This past Sunday, our church celebrated Pastor Tim Haring and what God has done through him over almost 40 years. Pastors Matt Santen, Seth Broadhurst, and Josh Rhodes shared about Pastor Tim’s faithfulness, but the overall theme was how much love Tim has. Our calling may not be to leave everything to start a church like it was for Pastor Tim, but we all have an opportunity to influence those arou...

Are we so resistant and fearful of change that we are blinded to the miraculous things God has in store? God wants to do something new right now in each of our lives, but we need to trust Him. Instead of relying on ourselves, we must have faith in God's promises and eyes to see past our current fears and doubts to whatever path He opens....

Comparison often breeds covetousness, the desire for what others have. This desire can quickly spiral into discontentment, causing us to question God's provision and goodness. But covetousness is a thief of joy. It blinds us to the blessings we already possess and sows seeds of bitterness in our hearts. ...

This week, I was reminded about the importance of speaking up. I can remember occasions when someone spoke up for me when I was heading down a path that would have brought a lot of pain and regret. At some point, a friend pulled me aside and told me they were concerned. Looking back, I'm grateful that I surrounded myself with people who were willing to do what was difficult and called me out....

Stealing is one of these things we like to adjust in our own eyes how severe the sin is because of the value of what we are stealing or who we are stealing from. We might think lightly of a kid stealing a candy bar because of how small the item is. We might not think much of lying on our taxes because "the government takes enough of our money." However, I encourage you to take this commandment, al...

Ones who have chosen to be in adulterous relationships can be forgiven. In seeking forgiveness, Warren Wiersbe states that the adulterer and adulteress must live with the sad consequences of forgiven sin. It is wonderful to be forgiven, but living with the consequences can be difficult. More than the adulterers are impacted. Family members, friends, and coworkers suffer from the consequences....

The loss of my cousin has taught me the importance of compassion and forgiveness. I have learned to extend grace to others, recognizing that life is too short and fragile. Each day is a true gift and pushes me to cherish my relationships more and more. Our lives have a purpose so much greater than we know, and even amidst pain and loss, we can rest on that promise....

Andrew asked a pointed question toward the end of his talk. "Am I living a life worth honoring?" As a parent, I have tried to emulate for my children what my parents did for me—care, nurture, protect, teach, discipline, and love. Now that my kids are adults, how would they answer that? ...

Rest is something that we all crave and need. Because of our society, we are almost afraid to seek rest for fear that someone will see us as lazy and unwilling to give more of ourselves than is really needed. However, God knows that the renewing of life is through the leading of Jesus day-by-day. This journey to rest is purposeful and brings about refreshment to our souls....

Do you ever find that when you’re sitting in church, and the pastor makes a great point, you immediately think of someone you wish could be hearing the message? By doing this, we are missing a vital step in Jesus’ process to encourage others to walk in the truth. However, when we begin in the mirror and look at the log in our eyes, we will understand that we are not quite as well off as we might h...

How has our culture influenced you? Have you downloaded Instagram? Is there a desire in you to climb the corporate ladder or have a beautiful home that HGTV would want to visit? These things are in and of themselves evil or sinful. However, we must be aware that the world has the habit of trying to infiltrate our hearts, convincing us it’s more important than Jesus....

During the second week of our “Ten” series, Pastor Tim pointed out that if God has His proper place, everything else will fall into place. If putting God first seems overwhelming, begin by counting your blessings. When we place God first, it does not mean the path will be shorter or easier, but you will be far wiser and find peace in knowing you are not alone, and He’s got this. ...

Our new series, “Ten,” began on Sunday, and Pastor Tim made the point that the Ten Commandments are not the way of salvation but reveal the path that leads to an abundant, rich, and satisfying life. This message made me think of how it’s easy to make small compromises that can escalate into larger ones. Something that “won’t hurt just this once” can become something we continue to allow, leading u...

As I have grown in my relationship with the Lord, there have been times when remembering God’s faithfulness has come in great sorrow. It is important to realize that God’s character is often seen through the many circumstances of life. Being able to experience this deep abiding love is foundational to knowing who God is, what He has done, what He will do, and the depth of His love that is encompas...

The problem the religious leaders were facing was that they had allowed their hearts to become so callous that when they looked at the man with the paralyzed hand, they did not see an image bearer of the highest God, a person with inherent value and worth, someone worth listening to and loving. They didn't even really see the man, but rather, saw him as a means to an end to try to trap Jesus. Our ...

Withholding forgiveness was poisoning me and the hope for my new relationships. Realizing this and offering forgiveness was downright painful. It required a total surrender and trust that God knows best. If you are struggling with forgiveness, try starting where I did—pray for the desire to forgive. Remember, only God is truly capable of offering final judgments, so give that control over to the O...

During the last couple of years of my mom’s life, she suffered from some pretty severe memory issues, robbing her of recollections and weaving confusion into her day. Now that she has been gone for over five years, I would give just about anything for one of those conversations over the same stories and questions. Instead, I get to reflect on our many amazing memories that I get to hold tightly un...

When my little sister Bree entered our family, it marked a significant turning point in my life, a transition from self-centeredness to selflessness—everything wasn't about me now. While selflessness still doesn't come naturally to me, I've come to understand how important it is in fostering strong, healthy connections with my husband and with others. Choosing to be selfless requires an intentiona...

What we all need to recognize is that the intimacy we long for can only be found in the person of Jesus Christ. There is no more intimate act than Christ’s death for us. He knew everything about us, all of our sins and shame, and yet, He still laid down His life for us. He fully knows you and fully loves you....

Marriage matters to God because it reflects the depth of His love for His people. Just as Christ laid down His life for His bride, the Church, so too, are husbands and wives called to sacrificially love and honor one another. In sickness and in health, in joy and in sorrow, marriage became a testament to the transformative power of God's love—a testament to His sovereignty—a reminder that His purp...