Mercy - How I really Feel! :-)

I haven't shared any of my music for a long time.  This was written & recorded on a still unreleased album called "Hidden in the Cross" several years ago.  I'm doing the vocals and Kathy Zink is at the piano.  I hope you enjoy!

The Burden of The Eternal

Recently I have begun to experience something I never expected as Pastor.  It's what I call the "Burden of the Eternal."  Only after becoming a Pastor - where it is my duty and calling to constantly think of things from an eternal perspective - did I realize how little I had considered eternity before.  I mean, I thought of it from time to time like anyone does, but more often than not my thoughts were consumed with my family, friends, and career responsibilities.  Now, however, I constantly think of things from an eternal viewpoint.  My priorities are beginning to alter accordingly.  Things that once mattered a lot, seem nearly irrelevant or unimportant now.  Because when the light of eternity shines on them, they are revealed to be cheap imitations of what truly matters.

Additionally, I have been startled to realize that not only was I relatively oblivious to the eternal, most other people are too, whether by choice or circumstance.  Now that my life has taken on new focus and meaning in light of the eternal, the burden and challenge for me as Pastor is to kindly but firmly call others to the same realization of their own eternality and the importance of yielding themselves to Christ.  But I have to be gentle about it.  Such life-changing perspectives can be startling and overwhelming at first.  Only when the Holy Spirit guides us can the "shock" be mitigated.  It is my prayer that God will grant me wisdom to point people Heavenward without scaring them away.  

Once your perspective is changed to the eternal, life takes on new focus and meaning.  Your priorities shift and and you open your heart to the working of Christ.  Will you welcome His presence to change your point of view?  Are you willing to shoulder the "Burden of the Eternal?"

"Living in the Vine"

Listen as Pastor Rick begins a dynamic series that will dig around your roots.  Based on the book "Experiencing God," by Henry & Richard Blackaby and Claude King, "Living in the Vine" will challenge you to know God in a deeper way.

Close

What does it mean to live close to God?  Often we think of this idea as applying to someone else.  We think of it in terms of great saints and Bible characters.  We tend not to think of it as applying to ourselves. 

Yet, this is exactly what God desires and what His Word commands.  We are commanded to “Be holy,” “Live righteously,” “Walk in the Light,” and “Walk by faith.”  All of these things demand that we live close to the Lord.

When we understand this, our natural reaction is to try harder to read our Bibles and pray more, but we soon tire of this just as we do of diets and New Year resolutions.  Why?  Because we are trying to create spirituality in our own strength. 

While Bible reading and prayer are certainly elements of drawing closer to God, these exercises are only part of it.  The most important part is time: time spent in His presence; time just talking to Him; time spent thinking and meditating and learning to know His voice; because He promised if we would draw near to Him, He would draw near to us.

So the real key is not the drawing near that we do, but the drawing near He does: for it is in the secret of His presence where we may abide and in the shadow of the Almighty where we may find rest (Psalm 31:20, & 91:1).

        This week I challenge you to seek out the presence of the Lord.  It may not happen right away, but read that Bible and spend time to draw near to the Lord.  He will honor it!

Five Proofs of the Resurrection

Listen as Pastor Rick draws from a book by Lee Strobel to share five proofs of the resurrection with us.  It is a dynamic and encouraging apologetic.

STUNNED BY GRACE!

Listen as Pastor Rick reminds us of the awesomeness of God's Grace!  You will be encouraged!

Atonement

This message is not one of my best.  I stumbled over my tongue a lot this night.  However, the truth is good and if you'll just look past me to consider the power of the truth, I hope you will be blessed by it anyway! 

Praise for "Busy!"

Wow!  March and April have been busy months!  Two new families, two new babies in our church, and the possibility of a semi-permanent meeting facility on top of all the usual "Pastor things" have made for a busy schedule.  However, all of the things I mentioned above involve direct answers to prayer!  So I am not complaining!  Rather, I am rejoicing! 

You see, we have prayed for new people.  New people have come.

We prayed for the safe arrival of two little babies, one of which faced a rough start.  But both babies are growing healthy and strong.

We have prayed for months and months for a new church facility and things appear promising at this point.  

I do not take such answers lightly.  Looking back across the last 8 weeks, I am  once again "stunned by grace." If you don't know what that means, I encourage you to listen to the message I preached by that same title which will be uploaded here in the near future.  

Suffice it to say, however, I rejoice when I am reminded how greatly God loves us and cares for us.  It is good to look back along the trail from time to time and review where we have been.  Very often, we will be surprised by the perspective we gain as we see God's fingerprints upon our lives.  

I hope you will join me in rejoicing in answered prayer and in the anticipation of great things to come.  Thanks be to our God!