PASTOR JOHN'S BLOG

Lifestyle Changes

2011-10-21T09:44:00.001-04:00

“Mr. Fisher, we have a problem.” Those are the words from my doctor. He wants to put me on pills for the rest of my life. So I’m thinking what’s this ‘We have a problem’ stuff? Is he going to take the pills with me? I don’t think so.

I’m not going to take the pills. I hate pills. Pills rhymes with bills, and I hate those too.

The only alternative I have is to change my lifestyle and see what happens. So, I’m giving it a try. No more hamburgers, cheeseburgers, Whoppers, Big Macs, ‘Juicy Burgers’ or 5 Guys’ burgers. No fried food. Eat fish, eat green stuff, become a rabbit, go to the gym every day and get real hungry afterwards so I can eat more green stuff. I have to quit thinking like a chicken in waking up to eggs every day. I must now think like a horse; eat oats all the time: cold oatmeal, hot oatmeal, one oatmeal cookie a week, and oatmeal in my soup.

It pays to think like a horse; correction: ‘thoroughbred’. I can tell that my saddle is not so tight anymore, and I have more energy than previously. The only downside is that Sheree says I tend to ‘whinny’ more. In November another blood test will be taken to determine if my lifestyle change has paid off. I’m sure the doctor will be so impressed he’ll say “We sure are doing better, aren’t we?” And again I’ll think “What’s this ‘we’ stuff? I’m the one eating the rabbit food and living on oatmeal!”

In reality, I’m glad for the lifestyle change. I really do feel better. I really am starting to enjoy the greens, the oatmeal, and the fish. In fact, if fish is ‘brain food’, maybe it might even help improve my memory! It might also improve my memory.

As I reflect back on my lifestyle change to improve my physical health, I am reminded of the Great Physician, God Himself, warning many of us to improve our Spiritual health. We need to make a ‘lifestyle change’. That could include a steady diet of prayer and scripture meditation and actively being a blessing to other people. I know the lifestyle change our Lord is calling me to make. What lifestyle change is He calling you to?

October 21, 2011

Welcome to the Neighborhood

2011-08-03T09:24:00.000-04:00

Last week we began a series called "Welcome to the Neighborhood" in which we are tourists in Heaven's neighborhood. As part of this series you are invited to e-mail, write, or contact me with any questions you may have about Heaven and the afterlife. ~ Pastor John
jcsmfisher@msn.com

August 3, 2011

Quitters

2011-07-06T10:52:00.000-04:00

We’ve all felt like quitting at one time or another. Many of us have experienced the pain and disappointment of someone quitting on us. How do you think God feels when someone tries to quit on Him?

July 6, 2011

Who's the Boss?

2011-06-10T09:29:00.001-04:00

Several weeks back we started a series on the Lordship of Jesus Christ entitled “Who’s the Boss?” It was only supposed to last three weeks. Now we are on week five! In reality, this is a series that could never end because once we realize that Jesus is Lord – it means He’s the Boss over everything we do, say, or think.

He’s the Boss over the church.
He’s the Boss over what I should or should not watch on T.V.
He’s the Boss over how I deal with other people.
He’s the Boss over the kind of people we should date.
He’s the Boss over our finances.
Since Jesus is Lord, what He is Boss over is limitless.

I know the series title “Who’s the Boss?” will end in the near future. A new series will start with a new name. Regardless of what any series is called, just remember that in the background of every series is the reality: “HE’S the BOSS!”

-Pastor John

June 10, 2011

Lord of the New Creation

2011-05-19T07:55:00.001-04:00

There are so many things that seem to be going on in this world that it can be easy to think "Where is God?" The truth is Jesus is still Lord and reigns over the beauty and brokenness of this world. Talk about a ‘fixer-upper’, our Lord specializes in this.

May 19, 2011

Lord of Creation

2011-05-11T10:21:00.001-04:00

Sunday we will begin a three part series entitled "Who's the Boss?" which deals with the fact that Jesus is Lord! What does it mean to you that He is Lord? Let me ask this another way. The prevailing Greek term rendered ‘Lord’ in the New Testament is ‘kyrios’ or ‘master’, ‘owner’, ‘one who has authority and power over property and persons.’ Again I ask the question, “What does it mean to you that Jesus is Lord?” Ponder these verses as you reflect on Jesus is Lord: I Corinthians 6:19-20 and Romans 14:7-9.

