Pastor’s Ponderings: Always be Joyful! (Nov. 2024)
God’s will for us is to be joyful, to pray and always be thankful. When we keep our focus on God when we’re in the midst of difficult circumstances, our Thanksgiving be still be filled with hope and joy.
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: Embrace the Holy Spirit ( Oct. 2024)
It’s the middle of October and Halloween is coming upon us. There are a lot of spooky and mysterious things associated with Halloween. But as Christians, how can we see God in the midst of all of the candy and talk about death and spirits?
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: New & Old, As Long as it’s About Jesus! (Sept. 2024)
Times change. Sometimes we’re in familiar territory. Sometimes we’re “traditional”, sometimes we’re “contemporary”. Even Jesus changed the way He healed people depending on the circumstances. But the eternal constant is that we always point people to Jesus.
(Note: This is Pastor Mike’s first “Ponderings” article.)
Pastor’s Ponderings: What Has God Done for Me?
The song “My Tribute (To God be the Glory)” challenges us to consider the ways that God continues to bless us. What are these blessings? How do we thank Him?
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: Using the Talents You Do Have (2/1/23)
Sometimes we keep trying to do things we can’t do and get frustrated because we loose focus on the things we CAN do. Pastor Jim submitted thoughts on this for the Feb. 2023 edition of Steeple Notes (our church’s newsletter).
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: What is Love? (9/22/22)
What is True Love? Can we love unconditionally, regardless of what someone says about us or does to us? Does love have strings attached (“I’ll love you IF…”)? In this post, we see how God is calling us to a deeper level of love and “good will” towards all people.
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: Set Free to Do Kindness (9/21/22)
What are our churches doing to bring relief, help, and hope to those in need, those who are poor, the immigrant? How can we be creative and bold in the name of Jesus to make a difference in our communities and in the world?
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: Using ALL Your Strength (8/16/22)
We often struggle without reaching out to God or trusting Him for His empowerment. Imagine what we could do in life, in our churches, in our communities, and in the world if we relied upon God’s Holy Spirit, using “all of our strength”?
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: Finding Clarity during Foggy Moments (8/9/22)
Have you ever gone through stretches in life where you felt confused or lost? Did your faith wane? Did you doubt God’s presence? In this post, Pastor Jim looks at those “foggy moments” in life.
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: Empowered to Forgive (8/6/22)
Years after being imprisoned in a Nazi Concentration Camp, a former guard approached Cori ten Boom and asked for forgiveness. Forgive someone who was part of an effort which killed over 6 million innocent people? Could you forgive him? God can…
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: Who Are We Thankful For? (7/9/22)
God has given us life and He continues to give us everything that we need. How thankful are we?
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: Look at Yourself!
Living a life of holiness means that we have to keep examining ourselves: “How is it with your soul?” Even as we cast all of our anxieties on God, we need to be willing to be molded into the people God wants us to be.
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: God Carries Us
God carries us- burdens and all! The good news of the Gospel is that God remains with us, even when we’re carrying a load of burdens. If we entrust ourselves and our burdens into His capable hands, He’ll carry us through life’s “stormy seas.”
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: My Christmas Wish
Did you get what you wanted for Christmas??? The poem in this post reminds us of the best gifts.
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: Worship- the Most Important Time of the Week
Is it just another Sunday morning? Same ‘ole routine? Wrong outlook! In this “ponderings” Pastor Jim shares some ideas on how each worship service should be filled with anticipation and unity as we gather together.
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: The Most Useful Tool
Discouragement is the Devil’s most frequently used and most effective tool. How can we fight against it? In this offering, Pastor Jim gives us some insight on how to become more encouraging.
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: Celebrating Teachers
As we return to school, small groups and Sunday School, we should always remember our teachers and be thankful for those who give of their time, talent, and energy to help us learn.
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: What’s it Mean to “Bear Fruit”?
In this excerpt from “Cultivating Fruitfulness,” Bishop Schnase reminds us that purpose and life come when the church turns outward to serve the community. When it turns inward, the church gets weaker and looses purpose.
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: Focusing on the Goal
An Olympian became distracted, lost his focus, and lost the race. Are we on target, focused on the bull’s eye? Or do we squander what God has given us and settle for fourth place? May we have such a level of commitment that we will not be distracted until we reach the goals God has set before us.
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: Running the Race with Perseverance
American athlete James Connolly dreamed of competing in the Triple Jump on the world stage. When the Olympics returned in 1896, he quit college and sailed for Athens. His persistence paid off; He won the first place prize. Victory is assured, but we are called to “run the race with perseverance” until the prize is won.
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