Pastoral Ponderings

Isaiah 55 – By Pastor/Elder Brian Nelson
Over the past several months there has been a group of dedicated men, young and old, who have been studying Isaiah (Tuesday mornings 6:30, you are always welcome to join us!). It would take several ponderings to give ample background to get us to chapter 55 but here is a brief catch up. Isaiah is […]
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Be Strong and Courageous – By Pastor/Elder Tony Minell
Imagine with me that we are living on the edge of the promised land. Our fearless leader, Moses, is dead. What stands behind is the wilderness of slavery in Egypt and the literal wasteland of 40 years of wanderings. What stands before us is a land that is fully inhabited by “the Canaanites, the Hittites, the […]
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Testing…Testing… – By Pastor/Elder Rene Milner
I have been meditating lately on James 1. I often find this book challenging. For me it seems to fit perfectly between the old and new testaments. Sometimes it seems reflective of the Law and at others it is filled with Grace. This week I have been particularly “tested” by the third verse. “For you […]
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When I Shut Up The Heavens So That There Is No Rain – By Pastor/Elder Greg Mattson
“When I shut up heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people, if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and […]
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2 Timothy 1:3-7 – By Pastor/Elder Paul Linzmeier
“I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. 4As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy. 5I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother […]
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Luke 16:15 – By Pastor/Elder Matt Leko
“You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God.” Luke 16:15 When Jesus said these words, He was directing them to the most (publicly) blameless and “esteemed” men in His current culture. They publicly dotted their I’s […]
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Beyond Comprehension – by Pastor/Elder Brian Gates
“To whom will you liken me and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be alike?” Isaiah 46:5 The people were again fashioning idols in the prophet Isaiah’s day, and the Lord God asked, who compares to Him? Who is His equal? He reminded them a few verses later: “Remember the former things […]
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Bad Things…Good People? – by Pastor/Elder Zack Fugate
“When you come to appear before me, who has required of you this trampling of my courts? Bring no more vain offerings; incense is an abomination to me. New moon and Sabbath and the calling of convocations—I cannot endure iniquity and solemn assembly. Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hates; they have […]
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Snow – Pastor/Elder Jeff Warren
While experiencing our first Christmas down south, our family soon realized that many Christmas songs mentioning snow only pertained to the upper half of the country. I suppose, we all took it for granted and never realized that there are no songs where someone dreams of a dreary, brown Christmas. Snow is certainly tied […]
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A New Year – Jay Swisher
New Year’s Day is the first day of a new calendar. In some cultures it’s the day when everyone celebrates their birthdays no matter when they were born in the year. (That would make it easy for a husband to remember his wife’s birthday, but it also gives no excuse for forgetting. They would still […]
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