• Church,  Life

    Keeping Life in Balance

    This past week in our church, we studied Ecc. 4:1-12.  Solomon looked around and he saw vanity.  People were either lazy or they were a workaholic.  He saw all vanity. Ecclesiastes 4:1-12  – English Standard Version (ESV) What does this mean for me? We often buy the latest self-help, time-management, making priorities, scheduling,… type of books and resources to try to get a better handle on our time and priorities.  What I’ve learned though (and keep repeating the lesson) is that I need to start with God’s Word.  Real change in my life will not happen apart from the Word of God.  When I read verses like Matthew 6:33 (Seek God’s…

  • Bible,  Life

    Opinions – God’s Word

    2 Timothy 3:16-17 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God[a] may be complete, equipped for every good work. God’s Word can be powerful.  It changes lives.  It encourages.  It convicts.  It opens eyes.  It provides passion.  God speaks to us through His Word. How can we understand it?  John 14:26 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. The Holy Spirit helps us understand His Word…

  • Bible,  Life

    Getting the Most out of our Friendships and Relationships

    1 Samuel 18, 20; 2 Samuel 9 Let’s look at the relationship between David and Jonathan. Saul was the king of Israel at the time. He was the very first King. Jonathan was his son. King Saul disobeyed God and God selected David to be the next king. Saul found out about that and wanted to kill David… So you can imagine quandary it put Jonathan in. Despite being King Saul’s son and the one people thought perhaps would be the next king after Saul, Jonathan befriended David and they became the very best of friends. From your experience, how do you improve upon your relationships? As you think about…

  • God's grace

    How the word “until” destroys forgiveness

    [Matthew 18:23-34 ESV]  26 So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ 27 And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. 28 But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ 29 So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ 30 He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay…

  • Christmas,  God's Call,  God's Sovereignty,  Life,  Prophecy

    Christmas – God uses the government to get Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem

    1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed,[b] who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn…

  • Life,  Marriage,  Prophecy

    The Great Marriage

    Weddings can be FUN! Last week my son got married to a wonderful girl. It was a great wedding!!! What was the highlight? Many at the wedding commented how happy Brian and Jen looked at the wedding and especially toward each other. You could clearly see how he loves his bride and his bride loves him. When they said their vows, it appeared they had no idea all the guests were listening and watching them on stage. They were there for one reason… to marry and begin a new lifelong relationship. Even the reception and celebration was exciting and fun as we celebrated the new union. We had the blessing…