Welcome to the Resources section of our website. Here you can find information about upcoming events and recent announcements. You can also view the calendar of events, submit a prayer request, listen to a sermon online or download a podcast. Click on a button below for more details. Keep scrolling for a message from Pastor TJ, a special feature from Travis Ziesman and a note from Marian.
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TJ's Message
CONNECTIONS
I have come to the conclusion that God values connections. In fact if I’m honest, I have to admit that I have a lot to learn from God regarding valuing connections to the same degree He does. One of our favorite verses in the Bible speaks of God’s great commitment to connecting with you. “For God so loved the world [for God is so committed to connecting with His created], that He gave his only Son so that everyone who believes in Him will not die but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 paraphrased)
Think about it…in God’s economy, His most precious, most valuable gift (His Son) was not too high of a price to pay so that a connection could be made with us. I wonder… how much am I willing to pay for the cost of connecting?
We witnessed the great joy of connecting during our 150th Anniversary Celebration. My heart was full as I watched the Church reconnect with old friends as well as explore new connections with people they were meeting for the first time. It seems we were all created with a deep need to connect with God and each other.
I read something really profound recently that explores our need to connect. Author Scotty Smith spoke of his journey of learning to personally experience the passionate love of God. As a young boy, he lost his mother suddenly in a car accident. Because of this, he closed off his wounded heart to others—including God. Several years later he received Jesus as his Savior and began to learn the truths of Christianity. Yet his relationship with the Lord in those days was, as he described, “side by side rather than face to face. Important, but not intimate.”
Do you ever feel that way? You talk to the Lord a little bit, read His words in the Bible, but don’t sense a passionate connection with Him like that expressed by the psalmist David in Psalm 63. Scotty suggests ways to overcome the obstacles to intimacy.
God bless you on your journey!
Pastor TJ
Think about it…in God’s economy, His most precious, most valuable gift (His Son) was not too high of a price to pay so that a connection could be made with us. I wonder… how much am I willing to pay for the cost of connecting?
We witnessed the great joy of connecting during our 150th Anniversary Celebration. My heart was full as I watched the Church reconnect with old friends as well as explore new connections with people they were meeting for the first time. It seems we were all created with a deep need to connect with God and each other.
I read something really profound recently that explores our need to connect. Author Scotty Smith spoke of his journey of learning to personally experience the passionate love of God. As a young boy, he lost his mother suddenly in a car accident. Because of this, he closed off his wounded heart to others—including God. Several years later he received Jesus as his Savior and began to learn the truths of Christianity. Yet his relationship with the Lord in those days was, as he described, “side by side rather than face to face. Important, but not intimate.”
Do you ever feel that way? You talk to the Lord a little bit, read His words in the Bible, but don’t sense a passionate connection with Him like that expressed by the psalmist David in Psalm 63. Scotty suggests ways to overcome the obstacles to intimacy.
- Live honestly. Open up to the Lord about the pain of your losses and admit your failures. “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you” (James 4:8; see also 1 John 1:9).
- Ponder and believe the Scriptures about God’s character and His longing for you. “Your lovingkindness is better than life” (Ps. 63:3; see also Ps. 139 and Eph. 1:3-6).
God bless you on your journey!
Pastor TJ
