“Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name.” – Psalm 30:4Each week that we meet together as a locally-gathered body of Jesus Christ, we sing songswithin the worship service. This seems normal if you have grown up within the church, but quite odd if unfamiliar with Christian church services. Why singing?! Music is found in every culture, both globally and historic...  Read More

       We were driving as a family, heading south as the sun began it’s glorious ascent from the horizon on the east. Our home is tucked neatly in amongst strong, solid oaks and rich, healthy maples, so we rarely see the sunrise as a family. Perhaps the beauty and glory that God intended the sunrise to display has not yet been lost on our children through that bane of sinful men, familiarity. May ...  Read More

       Rene and I were walking through “The Garden”, this morning as we read of Esauafter Jacob leaves for Paddam-aram. (Genesis 28:6-9) Esau had turned his back onhis “Birth-right”. He no longer could receive the Blessing, just as God had foretoldto Rebekah. The older would serve the younger. The blessing is singular and travelsin one seed. Even in a set of twins. It cannot be split. There is one...  Read More

These days it seems impossible to avoid Artificial Intelligence (AI). Every time you use a computer and every time you call a company for information or help, you encounter some form of AI seeking to make life “easier.” The reality is not always what we perceive as “easier.”I received a 1099-R form reporting some income. I could not find any record that it was deposited into our checking account, ...  Read More

During Christmas a few weeks ago, I was reminded of the beauty and reality of being united with Christ. The Apostle Paul uses the supporting phase being “In-Christ”, and this phase is found over 90 times in the New Testament, it is such an important theme. I also realize that my finite mind cannot fully understand or comprehend the depths of this amazing and glorious truth. Union with Christ is th...  Read More

Repeatedly in the Bible the people are called to remember the wonders of the Lord. Memorials were made and names of places were changed to be ever-present reminders of the faithfulness of Yahweh. The Passover was celebrated generation after generation to teach and retell the deliverance of the Israelites out of bondage by the hand of God so that no generation would forget.“I will remember the deed...  Read More

“Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name, worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness.”-Psalm 29:1-2In Psalm 29, David’s hymn of praise to the Lord is a call for all of creation, including the angels (heavenly beings), to place glory where it belongs…with the Lord. As a demonstration of the Lord’s awesome power, Da...  Read More

The season of Advent is upon us. We often find ourselves in hopeful anticipation of all of the gatherings, traveling, gift giving and receiving, and favorite family traditions. With all the hustle and bustle we can easily forget why we’re doing what we’re doing and who are we to be focused on the most. Reminders to look to again to Jesus are needed for us all.In Luke 7, John the Baptist, hearing o...  Read More

As we walk through the Garden this week, we continue to tarry in one of our favorite and oldest corners of His creation. In the busy parts of our lives, we often see pictures of plants that are ancient like the giant Sierra Sequoias and pass them by without too much thought. But when we really pause amongst these colossal living Ebenezers to consider the ancient nature and the grand reach of these...  Read More

“Let no corrupting talk come from your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion that it may give grace to those who hear.” Ephesians 4:29At the end of chapter four, the apostle Paul writes to the Ephesians that since they are in Christ, they are to no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. He is referring to their old way of life as Gentiles (...  Read More

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”- 1 Peter 2:9One of the hardest things for me to do as a follower of Jesus Christ is to daily “see” the things that are unseen and to try and remember them every hour of every day - to be a walking wor...  Read More

“When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations at it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.Of this gospel I was made a minister ac...  Read More