Many of us watched in horror as Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris was burning this last week. There are multiple reasons we felt sad and helpless that an 800 year old building halfway across the world was burning. One was a magnificent structure of artistic, historical, cultural, and religious significance was in danger of being destroyed. Another was the feeling of loss that a building built in order to point to the holiness and splendor of God was in peril. I think Easter week speaks to both of these issues.

Preparation is the key to success! This sounds like a motivational speech given by a teacher, boss, coach, or even before a big night out. We all want to be prepared for important moments in life. For the big test. For the meeting with a key client. For the championship game. In fact, it is some of our nightmares to be unprepared and unable to succeed in the moment we are called on to execute. God prepares us in the Christians life for success in many ways.

I’m at the Pacific Southwest Conference Celebration conference in Walnut Creek this week. It is great spending time with people from our denomination. What is even better is spending time in worship with people at The Rock.

I’m envious of those who follow the Boy Scout Motto to “BE PREPARED which means you are always in a state of readiness in mind and body to do your DUTY.” Many of us live our lives responding to life’s issues, problems, and crisis on the fly rather than being prepared for anything at any time. The Apostle Paul addresses this specifically at the end of the book of Ephesians.

Weakness is not thought of as a positive personal trait in our society. Most of the time, people are expected to be strong. “She is a strong woman.” “Stay strong.” “They can get through this trial, they are strong.” The major problem with this is that often when we need strength the most, we feel weak and feeble. The Bible says that this may not be such a bad thing.

We are met with a daily dose of injustice every time we look at the news. This week America was mesmorized by the “Operation Varsity Blues” scandal. The root of the scandal is wealthy parents using unjust, shameful, and illegal use of their money to get their children into elite colleges. The FBI unearthed a scheme involving college administrators, coaches, parents, students, and unscrupulous college advisors cheating the system allowing undeserving students to be admitted instead of deserving students.

As Christians we are called to think well, critically, and biblically regarding injustice in our world.

We are met with a daily dose of injustice every time we look at the news. This week America was mesmorized by the “Operation Varsity Blues” scandal. The root of the scandal is wealthy parents using unjust, shameful, and illegal use of their money to get their children into elite colleges. The FBI unearthed a scheme involving college administrators, coaches, parents, students, and unscrupulous college advisors cheating the system allowing undeserving students to be admitted instead of deserving students.

As Christians we are called to think well, critically, and biblically regarding injustice in our world.

I am convinced that the church’s witness to the world is directly influenced by how churches relate to one another. Healthy churches are supportive of the work of all other churches that proclaim Jesus, faithfully teach the Bible, and lovingly make disciples. At The Rock we believe that healthy churches influence communities for Jesus and we desire to support all churches that endeavor this sacred task.

We live in the #metoo era. We live in a time of important, wonderful women’s empowerment contrasted with a horrible culture of sexual abuse and rape. In many ways we throw up our hands and say, “our world is a mess!” Jesus meets us in these times with love, care, and truth. We are equipped by God in the Bible to address all issues in relationships between the sexes.

We just celebrated our national “relationship” holiday, Valentine’s Day. Whether you love or hate Valentine’s Day, it is hard to miss. However you spent Valentine’s Day, may it be a reminder to us that we are in various kinds of relationships with people. We are friends, sons & daughters, moms & dads, husbands & wives, co-workers, neighbors, classmates, teammates, and many more.

This Saturday (Feb. 2) is our annual Super Saturday Service! Our weekly worship service will be a regular service, but on Saturday night. This is a great opportunity to invite people to worship with us before the big game. I’ve put together a Top Ten List counting down why everyone should be there this Saturday night:

This Saturday (Feb. 2) is our annual Super Saturday Service! Our weekly worship service will be a regular service, but on Saturday night. This is a great opportunity to invite people to worship with us before the big game. I’ve put together a Top Ten List counting down why everyone should be there this Saturday night:

I have spent this past week in Denver at our denomination’s (Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC)) annual Mid-Winter meeting. Lori and I were greatly encouraged in a few different areas:

Last Sunday I preached on John 13:34-35 introducing goals for 2019 for The Rock. One of the goals is to love our neighbors as Jesus has loved us. I introduced the goal for each and every person at The Rock… 2-4-6-8 Goal to Love.

At the beginning of every year I preach on goals and vision for the upcoming year. This Sunday I will preach on John 13:34-35 as an encouragement for us to pursue God’s goals and vision for our church. A quick spoiler - it is all about love!

The Rock is a church made up of faithful volunteers. Volunteerism is the core of our church and every member of The Rock is indebted to the service of others. The bottom line is, no volunteers = no church!

As we walk though the week between Christmas and New Year’s may God give you a time of reflection, peace, and new hope in Jesus!

We are fascinated by the future. From endless stories of future exploits and time travel, to personally wondering what our future holds, we can't get enough of pondering the future. The Bible gives us a window into our future as Christians.

Are you stressed yet?! After all, Christmas is just a few short days away. Feelings of stress, anxiety, and even dread can accompany the days leading up to Christmas. My prayer is that Jesus can keep pointing us back to the truths of Christmas in Jesus!

Christmas is a time of celebration and joy. It is also a time to reflect on Jesus in our lives. We reflect in a number of ways.