May 11, 2011

Promises Made, Promises Kept

2011-04-21T10:48:00.001-04:00

In preparing for Resurrection Sunday (Easter) I came across an interesting website called toptenproofs.com. This site talks about proofs for creation, proofs for God’s existence, and proofs for the resurrection. As I read again the common proofs or evidence for Christ’s resurrection, it struck me that only a fool would not take into account the plethora of evidence. Why is it that more people won’t accept the evidence? One theologian responded this way: “The evidence for Jesus’ resurrection is so strong that nobody would question it except for two things. First, it is a very unusual event. Second, if you believe it happened, you have to change the way you live.” What do you think? Is he right?

April 21, 2011

A Day in the Life of Simon from Cyrene

2011-04-15T09:13:00.000-04:00

Sunday begins our journey from the events of Palm Sunday to Good Friday. The Son of God came to our world for the express purpose of paying for our sins on a cross. Even though His cross was the ultimate sacrifice, He also calls us to bear a cross as well. What does that cross look like?

April 15, 2011

Can Smart People Believe in God?

2011-04-07T18:58:00.000-04:00

It's been said that the Christian faith is not very scientific. It's been said that we have to make a choice between using our heads or "leaping out" in faith. It's been said that the Christian faith is for the weak minded. This Sunday we will take a brief look at the fact that having faith in our God is the most intelligent act of our lifetime.

April 7, 2011

His Own Clothes

2011-03-31T07:39:00.000-04:00

Sunday we will complete our three part series of "Cross Talks" as we look at the time Jesus was mocked and ridiculed by Roman soldiers. The question we will wrestle with is "Are there times that we still mock Jesus?" It can happen more than we think.

March 31, 2011

Snakes

2011-03-23T10:28:00.001-04:00

It’s that time of year again. The sun’s warm rays are hitting the front side of the house, making it feel 60 degrees on a 40 degree day. The sidewalk, steps, and bushes warm up toasty and, before you know it, out come the snakes. They’ll be lying on the sidewalk, or ever worse, throughout the top of the bare barberry bushes. Quite often it takes you by surprise when you pass a bush and they start to slither.
Sheree hates snakes. They can cause paralyzing fear in her when they stare her in the face and project their forked tongues at her. She doesn’t believe they belong in this world or the next. I just don’t believe they belong in the front of the house. At least we both agree on this.
My job, as provider and protector of my Queen and castle, is to patrol the front of our house on a regular basis. The snakes are gathered up in a five gallon bucket and the lid is snapped on. They are taken by car, many miles away and dropped off near 1851 Scotch Ridge Rd. Once the snakes are gone, Sheree feels much better about entering the house. “Ahhh, there’s no place like home.”
In another way, “It’s that time of year again.” The Son’s rays of grace and love seem stronger and more focused as we approach Resurrection Sunday. Things are warming up in the church year as we get ready to enter God’s house and celebrate Easter. I am reminded, though, that this is the time of Lent in the church year. It’s a time to take a good look at ourselves and see if there are any snakes (sins) around that need to be dealt with. It is a mistake to keep the snakes around.

“If I had cherished sin in my heart,
The Lord would not have listened,” Psalm 66:18

Confessing our sin before God is like removing the snakes, and we are able to enter into God’s throne room with prayer. I have found that as I ask God to reveal the snakes in my heart, and then ask Him to take them away, He does! By the time Sunday rolls around, I find it so much easier to enter God’s house on earth and feel “Ahhh, there’s no place like home!”

March 23, 2011

God Wants to Get Married, Part 2

2011-03-03T11:44:00.001-05:00

We have been looking at the reality that the Bible consistently presents our Maker as a husband and His people as His bride. He promises to care for us, meet our needs, and provide for our future. When we are down, He lifts us up. When we are weak, He imparts His strength. He wants us even now to claim and live out the privilege of being joined to Him. This week we will again see, by studying the marriage customs of Jesus' time, how God wants to communicate this great truth to us.

