Opinion / Pastor's Corner
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Pastor's Corner: Wise conflict resolution
If you desire to live in a world without conflict, then you are living in the wrong world. The sinful nature of humanity will lead to conflicts, disagreements, and divisions. “Now the deeds of the flesh are evident ... — Updated 5/30/2023
Pastor's Corner: Honoring our mothers
May is one of those months that sees the weather get warmer, the end of the school year get closer, and we celebrate Mother's Day! Although not all of us are moms, we certainly all had one at some point in our lives. I know that... — Updated 5/20/2023
Pastor's Corner: The story inside the Ten Commandments
Many people are at least vaguely familiar with the Ten Commandments. And quite a few people know the story behind them — that God gave them to Moses on the top of Mt. Sinai. But much less familiar is the story [BEGIN ITAL]inside[... — Updated 5/6/2023
Pastor's Corner: Pressing on toward the goal
In Philippians 3:14, the Apostle Paul writes, “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Any athlete knows it takes clear goals and consistent hard work to win an... — Updated 4/30/2023
Pastor's Corner: Evidence for faith
I probably don't need to tell you that Easter was celebrated this year on April 9. Sanctuaries were decorated, choirs practiced, meals were planned and served for family gatherings, and some of you may have even gone shopping for... — Updated 4/18/2023
Pastor's Corner: The resurrected life
Thank God for the resurrected life. We are not what we once were, but we have been set free by the resurrection power of Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2:1 says, "...and you hath he quickened who were dead in trespasses and sins." Let's... — Updated 4/8/2023
Pastor's Corner: Strong disagreements
God's word often exposes the sins of God's people. In that way, the Bible is a tremendously honest and forthright book. Even in the case of heroes and giants in the faith, the... — Updated 3/25/2023
Pastor's Corner: Why are religions different?
Churches have a lot of things in common. But they are not all the same. There are differences as well as similarities, as anyone who has visited other churches while on vacation can verify. And if there are differences between one... — Updated 2/13/2023
Pastor's Corner -Jan. 26, 2023
With the Super Bowl just around the corner, I thought it would be interesting to give you some Super Bowl history. Did you know the Detroit Lions, Cleveland Browns, Jacksonville Jag... — Updated 1/31/2023
Pastor's Corner: 'Carry on'
If you've ever watched a TV show or movie involving the military, you've probably heard the phrase "carry on" used a few times. The phrase apparently came from the British Navy several hundred of years ago, where it was given as a... — Updated 1/22/2023
Pastor's Corner - Jan. 5, 2023
“Without counsel plans are frustrated, but with many counselors they succeed.” (Proverbs 15:22) Success or failure largely depends on the company you keep and the counsel you heed (1 Cor 15:33). Our closest friends and... — Updated 1/8/2023
Pastor's Corner: The hourglass
Time keeps passing. Here we are, nearly into 2023. Moving into a new year can bring renewed optimism and a sense of new beginnings. People with this outlook see opportunities and a chance to start again. Or it might bring a... — Updated 1/2/2023
Pastor's Corner: Enjoying the best gift: God with us
For many, Christmas is all about the gifts, and that's not altogether a bad thing. The truth is that there is a spirit of love, generosity and sharing, the very spirit that triggered the first coming of Jesus Christ. We are about t... — Updated 12/26/2022
Pastor's Corner: God's gift to the world
Second Corinthians 9:15 says, Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift. God is a giver. He is rich in mercy and grace, and he gave the world the most perfect gift in Jesus Christ. James 1:17 says, Every good and every perfect gi... — Updated 12/20/2022
Pastor's Corner: The Promised One
It's a little hard to believe that we're already in the Advent Season again as we move into the weeks leading up to Christmas Day! I've begun an Advent series with our church, "The Promised One," as we prepare our hearts to... — Updated 12/12/2022
Pastor's Corner: All mine
Christianity teaches a lot of amazing things: that God is triune, that God the Son became man, that our salvation was accomplished by a great exchange of Christ taking our place, to name just a few. One of the most amazing things... — Updated 11/20/2022
Pastor's Corner: True gratitude is more than words
As a young pastor in a small tribal village in Guatemala, I was always amazed at both the deep faith and the profound generosity of the Kaqchikel people I served. For what seemed to me even the smallest favor, they responded by fil... — Updated 11/15/2022
Pastor's Corner: 'Community'
Over these past several years I've enjoyed being part of a "Zoom Cohort," comprised of pastors across the country. These groups are organized by our US Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches, and in the past, I've even had the... — Updated 10/31/2022
Pastor's Corner: Motivation for the momentous
Everyone in the world is on a quest for success. Many successful people in history accomplished great things; none more so than King Solomon (990-931 BC). Proverbs is where Solomon wrote divinely revealed wisdom for skillful... — Updated 10/23/2022
Pastor's Corner: Tis the season
Have you noticed that it’s that season again? The season I am referring to is the silly season we refer to around here as election season. Every two years we go to the polls ... — Updated 10/15/2022
Pastor's Corner: Changing plans
It’s always nice to be able to make and stick to plans. That isn’t always reality, though. If a flight gets canceled, we wind up making new arrangements on the go — sometimes with considerable disappointment. Since it... — Updated 10/12/2022
Pastor's Corner: A shelter for our soul
2nd Timothy 1:12 says, For I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. This world is a dangerous place. Carjackings, smash and grab, and assaults are... — Updated 9/27/2022
Pastor's Corner: #BetterTogether
When I was in college at Biola University, I remember making a statement to my roommate that went something like this: “I can live out my faith by myself and really don't need others to do that!.” Wow, was I wrong! In my zeal... — Updated 9/18/2022
Pastor's Corner - Sept. 1, 2022
How many of you know what a tattoo is? Before anybody gets defensive, I’m not preaching against tattoos. It is your body. If you want tattoos, more power to you. I don’t. But... — Updated 9/5/2022
Pastor's Corner: Stop and think
The book of Ecclesiastes has a number of texts that make us scratch our heads and wonder a little. To give just a few examples: “In much wisdom is much grief, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow” (1:18).... — Updated 8/28/2022