My 1-year-old son, Eli, likes to have things his way. When he wants something, he goes and grabs it. When someone tries to make him do something he doesn't want to do, like take a nap, he throws a tantrum... I mean a full-on, scream-his-head-off, throw stuff, throw-himself-to-the-ground, tantrum. It's bad when 1-year-old acts like this, but it's expected. When...
Read More
I had a discussion with someone recently about pride. Pride is difficult concept today because it can have different meanings, some good and some bad. You can be prideful (meaning arrogant) or you can be proud of the work you've done (satisfied and pleased). You can be known as being a proud person (boastful) or you can be known as...
Read MoreHappy St Patrick’s Day! I have always loved this day ever since I read the autobiography of Patrick. It is the second autobiography ever written after ‘The Confessions of St Augustine,” being the first. Patrick was kidnapped by Irish pirates in the late 400’s from Britain. After six years as a slave working in fields, he escaped and returned home. ...
Read MoreToday is one of the most important days of the year. It is Good Friday the day Jesus died on the cross. I am always asked by the kids in chapel why is this day called good, when the most terrible thing happened? Here is the answer. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us so...
Read MoreCan you keep a secret? Can you keep a secret from God? Absolutely not. Jesus knew of this plan and took steps to make sure it did not disrupt his plans. Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid...
Read MoreWe have started Holy Week and one of the things Jesus did this week caused quite a commotion in the Temple. On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple area and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, and would not allow anyone...
Read MoreWhat is holy ground? I have heard of several Christian coffee shops using the name Holy Grounds. Holy ground is when we come into the presence of God. So Moses thought, "I will go over and see this strange sight--why the bush does not burn up." When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called to...
Read MoreDo you shut your eyes when you pray? I usually do except when praying while running or driving the car. As your Pastor, I advise you to do the same for your own safety and public safety. I like shutting my eyes because it takes prayer into a place where we leave our focus on this world. To help explain...
Read MorePrayer happens in many ways and in many situations. This verse gives two different times of praying. Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. (James 5:13) I think we are all familiar with the prayers of those who are in trouble. When faced with problems people often...
Read MoreLast week was a pretty amazing week for Melissa and I (Kurt). The birth of our son, Eli, was scheduled for Monday morning. On Sunday night before bed, our whole family gathered together and prayed for a safe delivery. On Monday morning, Melissa and I got up and headed to the hospital. On the way, we spent some time praying...
Read More“Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all his benefits— who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” -Psalm 103:2-5 God can be difficult to comprehend. When...
Read MoreScripture Matthew 4:1-4 “Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4 But he answered,...
Read More