March 3, 2011

A View from the Pew

2011-02-01T09:27:00.000-05:00

Table Talk
Adapted by Heather Moran from Pastor John’s message on January 30, 2011.

The table is a powerful symbol of how we are connected and how we can grow as a family and as individuals. In the Bible we see the table as the gathering place for the Last Supper, where the disciples were all together with Jesus for one last time before his betrayal. In Christianity today we have the communion table representing Christ’s sacrifice for us. The Old Testament gives us pictures of the table as well. King David talked about the Lord “preparing a table for him in the presence of his enemies” in Psalm 23. David also made sure that he kept his oath to his best friend, Jonathan, as he invited Jonathan’s son, Mephibosheth to dine with him at the “king’s table” after Jonathan had been killed. On Sunday Pastor John encouraged us to look at the table as being made up of four legs, each leg representing a practice of the original church that will strengthen our families today. The first leg of the table is consistent meal times together. In today’s hectic world families often feel they are unable to eat meals together, but we should make every effort to eat at least one meal together as a family. In Acts 2:46 Luke talked about the apostles “breaking bread” together on a daily basis as the early church was forming. Meals can be a time to share what has gone on during the day, to plan for future events, or simply reconnect as a family. The second leg of the Christian family table is Biblical teaching and thinking. The early believers “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching” in Acts 2:42. When we are eating together at the table, we should remember that Jesus said that man does not live on bread alone, but should feed also on the word of God. We should take the opportunity to learn about God together as we are gathered around our table, whether through examining a verse of scripture or even doing a family devotion once a week. This is a prime time to teach our children that God is not reserved for Sunday mornings, but that He is to be a vital part of our everyday lives. The third leg of our table is focusing on meeting needs instead of meeting wants. In Acts 2:45, the early Christians “sold their property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.” Today’s society is hyper-focused on “what’s in it for me?” and “just get what you want.” As we are together around the family table we should look to find ways to shift the focus from our wants to others’ needs. Volunteering as a family at the City Mission or helping a neighbor shovel snow are ways to turn our focus from our wants to the needs of others. The fourth leg of the table is the ritual of praise and prayer. Take time to focus on the good things that have happened throughout the day, praising God for how He has worked in your life. Don’t be afraid to have an attitude of celebration when your family is praising our awesome God. Pray for specific families in our church at meal times. Perhaps take the church directory and choose a different family each night, or focus on one family over a longer period of time. The important thing is to do it together on a consistent basis; you’ll be amazed at how you will grow.

February 1, 2011

Sacred Pathways

2011-01-17T16:36:00.000-05:00

When we give our lives to Christ, the Holy Spirit enters in and helps us to see God’s hand in our life. Sometimes God seems very close and other times He seems so far away. We take stock in our life and our behavior but can’t figure out why we don’t feel as close to God as other Christians. We may even try to mimic other Christian’s patterns of life by singing more in worship, joining a Bible study, or taking up a cause… but we still can’t figure out why we don’t feel closer to God. Amongst a host of possible reasons why we have this kind of experience please consider this; perhaps we are trying too hard to be like other Christians, but we are not approaching God the way He personally designed us to get close to Him. This is what we will be looking at on Sunday during the service.

January 17, 2011

Stinkin' Thinkin'

2011-01-12T17:33:00.001-05:00

God has given us the responsibility to manage the things He has entrusted to us. The first things we may think we have to manage are our time, our money, and our material resources. But how often do we think to manage our thought life? The bible teaches, "As a man thinks in his heart, so he is." Since more than just a few of us battle negative thoughts about ourselves, God, and others, could this be a result of not managing our thought life properly? Are we victims of "Stinkin’ Thinkin’?"

