Imagine a father holding his newborn baby for the first time. When asked if he loves the child, he responds, "No, I do not. He has not earned it." This shocking scenario helps us understand something profound about God's love - it's the complete opposite of how our world operates. Watch Sermon on Demand - Click Here What Does Jesus' Baptism Teach Us About God's Love? When Jesus approached his cousin John for baptism, something extraordinary happened. As Jesus emerged from the

We've all heard the saying "When God closes a door, He opens a window." While this familiar phrase contains truth, it represents just one of many ways God communicates His will to us. Today, we'll explore how God speaks to us through multiple channels, inviting us to expand our understanding of divine guidance beyond simple doors and windows. The Limitation of Door-and-Window Thinking The concept of closed doors and open windows isn't wrong—it's simply incomplete. When we lim

I love hymns—their history, their depth, their theology. I grew up singing beloved evangelical favorites like “He Lives,” “The Old Rugged Cross,” and “Just As I Am,” and later encountered the sturdy strength of “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.” Yet one hymn that has recently captured my attention is “What Wondrous Love Is This.” Though American in origin, with roots in the Appalachian South, it feels far older than its early nineteenth-century beginnings. The tune first appeare

Life has a way of throwing curveballs at us when we least expect them. Whether it's dealing with illness, facing financial challenges, or navigating unexpected setbacks, we often find ourselves asking, "What should I do?" While the popular "What Would Jesus Do?" question has merit, there's another biblical figure whose example might be more relatable for everyday believers: Cornelius. See, Acts 10:1-23 Cornelius was an ordinary man facing extraordinary circumstances. Accordin

Have you ever been so certain you were doing the right thing, only to discover you were completely wrong? The story of Saul's conversion on the road to Damascus reveals how God can interrupt our lives in the most unexpected ways, transforming our hearts and redirecting our purpose. What Was Saul Really Doing? Saul wasn't just casually disagreeing with early Christians. He had obtained official letters from the high priest, giving him authority to arrest, bind, and forcibly br

*Written for those that wanted to participate, but couldn't. #seeyounextweek This week in Bible study (February 3), we spent time with The Chosen , Season 3, Episode 4, paying close attention to the intertwined gospel stories of Jairus and the woman with the bleeding. The episode takes creative liberties—many scenes are not found directly in Scripture—and that matters. Still, it offers something worth sitting with. It helps us imagine the complexity  of following Jesus: the j

Have you ever experienced a moment where something incredible happened, but you almost missed it? Those "what just happened?" moments that catch us completely off guard? These moments of revelation and discovery are more common than we think, especially when we approach life with intentionality rather than waiting for the extraordinary. Understanding the Season of Epiphany We find ourselves in the season of Epiphany, a time that follows Christmas and extends until Lent begins

Have you ever wondered if God judges you based on your worst moments? Or perhaps you've questioned whether your best days truly define who you are in God's eyes? These are profound questions that touch the heart of our faith journey and our understanding of divine grace. Watch the Whole Thing Here! - Sermon on Demand Can We Really Judge Someone by Their Best or Worst Day? Remember the story of my son's nico on his first and second day of school. On his very first day of kinde

"Reframing the Story" John 1:1–14 Preached by Pastor Melanie Ruta While I was away caring for Melissa as she continues to heal from knee surgery, our congregation was invited into a deeper, quieter Christmas reflection through Pastor Melanie Ruta’s sermon, Reframing the Story . Rather than retelling the familiar scenes of Bethlehem, she guided us into John’s Gospel—a text that asks us not simply to remember Christmas, but to understand it. Listening to Rev. Melanie's Sermon o

Life rarely unfolds the way we expect it to. Just when we think we have everything figured out, circumstances change, challenges arise, and we find ourselves needing to pivot in ways we never anticipated. The story of Joseph, Mary, and baby Jesus in Matthew 2 offers profound insights into how we can navigate uncertainty while staying faithful to God's leading. Watch the Sermon Demand - Click Here When God Speaks Through Dreams and Circumstances In Matthew 2:13-23, we see God

“Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face.” That line—usually attributed to Mike Tyson—has been sitting with me all week. Not loudly. Just there. Lingering. On Sunday, I preached about plans. About how planning can be wise. About how structure can help us move forward instead of drifting. And also about how quickly a plan can turn into something else entirely—something we cling to as if it were God. and that itself is bad because when we’re honest, many of us do

Have you ever wondered why some moments fill us with an inexplicable sense of joy that goes beyond simple happiness? The story of Mary's visit to Elizabeth in Luke 1:39-56 reveals something profound about the nature of true joy and how we encounter God's presence in unexpected ways. Watch the Sermon on Demand - Click Here When Joy Becomes Contagious Picture this scene: Mary, having just received the angel's announcement about her pregnancy, hurries to visit her relative Eliza

Peace isn't what most of us think it is. We often imagine peace as quiet moments with a cup of coffee, empty houses where we can read without interruption, or picturesque villages where nothing disturbs our tranquility. But what if peace is something entirely different—something more active, purposeful, and transformative? When Fear Meets Faith: A Lesson from 30,000 Feet Back in February 2017, I was on a plane caught in a snowstorm. The turbulence was so bad the lights went o

The time between Thanksgiving and Christmas can feel like an emotional whiplash. We move from gratitude around the dinner table to Black Friday chaos, then straight into the stress of holiday preparations. Right in the middle of this seasonal madness, Advent arrives with a gentle whisper: slow down, stop, pay attention, watch. Watch the Lesson on Demand - Click Here What Does It Mean to Watch for God? Two biblical stories from our Advent readings reveal an important truth abo

Life has a way of putting us under pressure. Whether it's a difficult relationship, financial stress, health challenges, or unexpected circumstances, we all face moments when we feel squeezed by life's demands. The question isn't whether these moments will come—it's what will be revealed when they do. The Orange Juice Principle What happens when you squeeze an orange? You get orange juice. It's that simple. No matter how hard you squeeze, you'll never get apple juice from an

In a world filled with uncertainty, destruction, and constant change, it's natural to seek knowledge and power to protect ourselves. We want to know when bad things will happen so we can prepare. We want signs and warnings. But what if there's a better question to ask than "when" and "what"? Watch the whole thing on Demand - Click here What Happens When Everything Falls Apart? Jesus spoke to his disciples about the beautiful temple, adorned with precious stones and gifts dedi

In a world obsessed with being correct, Jesus offers us a different perspective. When religious leaders tried to trap Him with trick questions, His response reveals a profound truth about what truly matters in our faith and relationships. Watch the whole lesson on demand - click here What Did the Sadducees Really Want? The Sadducees weren't genuinely seeking truth when they approached Jesus with their complex question about marriage and resurrection. They presented a scenario

As promised in my sermon from October 19th, I wanted to take a moment to explore this concept of justice and mercy , and how they are deeply connected. When I was studying law, I noticed that these two concepts often stood in opposition to each other. In the legal world, justice  is frequently defined by the boundaries of the law—by rules, penalties, and consequences. The goal is not really restoration but rather control, and, at times, punishment . The law as is consider aim

Prayer is more than just asking God for things we need. It's the spiritual air we breathe as followers of Christ, positioning us to see God's presence and work in our daily lives. Through the parable of the persistent widow in Luke 18:1-8, Jesus teaches us two essential truths about prayer that can transform how we approach our relationship with God. Watch the whole lesson on demand - click here Understanding the Persistent Widow's True Character The widow in Jesus' parable i

In Luke 17:5-10, we encounter a seemingly disjointed passage where the disciples ask Jesus to increase their faith. Jesus responds with...