Hey everyone Pastor Matt here, this last Sunday Pastor Ken encouraged everyone with the fact that Jesus is everything. I would like to continue the encouragement through this blog. The
Read moreJesus is EVERYTHING
A better life starts in the heart
Hello, Pastor Matt Here, One thing interesting about this letter to Philemon is that it carried a heavy load. According to Roman law it was within Philemon’s rights to have Onesimus executed
Read moreThe bridge to life
Picture this: A father has to choose between saving a train full of people or saving his only son. His son falls down below the train tracks into the gears
Read moreLast Famous Words
I remember the moment I was preparing to step away from a ministry I had served in for eleven years. It wasn’t easy. Eleven years of memories, relationships, and countless
Read moreThe stuff that dreams are made of
Alongside Casablanca, The Maltese Falcon stands as one of Humphrey Bogart’s most iconic performances. It’s a defining piece of cinema in the film noir genre—a term that originates from the
Read moreFrom Point A to Point B
As Father’s Day approaches, I find myself thinking about my own father. I’ve mentioned before that my memories of him aren’t always the fondest. Still, I often recall what others
Read moreTell Me Who You Hang Out With, and I’ll Tell You Who You Are
Some people come into our lives and leave such a strong impression that their words, their presence, and even their quirks stay with us long after they’ve gone. I had
Read moreALONE
There’s a show we used to watch at home—actually, it’s still on the air—called “Alone”. In it, participants are dropped into the wilderness to survive as long as possible, completely
Read moreA righteous mother, a gutless father and godless children
Hannah’s story is deeply powerful—rich with the elements of a compelling narrative. It features a diverse cast of characters: Hannah, the faithful and righteous woman; Eli, the spineless high priest
Read moreThe inevitability of the Kingdom
In Mark 4:26-29, Jesus addresses a topic He has been teaching on since the start of His ministry: the Kingdom of God. From the very beginning, this was the core
Read moreWhere have all the cowboys gone?
Last Sunday, Pastor Josh spoke about koinonia—fellowship. As I listened, I began reflecting on the broader concept of church. In Greek, the word is ekklesia, and its Hebrew counterpart is
Read moreThe absence of something doesn’t mean something is absent
Last Sunday’s message centered on the resurrection of Jesus—truly the core of our faith. One passage that deeply moved me was John 20, where Mary Magdalene discovers the empty tomb.
Read moreConsequences
There are two events in the days leading up to Jesus’ death and resurrection that I want to highlight from Pastor Ken’s message last Sunday. One involves Jesus entering the
Read moreRemember
There is an epic scene in the 1982 movie Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan. The Enterprise is about to be destroyed because the engine is shut down. Spock goes
Read moreGodliness and contentment
As I was listening to last Sunday’s message I was reminded of my friend Scott Rubin, who passed away two years ago. Scott had a heart transplant at age 35
Read moreTrain to be godly
Physical Training. Those two words give me goosebumps. I have dreaded physical activity for years. I have always admired people who have the stamina and the discipline to train. I
Read moreLife is like a vapor
I am going to turn 60 years old in a few months. As time goes by, I become more and more aware that I am closer to the grave than
Read moreOrder, Order, Order!
I have been blessed because I have been able to travel a lot. I have visited many countries in many continents, and I truly believe this is good. You can
Read moreTo know God and to love God
If you have been reading this blog, you will know I am the proud father of Victoria. I am pretty accurate when I say that our lives (Maria’s and mine)
Read moreA clean conscience, the best pillow
For as long as I can remember, I have always been a nerd. I have never liked sports, but I have loved books and reading since I was a little
Read morePut your life on Drive
A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far, away. . .are the words we read at the beginning of the original 1977 Star Wars movie. Last Sunday’s message made
Read moreJust the end of the beginning
I really enjoyed Pastor Ken’s message from last Sunday. Not that I don’t enjoy the others, but this one touched me deeply because fear of death was what made start
Read moreIt’s a WE thing
It’s a WE thing! “It’s not you, it’s me.” This was George Constanza’s perfect excuse to break up a relationship in the sitcom Seinfeld. I thought of this as listened
Read moreTell it like it is!
Pastor Ken spoke last Sunday about telling the people we love that we actually do. As I was thinking about this, a scene from the famous movie “Fiddler on the
Read moreBe a credit to your family
When I was a professor at university, I had a colleague who had been educated at a private Catholic boarding school run by British nuns. She had some stories about
Read moreHigh apple pie, in the sky hope
“Next time you’re found with your chin on the ground there is a lot to be learned so look around.” That’s the beginning of a song I used to teach
Read moreWe are bad, bad, really, really bad
Last Sunday, Pastor Ken talked about the gift of Christmas. And Christmas, in our Western culture, is about gifts. The idea of gifts is so prevailing that even Jewish people
Read moreThe way you live matters
Francis Schaeffer was a great evangelical theologian who wrote some amazing books in the 20th century. His great merit was that he sought to give a Christian response to the
Read moreDon’t stop believin’!
Few songs are as recognizable as Journey’s Don’t Stop Believin’. Its unmistakable beginning chords instantly make people start moving and even mimicking its famous and contagious guitar riff (I am
Read moreBe thankful, be glad
I grew up in Argentina, a country where people do not usually say thank you. Argentines are known around the world for very unpleasant things. An old saying says that
Read moreChange!!!
If there is one word that sums up Colossians chapter 3 is the word change. I would even say the correct sentiment that Paul is trying to communicate would be
Read moreThe power of forgiving
Do you know why the front windshield is way bigger than your rearview mirror? Because you are supposed to go forward, not backwards! Pastor Ken went on to tell us
Read moreTrue Lies
Frank Abagnale Jr. has been recognized as one of the most successful con men in American history. His history of lying, fraud and deceit began at the age of 16.