January 12, 2011

A View from the Pew

2011-01-11T17:29:00.001-05:00

How Does God Honor His Promises?
Adapted by Heather Moran from Pastor John's message on January 9, 2011

I am a planner by nature and will often plan out (usually well in advance) how an event “should” happen. I know that I have a difficult time when reality does not match my assumptions or expectations of how the event is “supposed” to happen. On Sunday, Pastor John talked about how we, as Christians, have expectations of how God is supposed to work in our lives. When our expectations of how we think God should work does not match up with reality we lose on two levels. The first level of loss comes as we suffer through whatever our reality is for the time being. The second level of loss comes as our faith gets shattered because God did not do what we thought He should. Even mature Christians can wrestle with their expectations of God not being met. However, we should rest assured that God does indeed honor His promises, even if it is not the way we think He should. The key to seeing how God honors His promises can be found in Isaiah 40:31, which says “but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” When most of us read this verse we envision the eagle soaring high above the earth, and we want to be that eagle. I often think of this verse when I am jogging on the treadmill and hope to run without growing weary. The verse talks of soaring, running, and walking, but we can’t do all three of these things at the same time! The same is true with God honoring his promises. One way that God will honor a promise is that He will miraculously intervene. He could miraculously take us from a situation or remove the situation from us and, when this happens, we are soaring. A biblical example of this would be the Israelites leaving Egypt and crossing the Red Sea. They were hemmed in on both sides, but God intervened and parted the waters. The Israelites were soaring in their faith after this event, like the eagle in our verse. Other times God empowers His people and runs along side them. The life of Moses is an example of God interacting with His people. When Moses rescued the Israelites from Egypt it was not a “quick” miracle like the parting of the waters. Moses and the Israelites worked for their release and God worked right along side of them. God empowered Moses to accomplish the task he was given, to run and not grow weary. Most times, God just does something inside of us and all we have to do is walk. There is no obvious miracle and He doesn’t give us the power to change the situation we are in; but He does something beautiful within us, and we are able to walk with Him. If you put your hope in God, you might soar or you might run, but God always promises that you will walk with Him and not faint. So keep on walking!

January 11, 2011

How Does God Honor His Promises?

2011-01-07T10:36:00.001-05:00

We worship a God who is full of promises for His people. However, we may not always "feel" like He delivers on His promises - especially when we go through hard times. This week we will see how God always makes good on His promises as we look at Isaiah 40:31.

January 7, 2011

How Much Can I Be Worth?

2010-12-30T08:10:00.000-05:00

Welcome to a new year of enjoying God’s faithfulness. This week we will see that our God is faithful to His promises of seeking us out and providing a way for us to enjoy Him forever. The passage that we will be studying is I Corinthians 6:19 & 20.

December 30, 2010

The Anthem of Angels

2010-12-21T13:38:00.000-05:00

This week we finish our series "A different kind of Christmas" by looking at singing. How many religions are there that have full blown singing of their faith? No one comes even close to Christianity's music. Why is that?

December 21, 2010

...Love Endures All Things

2010-12-17T10:15:00.000-05:00

This week we continue our mini-series, "A Different Kind of Christmas” by looking at scripture passages that we ordinarily don't think about at Christmas time. The passage we are exploring is 1 Corinthians 13:7, and the question we are dealing with is "What does 'enduring love' have to do with Christmas?"

December 17, 2010

A View from the Pew

2010-12-16T17:28:00.002-05:00

A Different Kind of Christmas
Adapted by Heather Moran from Pastor John's message on December 12, 2010

As humans we are always looking for ways to move up in the world. A better job, a fancier car, a bigger home, and nicer clothes are all things that we seek to help us move up. But Jesus, our greatest example of love, did not seek to move up, but rather to move down. Jesus, who was one with God, humbled himself to become a man. Not just any man, but a man who would face a horrific death on the cross for all of our sins. Jesus purposefully took a demotion from his position in Heaven with God to fulfill the will of our Heavenly Father. There are times when we too take a demotion in order to be in accordance with God’s will. One example that Pastor John gave in his message on Sunday was the demotions that we take as parents. It all begins with the changes a woman faces in her body as she grows in size and discomfort. The father is not immune to these changes because as the saying goes, “when mama ain’t happy, nobody’s happy.” Financially there is a demotion as they prepare for the arrival of the child with a new room and clothes and toys. When the baby arrives the parents again face a demotion as their lives are no longer their own. They can’t sleep when they want to sleep, and no longer can they just come and go as they please, because now the child and his needs take precedence over their own desires. As the child grows and becomes active in sports or dance or music, the parents again take a back seat and often become a taxi service to make sure the child is in the right place at the right time. Often there is more than one child and events conflict and the parents have to be at different places at the same time. And then there is college and the nest is empty, but so is the wallet, so there is another financial demotion. We accept this demotion as parents because of our love for our children. Parents who take on these sacrifices and demotions end up with a higher level of joy as a family because they are acting on love. Love is costly, but the payout is huge and proliferates as these children then go out into the world. The love that motivated Jesus to come down to earth was costly, so much more costly than our love for our children. But then again the payout was huge, and the world was never the same. As we are in the Christmas season we should look to take a step or two of intentional demotions through acts of service and love. The payout will be huge.

