Blogs
Direct
Don't you hate it when you call a company or organization and you get a continuous menu of numbers to press before you eventually get to the person you really need to speak with? As Christians, do we need a priest to go through to speak to God?. No! "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God..." -1 Peter 2:9. -Pastor Mike
Listening
Two of the young adults that I am friends with asked me how to hear God speak. I told them to keep their ears, eyes, and mind open to seeing, hearing or feeling the gentle touch of our Creator. "Devote yourself to prayer, being watchful and thankful."-Colossians 4:2. Look for God in nature, see God in acquaintences, and listen for God's directions. -Pastor Mike
Speech
Words can bless or words can wound. When you speak carelessly, you damage others feelings as well as your own reputation. "...Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry." -James 1:19. Ask the Holy Spirit for guidance in what to say. May your words be constructive, positive, mostivational, and full of love. -Pastor Mike
Streams
Recently a water pipe broke in front of our house. Water streamed out so powerfully that it lifted the concrete. The Holy Spirit is powerful as well. "Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." - John 7:38. Is the Holy Spirit empowering you to do God's work, prepared just for you with your gifts?
Inscribed
Often we see inscriptions on jewelry or fancy silverware, stating a feeling or the first letter of one's surname. Inscriptions show relationship. God desires a daily relationship with us, his children. We can foster this relationship through prayer, Bilbe study, and worship. "See, I have inscribed you on the palm of my hands." -Isaiah 50:16. -Pastor Mike
Service
It is an easy thing to say that you love Jesus, but can you show it? "Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him a third time, "Do you love me?" He said, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my Sheep"'. - John 21:17. Jesus wants us to repent of our sins, turn and walk away from them, and committ our lives to serving him. -Pastor Mike
Holy
Holy means morally perfect, pure, and set apart from all sin. Allowing ourselves the time to enjoy the beauty of nature opens us up to the holiness of it's creator. "...Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty: the whole world is full of his glory." -Isaiah 6:3. Talk a walk in the woods, along the water, or through a garden, and seek the holiness of God. -Pastor Mike
Faith
My good friend Bob is concerned about an upcoming operation. We talked yesteday over coffee about faith and prayed that God would help Bob find that "misplaced" gift of faith that had already been given him. "For it is by grace that you have been saved, through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God..." -Ephesians 2:8a. -Pastor Mike
Christian
A Christian has a perfect measure of faith and good deeds. "What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." -James 2:14,17. Good deeds don't earn salvation, but true faith does result in a new life. -Pastor Mike
Decisions
When the disciples lost Judas, they came together, prayed, then made a "team" decision in a mature way. "Then they prayed, "Lord, you know everyone's heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen...'" -Acts 1:24. Don't be a Lone Ranger when the effect of your decision will impact others. Involve others...be a team player. -Pastor Mike
