“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” 2 Corinthians 4:17 My farmer dad had a saying that he would frequently use when engaging in long-term projects that involved a high degree of complexity, skill and commitment. It wasn’t original to him and I’m sure you’ve probably heard variations of it. Here it is: 3 steps forward, 2 steps back. So, when putting on a new roof on a building…
“… I will build my church and the gates of Hell will not overcome it!”Matthew 16:18 “OK team, gather around.” Coach Williams emerges from the locker room onto the basketball court. The other team has already huddled up and the referee stands ready, twirling his whistle. His team jogs over and quickly gathers near the bench. “Trevor, what is that helmet you are wearing? This isn’t football, dude! And Sarah, you brought a volleyball? Really? Lance, take off the baseball…
“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.” Hebrews 12:28-29 Have you noticed how Thanksgiving is becoming a “non-holiday” in our culture? Our local Lowe’s home improvement warehouse has had artificial Christmas trees on sale since Halloween. Years ago it seemed like communities and retailers would hold off on putting up Christmas decorations until after Thanksgiving. In fact, as a…
So we had a rough morning at the Benedict house the other day…OK, maybe it was this morning. In a household of six, it is not uncommon for someone to “get out of the wrong side of the bed,” but it’s fairly unusual for ALL of us to cross over to the dark side at the same time. Here’s the situation. Pam teaches piano lessons on Wednesdays and Thursdays. So on Tuesday nights, she simply asks that we pick up…
Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners…. (1 Timothy 1:15) For the last several midweek devotionals we’ve been exploring how Jesus maintained balance in three key areas of his life. He fostered a deep, intimate UPWARD relationship with his Father and a fully engaged INWARD connection to other believers. Today let’s consider his OUTWARD relationship to the world. While his upward relationship was his source of life and his inward relationship was a source…
I am cared for spiritually by so many people in our church family and for that, I am very thankful. John and Paul are awesome spiritual brothers. I love living life with them. Our elders frequently check in on me with phone calls and encouraging emails. I often meet early on Friday mornings for prayer with Matt Caudle and Lance Utne. This past week, Jerry Cogley invited me out for breakfast, Bill Lewis inquired on my well-being and we met…
“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” Revelation 3:20 This past Sunday we talked about balance in three areas of life: UPWARD – our relationship with God, INWARD – our relationship to other believers and OUTWARD – our relationship to the world. We discovered that Jesus maintained this three-fold balance in his life, too. Since Jesus maintained…
I know that the Lord secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy. Psalm 140:12 This past weekend, I was in Jamaica for the Jamaica Link Ministries (JLM) annual board meeting. JLM is the Jamaican ministry that has facilitated our mission trips to the island for the past six years. Their facility is right on the Caribbean Sea next to a little strand of beach and seawall at the north end of the “hip strip” in…
But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold. Job 23:10 This week, Pastor John and Matt Patti will be presenting an integrated teaching and worship set continuing our exploration of “Back to Square One.” I have been amazed at what God has been doing in our church family these past few weeks and the many people who have shared with me their “Back to Square One Moments.” In the course…
Ephesians 4:25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. Yesterday afternoon my wife took Justin, Katelyn and several of their friends to the Prince William County Fair. Now, I recognize that the county fair is not for everyone, but for us it’s a kind of end-of-summer tradition: see the animals, drop in to view the art, photography and craft contests, eat some food, ride some rides, and then go home….