December 16, 2010

A View from the Pew

2010-12-11T13:04:00.003-05:00

A River of Hope
Adapted by Heather Moran from Pastor John's message on December 5, 2010

Sunday’s message was titled “A River of Hope,” and Pastor John made parallels between the functions of an actual river for a deer and the functions of the “river of hope” for us as humans. One of the parallels is that a river for a deer quenches its thirst and refreshes its life. Within this parallel, Pastor John shared a story with us from his childhood. His mother was very health conscious and so growing up he was not allowed to drink soda or other unhealthy beverages. Young John’s father would at times sneak him and his brother some soda as a treat, but for the most part they did not drink any. Once John found a twelve pack of Coca-Cola hidden in a culvert pipe. The day was very hot and, over the course of the next several hours, he drank one can after another to try to satisfy his thirst. By the time he was on the seventh can he was all wired up and was thirstier than he had ever been before. He just wanted to rush home and drink and drink water to quench his thirst. The cola did not satisfy his thirst, but only made him thirstier for what was healthy and good. In life today we are so thirsty for something and often we don’t know what it is. We try to satisfy this thirst in life by filling up with events and friends, by keeping busy or possibly with substances. We do everything except go to the right source, which is God. That nagging thirst we have is our soul longing for God. In John 4, Jesus refers to himself as “living water” and says that whoever drinks this living water will not have thirst again, but will be satisfied. Once you go there your hope begins and your life is changed. As an actual river will satisfy the thirst of a deer, the river of hope will satisfy our thirst as well. What are you thirsty for?

December 11, 2010

A Different Kind of Christmas

2010-12-08T08:07:00.000-05:00

At Christmas time we often hear and expect stories about Mary, Joseph, the magi, or shepherds and angels. However, during this Christmas season, we will look at a different kind of Christmas story. This week we look at Jesus stepping out of heaven to enter planet Earth. In order to get ready for a different kind of Christmas, read Philippians 2:5-11 and ask yourself two questions: “What does this have to do with Christmas?” and “How can this passage help me have more joy at Christmas?”

December 8, 2010

The River of Hope

2010-12-03T10:55:00.001-05:00

Do you remember the last time you felt overwhelmed but then “something” happened? It could be a friend helping you, or perhaps an activity was canceled for one reason or another. All of a sudden you don’t feel so overwhelmed. That “something” that happened can be called hope. We all need it, and God provides it. Today put your hope in God.

December 3, 2010

Love Always Hopes, Always Perseveres

2010-11-24T11:23:00.001-05:00

As we begin to make the transition from Thanksgiving to Christmas we will continue our series of “What’s Love Got to Do with It?” from I Corinthians 13. Today we will see that because of God’s love there is always hope since He perseveres after us.

November 24, 2010

The Four Postures of Thanksgiving

2010-11-16T09:31:00.000-05:00

This week we will take a break from our series of Love in I Corinthians 13 in order to focus on our upcoming Thanksgiving celebration. We will deal with the same question the Psalmist dealt with in Psalm 116:12: "How can I repay the Lord for all His goodness to me?" Can you think of ways you can "repay" the Lord?

November 16, 2010

I've Got You Covered

2010-11-05T11:24:00.000-04:00

Next week we will be looking at the phrase “I got you covered.”
In order for us to get the most out of the message for November 14,
we need to ask “What does this phrase say about God?” and
“What does this phrase say about us?”

How Long?

