Category Archive

This summer, I have been consolidating two houses full of stuff into one. It has been a real chore. But it has also been an emotional experience. I have had to let go of long treasured items because I just do not have the space. So, I wondered. What does the Bible have to say about decluttering, organizing, and getting rid of “stuff”? The first lesson I came across was from Matthew 6:19-21 when Jesus spoke to a crowd of people. He definitely spoke about our “stuff” and not letting it be a top priority in our lives. “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart … Read More

Did you know that the number one epidemic in our society today is loneliness? I talk with people who appear well grounded and “happy” but share with me their pain of loneliness and disconnection. While common definitions of loneliness describe it as a state of solitude or being alone, loneliness is actually a state of mind and spirit. Loneliness causes people to feel empty, alone, and unwanted. People who are lonely often crave true connection with others. I like to play Legos with my boys. We start with a kaleidoscope of shapes, sizes, and colors of plastic pieces on the floor. As we connect each piece of plastic, we build a new creation. 21 The whole building is joined together in him, and it grows up into a temple that is dedicated to the Lord. 22 Christ is building you into a place where God lives through the Spirit. Ephesians … Read More

Well, it still feels like summer, but we are beginning the activities of fall! Has anyone told the heat that football has started? With my boys in football and my getting more involved in the community, I will meet many new people and discover more about being part of this community. Being an “outsider” to Alvord, I have a unique perspective. To be honest, I can feel awkward. I often feel like I am an intruder. First and foremost, show sincere love to each other. Love makes caring relationships possible. Be hospitable (sociable) without complaining. But take care to honor the multifaceted grace of God and serve another with whatever gift you have been given. 1 Peter 4:8-10 One day, Bonnie invited the boys and me to go with her to a high school baseball game. She picked us up, walked with us to the field, and sat with us. … Read More

My guys were complaining that summer is almost over. “Why does summer go so fast and school time lasts forever?” I did not get into a discussion of how many seasons a school year encompasses. But I did explain that good times are easy while school requires more of our attention, focus, and endurance. As adults, we too can often experience that the good times pass quickly while difficult periods seem to linger. While no one likes to experience hard times, both situations are a part of our lives. In fact, we often learn more during difficult times than the easy. Quolet (author of Ecclesiastes) wrote: “There is a time for everything…a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance… God has made everything fitting in its time, but has also placed eternity in their hearts…” Ecclesiastes 3:1-4 (11a) While our … Read More

God has created us to be wired this way–to live, not by certain instincts, but rather by finding our identity in something. We want to find out what our meaning and purpose is, and this drive makes us eager to search for that missing puzzle piece. What we place our hope in will set the direction of our lives. We can have hope in many things, such as a dream, a location or even a person. This can shape not only the direction of our actions but also who we become as a person. We pour our time and energy into whatever we are seeking, and all we want is for it to deliver. However, how easily we find that the things we grasp for and place our hope in fail us. Instead of finding peace and security, we face neediness and disillusionment. This is because we are anchoring our … Read More

But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 19:14 Vacation Bible School is in full swing.  We are celebrating “Heroes.”  We are all called together to serve God. The first day of VBS, we had over 40 children to attend, and are looking for more as the week progresses. A full update next week! Blessings Pastor Carol

This week’s devotion is taken from “Experience Hope Through His Presence ~ Jesus Today” Author of Jesus Calling, Sarah Young. “You can be joyful in the knowledge that I am near. When a man and a woman are deeply in love, they often bring out the best in each other. Just being near the beloved can soothe irritations and increase happiness. I am the Lover who is always nearby—unseen yet tenderly present. I can soothe your frustrations and fill you with Joy as you tune into My loving Presence. One way to do this is the thank Me for My continual Presence and My constant Love. When circumstances are getting you down, turn your attention to Me and consider the great Love I have for you. Rejoice!”

31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32) Tuesday was Independence Day—the day we celebrated how free we are in the U.S. But are we really free? Just look around: Bitter partisanship and anger and bitterness—is that freedom? The constant struggle to have more money and stuff—is that freedom? The fear of death that leads people to spend whatever possible just to stay alive a little longer—is that freedom? Here’s something we need to understand: You can live in the U.S. and still not be free. You can be free and still not be free. We think that the more we can do what we want, the freer we are. We say: “It’s a free country, so I can do whatever I want!” Do … Read More

Independence Day:  Our Christian Heritage The Birth of a Nation For over 235 years, America has been blessed as the longest, ongoing Constitutional Republic in the history of the world. These blessings are not accidental, they are blessings of God. This is evident as we look at the turmoil in other nations and contrast that to the stability we see in America. Preserving American liberty depends first upon our understanding of the foundations on which this great country was built, and then it depends on preserving the principles on which it was founded. On July 2, 1776, Congress voted to approve a complete separation from England. Two days later, the early draft of the Declaration of Independence was signed. Four days later, members of Congress took the document and read it out loud from the steps of Independence Hall, proclaiming it to the city of Philadelphia, and afterward, they rang … Read More

Celebrate Celebrate good times, come on (Let’s celebrate)Celebrate good times, come on (Let’s celebrate)There’s a party goin’ on right hereA celebration to last throughout the yearsSo bring your good times and your laughter tooWe gonna celebrate your party with youCome on now… CelebrationLet’s all celebrate and have a good time… This Kool and the Gang song reminds us to take time to celebrate. Believe it or not, Quolet, author of Ecclesiastes, reminds us of the same call to celebrate. Even though this book declares all our striving is vanity, it also offered the realization that the best part of our lives is to eat, drink, and enjoy the fruit of our labor with the loved ones around us. If you’ve been working hard and need a reminder that it’s okay to take some time off this summer, read Ecclesiastes. Then get up and celebrate good times! Blessings,Pastor Carol Hate Hurts. … Read More