The world sees a church that lives little of what it preaches, often living in opposition to the gospel it pronounces. We give visibility to Jesus in how we live and not what we say. Wherever we feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the lonely or rejected, and bring unity and peace to those who are divided, we proclaim Christ and the love of God, whether we speak about Him or not. Actions speak louder than words! Read more

Saturday, December 11, 2010 Heaven is Waiting On Us by Robert Ricciardelli God’s ways are greater than ours, and He will not let us check out from earth before His time. In an hour of despondency many are waiting for a quick escape to heaven rather than overcoming faith to abide in His Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. We must leave ourselves and all of our affairs in God’s gracious hands, trusting Him fully for His will... Read more

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.  Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full  (John 15:9-11)   What was it that made David such a great king? Saul was more impressive. Solomon was wiser. There... Read more

“And I will give unto you the keys of the Kingdom…” (Matthew 16:19). This is perhaps one of the more noted sayings of Jesus, and the very idea that we can actually open and close heaven’s doors fills our imaginations with both wonder and inquiry. What does He mean by this? Some would argue that since Jesus was speaking specifically to Peter, these words make him the first of many successive Popes who hold an authority to which no other human... Read more

Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined. (Psalm 50:2) In this verse we have three words in special relation to each other – ”perfection,” “beauty” and “God.” And while it is Zion that is called the perfection of beauty, it is the perfection of beauty because God shined out of her. In trying to understand today’s Christianity (and by that I do not mean liberalism or modernism, I mean evangelicalism or gospel Christianity), we must take into... Read more

On September 18, 2007, computer science professor Randy Pausch stepped in front of an audience of 400 people at Carnegie Mellon University to deliver a last lecture called “Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams.” With slides of his CT scans beaming out to the audience, Randy told his audience about the cancer that is devouring his pancreas and that will claim his life in a matter of months. On the stage that day, Randy was youthful, energetic, handsome, often cheerfully, darkly... Read more

God loves His creation beyond the four walls of established religion or congregational meetings. As ambassadors for Christ to the world, we have a larger task beyond the all important fellowship and nurturing of one another. We are a witness of God’s love made visible through His presence in our every day lives. Presence does not live in a building, or when the music is playing, for Presence lives in you. Read more

God’s ways are greater than ours, and He will not let us check out from earth before His time. In an hour of despondency many are waiting for a quick escape to heaven rather than overcoming faith to abide in His Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. We must leave ourselves and all of our affairs in God’s gracious hands, trusting Him fully for His will to be accomplished in us through His measures and methods. Read more

We impart the divine as we become human as God intended. Empowered by His love in doing good in our service to others is God’s intention for humanity. Human gestures of hospitality, friendship, and building together, create an atmosphere for the miraculous to take place. God’s omnipresence in and through our lives manifests Himself through practical ways. Be ready at all times for God’s transformational engagements. Read more

We have been birthed into one Spirit, one Body in Christ. We are all unique purpose filled parts fused by the One. In our uniqueness we must not expect one member to fulfill someone else’s part. God is the only one who is all, in all, and able to do all. Empowered by the fullness of His Spirit, we bring forth His unseen to scene. Be thankful for being a limited yet powerful extension of His heavenly plans on earth. Read more