2010-10-27T10:24:00.001-04:00

When it comes to runners there are two extremes; sprinters and marathoners. One is fast and flashy but quickly over. The other is slower and less sensational, but continues for a long time. When it comes to loving people, we may want to “sprint” short term for serious seconds, but God calls us to be "marathon lovers". This will be seen as we journey through I Corinthians 13:7.

October 27, 2010

The Test For Love

2010-10-22T09:21:00.002-04:00

There are a lot of tests in life; tests in school, tests for driving, even applications for a job can be a test. There is also the Love test. How do you test love? Its not something you can simply do on paper. It takes face to face contact with people. This is our topic for the week as we continue our series “What’s Love Got to Do With It?

October 22, 2010

Love Does Not Have a Short Fuse

2010-10-08T11:04:00.000-04:00

How do you feel around grouchy people? It kind of takes the smile off your face and the music out of your heart. However, when God looks upon us are we doing the same thing to others around us; especially the ones we love? This is our topic for the week as we continue our series "What's Love Got To Do With It?

Friday, October 8, 2010

Love is Not Rude

2010-09-16T10:46:00.001-04:00

When was the last time someone was rude to you? It was probably this week. Rudeness happens to us everyday. It seems to be a way of life in our culture. Now, how often are we rude to others...and don't even know it? That's the topic for this Sunday.

Thursday, September 16, 2010

The Pressure We Don't Feel

2010-08-11T11:40:00.002-04:00

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1-3
Last week we saw that we may think that all the good things we do puts a smile on God's face. However, God looks at the motives behind our actions. If we do good things with impure motives, it all adds up to zero in God's eyes. This week we will see that love involves sacrifice but not all our sacrifice involves love.

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

What's LOVE got to do with it?

2010-07-28T12:08:00.001-04:00

“Love is such a funny thing,
It’s something like a lizard.
It wraps its tail around your heart,
And crawls into your gizzard.”

I don’t know where I first heard those words, but it does remind me that “love” is a very strange and misunderstood word. We use the word “love" to express: great satisfaction (“I love pizza”), romantic attraction (“I love you, baby”), and loyal action (“For love of God and Country”). It’s a word that is used in so many ways. It’s used in songs and to justify wrongs. So what is this thing called love? Through the rest of Summer and early Fall seasons, we will be looking at this thing called “love” during our worship services. The series is called “WLGTDWI: What’s love got to do with it?”

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

WRONG WAY.....ON PURPOSE

2010-06-24T11:43:00.001-04:00

When I go on a trip with Sheree to visit our son Joel and his wife Mary, I like to drive the shortest route in the fastest time. That way, on the return trip, I can see if the speed and distance record can be broken. Sheree is not “wired up” this way. For her, the journey is just as important as the destination. This was hard for me to get used to, but in time, I’ve learned to appreciate some things about our journey and my wife.

Sheree has this habit of, after driving for several hours, wanting to take a “deliberate detour” off the main highway, or, as I would call it, going the “wrong way on purpose”. At first, I hate it! The blood pressure elevates and borderline cardiac arrest sets in. However, after ten minutes of going the “wrong way on purpose”, I discover things like a mom-and-pop restaurant where the entire family, kids and all, “pitch in” and the food is fantastic! Or, I discover the greatest display of wildflowers along the road which gives me ideas on landscaping the yard. The most memorable events occur when I see Sheree’s face light up with each new discovery we make going the “wrong way on purpose”. I’ve learned things about her and myself during these times. I guess I just need to trust her judgment a wee bit more when she says “John, let’s get off the road here.”

God has a way of doing that with us as well. We make all these plans and want to accomplish “X” amount of things in the shortest amount of time, but God says, “Let’s take a detour...let’s go the “wrong way on purpose”. If you’re like me, you won’t like it at first. However, I have to tell you - it is on these trips that I’ve learned the most about myself and the heart of God. Going the “wrong way on purpose” still takes some getting used to, but I’m finding it easier to trust.