Read moreThat’s our God!
One song that I enjoy is an old one, made famous by Sammy Davis Jr. It’s called “I’ve gotta be me.” You can probably imagine what the song is about.
Read moreFrom the warehouse of pain to the fortress of joy
One of my coworkers at a ministry I used to work at once told me “Pain is good.” I was in my twenties so, in disbelief, I told him that
Read moreThere’s no bad weather, only bad gear. So . . .gear up!
When I first came to Montana back in 2010, I was curious to find out how people managed the cold weather in winter. One of the things that I heard
Read moreStick to the Plan
“I love it when a plan comes together!” That was the catchphrase that Coronel Hannibal Smith used every time an episode of “The A-Team” ended. Every episode would start with
Read moreStop it! started with Don’t do it!
Just Stop It started with Don’t do it. If you need something to stop, it is because something is going on. That may sound obvious, but it needs to be
Read moreI’ve got you under my skin
For those of us for whom English is our second language, one of the most difficult things to learn are idioms. You see, people tend to understand words by translating
Read moreUpgraded to Serve
As I listened to Pastor Ken talking about The Twilight Zone last Sunday, 2020 came to mind. That was the year that many of us spent most of our days
Read moreHomeward Bound
I must admit that last Sunday, as I was coming to the end of the message, I choked. When I describe how different it feels now when I come as
Read moreApocalypse Now
Words matter. They have literal meanings but, sometimes, because of our experience, or because of the passage of time, they also carry meanings and associations which add to their significance.
Read morePray, pray, pray!
Pray, pray, pray! Last Sunday’s message was about prayer. As I was thinking about the message, the importance of prayer and all it means, these two words lingered in my
Read moreLove letters
Love letters Last Sunday, we learnt that the letter to the Ephesians is “God’s love letter to humanity.” That made me think about letters. I had a great aunt who,
Read moreLaw and Love
Dun-Dun! I would be surprised if you didn’t recognize this sound clip from the show “Law and Order.” I am amazed when I think I started watching this show back
Read moreLove God. Hate sin
As I was listening to Pastor Ken’s message this Sunday, something he said really made me think. “Love God, hate sin.” In this modern society we live in, we hear
Read moreAll I need is a miracle
I think I stopped listening to music somewhere around 1990. I say this because I find myself listening over and over to the same songs that I used to listen
Read moreTo serve or not to serve: That is not the question
Last Sunday, Jim McCormick challenged us to be willing to serve God and our fellow human beings. He used the sentence “to serve or to be served: that’s the question.”
Read moreThis is life: Cancer
Some words of wisdom from an F-150
What matters most?
“I’m losing the kid, don’t you get it, I’m losing the kid!” I was awakened by someone screaming those words. The date: January 6, 2005, a date I will never
Read moreSincericide!
Sincericide is a word that combines the terms sincerity + suicide. It refers to when a person shares something that will end up killing the relationship. In today’s world,
Read moreI Can See Clearly
One of my favorite songs in the 1970’s was I Can See Clearly Now written by Johnny Nash. It has great lyrics and it has been rerecorded by many other
Read moreSorry Not My God
It is no surprise that some folks chose to question Christianity because they don’t like what God may say about right and wrong. They would rather have a God that
Read moreFaith and Mountains
A great way to define faith is by putting two verbs together; Trusting & Obedience. In the late 1960’s, when I was in Sunday School, we were taught a song,
Read moreDigging Deeper
Reflection: As I reflected on yesterday’s teaching and the discussion of the previous evening with Saturday night’s small group, it occurred to me that our God is the God of
Read moreWhat Do You Invest In?
“We are spirits. That bodies should be lent us, while they can afford us pleasure, assist us in acquiring knowledge, or in doing good to our fellow-creatures, is a kind
Read moreA New Love Language
On July 4th around 11:55 pm, my Dad passed from this life here on earth to a heavenly realm. The two days leading up to that point my sister Nancy
Read moreBig Shoes
I received a few phone calls, concerning my dad’s health, from my mom in Brighton, Michigan. The calls inadvertently let me know to get out to MI because dad did
Read moreBe a Blessing to Others
Here is something to think about. The Old Testament continually mentions to the Isrealites to repent and then they will be blessed. In the Gospels John the Baptist preached to repent.
Read moreGods Love For Lost Things
“Now all the tax -gathers and the sinners were coming near Him to listen to Him. And both the Pharisees and the scribes began to grumble saying, “this man receives
Read moreIt’s All About The Heart
“Pay attention , my child, to what I say. Listen carefully. Don’t lose sight of my words. Let them penetrate deep within your heart, for they bring life and radiant
Read moreSelfish / Selfless
“Don’t be selfish; don’t live to make a good impression on others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself. Don’t think only about your own affairs, but be
Read moreA Look In the Mirror
“I was judging myself by my intentions while the world was judging me by my actions.” Unknown The quote kind of reminds me of the verse in Matthew where Jesus
Read moreInfantilism
An interesting word that describes an adult who continues to act like a child. Growing up is a process and although life is full of great disappointments and great successes
Read moreNew Years Resolution
Choices are EVERYTHING. “Let your yes be yes and your no be no.” (Matt. 5:37) Believe me life is all about relationships. And this year make the right choices to
Read moreThe Question From John the Baptist
In the gospel of John the Baptist from prison sends his disciples to ask Jesus if he is really the one? Jesus response is, let John know everything I am
Read moreThe Art of Solitude
How often do you feel life is living you instead of you living life? When you go to bed at night does your mind keep going with the troubles of
Read moreMaking Tragedy Count
I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with
Read moreTesting or Blessing?
On Sunday Pastor Ken presented us with a question about if something is a blessing or a test. Ken started out with a humorous story of two guys hunting, and
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