losing his fortune and all his children, Satan afflicts his body with “loathsome sore...
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Pray for Your Brothers and Sisters in Afghanistan

Afghanistan now lies in the hands of the Taliban, radical Islamists that threaten the lives of thousands of our brothers and sisters in Christ. In a recent report from CBN several cities with many Christians are surrounded with no way of escape. One anonymous Afghan church leader said that known ...
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The Bamboo Brawl

I hate bamboo. Yes, I’m using the word hate for a plant. This invasive, overgrown member of the grass family continues to spread further into my yard every year, and my annual battle of the bamboo has never achieved complete victory. The problem started over a quarter century ago before we move...
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Understanding Gossip Biblically

In a recent Christianity Today article, Kate Shellnutt explains how accusations of gossip are frequently used to silence critics and whistleblowers. Indeed, the investigation into the debacle at Ravi Zacharias Ministries revealed how those who voiced legitimate concerns were accused of “spreading...
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Is God Pleased with You?

Enoch is one of two men in the Bible who never actually died. Both he and Elijah were taken up into heaven by God and, as such, represent those who will be alive at Christ’s return and “caught up to meet the Lord in the air.” (1 Thessalonians 4:17) Enoch is also one of two men in the Bible of w...
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Are You Making God Jealous?

One emotion we don’t normally associate with God is jealousy. Yet, the Bible clearly describes him in this way (see Exodus 20:3,5 and James 4:5). In fact, many people have found this idea offensive, even disturbing. Brad Pitt was raised a conservative Southern Baptist, but in a 2007 interview in ...
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Be a Pillar in Your Church

When James and Cephas [Peter] and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given to me, they gave the right hand of fellowship to Barnabas and me. -Galatians 2:9 Growing up in church my understanding of being a “pillar” within the congregation came to be those stodgy deacon...
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Are you a student of the Bible?

I recently came across a quote by atheist Andrew Seidel of the Freedom from Religion Foundation that is highly typical of secularism’s attitude toward the Bible. He said: “The road to atheism is littered with Bibles that have been read from cover to cover.” Obviously, the Bible’s message “did the...
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Restoring an Erring Brother

What would you do if you discovered that a brother in Christ was involved in some kind of sinful practice? Or if you witnessed him in some kind of compromising position? Men often avoid confronting an erring brother even though the Bible makes it clear that it’s our responsibility to do so. Guys ...
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