Thursday, June 24, 2010

REMODELING

2010-05-13T14:34:00.000-04:00

We are currently in the remodeling process at church. Our offices needed work due to leaky roofs and lack of usable space. After plans were presented to the Elders, the remodeling work was turned over to an expert to make it happen. Walls were ripped apart, concrete jack-hammered and garbage thrown out. The process has caused a great inconvenience amongst most of the staff, but it will be worth it. One room at a time is getting fixed up with new, clean carpet, doors, shelving and lighting. The end result will be worth it all!

This whole process is a reminder for me what God wants to do with our lives. He has a plan for us and we have to turn over our lives to the expert, Jesus Christ, who is more than just a carpenter. He then starts the demolition of the old rotten stuff and throws out the garbage. His intention is to have more, clean, usable space. It can feel very inconvenient at times, but as we give Him more and more room in our hearts, the end result will be worth it. The old is gone, the new has come! We will function so much better and enjoy our new environment.

Jesus Christ is more than just a carpenter. He is the master craftsman who specializes in remodeling.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Palm Sunday

2010-03-25T13:30:00.000-04:00

Palm Sunday was the day sheep were led into Jerusalem to be inspected for blemishes before the Passover celebration began. If any blemishes were found, the sheep did not qualify for sacrifice. It is more than just a coincidence that Jesus, the Lamb of God, was entering Jerusalem at the same time. He alone is the only one without blemish, without sin, that could be the sacrifice for our sins.

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Omnipotence

2010-03-11T13:10:00.000-05:00

We’ve all felt powerless at times, especially when things get bad. It’s at those darkest times that I find comfort, knowing I belong to a personal, caring and all powerful God who said that He would never leave me or forsake me. It’s good to belong to someone who is Omnipotent. To whom do you belong?

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Good News or Bad News?

2010-03-04T17:06:00.000-05:00

I’m a very private person. Even though I spend most of my time in the public arena, I am very select on what I wish to reveal of myself. To one degree or another we all value a certain amount of privacy. So, how do you feel when you find out that someone knows everything about you?

Psalm 139 reminds me that God is “familiar with all my ways”. Nothing is kept secret from Him. Is this good news or bad news? Ultimately it reminds me to “come clean” with God, ask for forgiveness and receive His blessing. If I have hurts and pains that no one else knows about, He still knows about them and wants to comfort us. If I get tired of doing good things for people and no one else notices...He still knows about them and will reward me.

So, even though I like to keep some things private, I’m glad it’s not private from God.

Thursday, March 4, 2010

How Well Do You Know God?

2010-02-25T12:09:00.003-05:00

I do not remember the name of the man who said this to me, but his words still ring in my head: "How well do you know God?" In all honesty, I don't know Him as well as I should; I'm sure neither do you. That's one reason we are resuming our series "The God of Today" which will focus on God being omniscient. Let's prepare for this Sunday by again reading Psalm 139.

Thursday, February 25, 2010

The God of Today Continues!

2010-02-24T17:28:00.001-05:00

Pastor John is back this Sunday and is continuing his message series on "The God of Today."

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

God Has a Dream for You

2010-02-10T10:02:00.006-05:00

By Pastor Jay Richmond

Do you dream anymore? Remember when we were kids, we used to dream all the time? Do you ever wonder what God’s desire for you is? Has life somehow taken away what you thought was important. I know as a pastor, I often get caught up in the more mundane things of life and ministry. It can be easy to forget the dream or passion God had given to us. How can we get it (the dream) back? Or maybe you never felt you have a call on your life. How can we find it? I believe God has a dream for you. But it takes experiencing God’s presence, understanding His perspective and trusting the Lord to work it out in His time. Would you join us Sunday as we consider how God work through Joseph’s life? To prepare read Genesis 37 – 50. And why don’t you ask God to show you His desire for your life.

Matthew 7:7-11 (NKJV)
7 "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.
9 Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?
10 Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent?
11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

February 10, 2010

The Story of Joe Jacobson

2010-02-04T14:43:00.003-05:00

Pastor John will be away for the next couple of weeks and Pastor Jay Richmond will be preaching February 7, 14, and 21. He will be leading us through the life of Joseph from the book of Genesis.

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Are We Missing Something?

2010-01-29T14:04:00.001-05:00

As we have been journeying through our series “The God of Today” we saw from Psalm 86 that God is eager to listen to our prayers. However, sometimes it seems that God does not want to answer us. Is this an accurate assumption? Are we missing something? Are there some things that we do on our end that prohibits God from answering? This will be the subject of this Sunday’s study at our worship service.

Friday, January 29, 2010

OMNIPRESENCE part 2

2010-01-22T10:32:00.004-05:00

We are in a series called “The God of Today” which looks at some of the attributes of God. Currently, we are studying the fact that we serve an omnipresent (everywhere present) God. Last Sunday we saw that he is an eyewitness to everything we do. This week we will see that He is a constant companion wherever we go. What does this mean? What makes a great companion? What makes God a great companion? Think about it.

Friday, January 22, 2010

OMNIPRESENCE

2010-01-13T14:35:00.002-05:00

God is everywhere. If we let that thought sink in, it should affect us in some way. For instance, He is an eyewitness to everything we say and do. In your life, is that good or bad? Read Psalm 139 this week and try to discover what God being everywhere at once (omnipresent) could mean in your life.

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

WE WELCOME THE McCLAINE'S!

2010-01-10T11:13:00.007-05:00

Today we welcome Steve and Jen McClaine as our new part-time Worship Leaders! For some time now, we have been looking for someone to fill the postition of Worship Leader, and now we have found two to do the job. Steve grew up at Princetown and has vast musical talent and abilities. His wife Jen, along with her own vocal talents, is a skilled administrator, making the couple a perfect fit for the position. Be sure to introduce yourself to the McClaines if you don't know them already, and please pray for them as they embark in their ministry at Princetown.

Sunday, January 10, 2010

DONNIE JEWETT VIDEO

2010-01-03T17:38:00.003-05:00

Here's the video of Donnie Jewett's life as shown at his funeral on December 31:

Sunday, January 3, 2010

HOMEWORK FOR JANUARY 10

2010-01-03T13:16:00.003-05:00

Here's some homework to get you ready for next Sunday's sermon (January 10):

Read Psalm 86 once a day, each day, this coming week.

As you read it, think on these three questions:
1. What can you find out about yourself from this Psalm?
2. What can you find out about God from this Psalm?
3. How can this Psalm help you in the way you view your trouble in life?

Sunday, January 3, 2010

The God of Today

2009-12-30T11:46:00.005-05:00

The God of today is a Faithful God. (Always was, always is, always will be). 2009 was one of the toughest and most blessed years I can remember. It was tough to me in that I had too many funerals for too many friends: George Gifford, Tim Bush, Chuck Payne, Ted Barnes. It was a blessed time in that I saw God in action during this time of testing. Faith was strong, comfort was real, hope was a sure thing, and joy was real in those who were passing on and those who remained behind.

On this last day of 2009 I bury my friend Donnie Jewett. His body fell apart but his faith and the faith of his family grew stronger as the end drew near. People, myself included, were touched and encouraged to grow in our faith as we watched our God “never letting go” of Donnie and his family, even when God escorted Donnie to glory. We end the year with this memory and blessing: The God of Today is faithful to His children. We begin the year with this certain hope: The God of Today is faithful to His children.

Thursday, December 31, 2009

GLORY TO GOD IN THE LOWEST!

2009-12-16T09:58:00.005-05:00

“How low can you go?!?” were the words shouted out by our M. C. at a wedding reception while we were doing the limbo. I was disqualified rather early - I just don’t bend. But there were others who could get really low. In the challenge of limbo, the lower you go, the bigger the applause. “How low can you go?”

The Bible tells us that when God came to earth in Jesus, He went as low as one could go. It wasn’t a game. It was a matter of life and death. The mission for our salvation was underway. We see in the book of Philippians, Chapter 2, that the Son of God emptied Himself of the prestige and rights of heaven to become a diaper-wetting baby born in a manger. The Christian writer C. S. Lewis stated that for God to become a man would be like you giving up what you have to become a slug.

Remember that as the angels shouted “Glory to God in the Highest”, Jesus went the lowest to secure the prize - our salvation. This Christmas season, give Him the applause He deserves while you shout “Glory to God in the Lowest.”

Wednesday, December 16, 2009