special feature by Pastor’s wife, Diane Scallon Our whole culture is leaning toward individualism. We want what we want, we do what we want, and we seek what we want. How rarely do we come across people who genuinely care about what others want, do what others desire, or seek the best for others? What… Continue reading Dissecting Unity
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Do You Love Your Church?
Many of us who are married enjoy fond memories of first meeting our spouse, spending time together, growing to know each other more, and being knocked off our feet with the overwhelming sensation of a particularly new feeling: one of enjoyment, of happiness, of intrigue, of longing, and of excitement. At some point, we were… Continue reading Do You Love Your Church?
Grieving Forward
We received news yesterday of the loss of a beloved church member and dear sister in Christ. Many of us are well acquainted with the heartache of death and the ongoing struggle with grief. Yet, the pain is real, like an emotional punch in the gut that leaves us gasping for air. Death is a… Continue reading Grieving Forward
These Ancient Words Speak Life Today
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. -James… Continue reading These Ancient Words Speak Life Today
Life is NOT About Us!
special feature by Pastor’s wife, Diane Scallon What does it mean to be self-focused? Selfish? Prideful? Self-centered easily describes what it means to be self-focused, where people are so concerned with their own interests or well-being, that they often forget how to care about others. How is your life self-focused? There are ways that we… Continue reading Life is NOT About Us!
Get Back Up When You Stumble
The turning of the new year is a great time for review and self-examination. Another 365 days have gone; what do we have to show for it? There may be pride from success, or guilt over insufficient accomplishments. Both of these often serve as catalysts for New Year’s resolutions – either goals for further accomplishment,… Continue reading Get Back Up When You Stumble
The God Beyond Us Has Become the God Among Us
Have you ever stopped to consider what defines God? Most people have a basic conceptualization of who God must be. If He is God, then He is eternal; He has no beginning or end. He is the all-powerful Creator of all things; He brought the universe into existence. He knows everything. There’s nothing He cannot do. He… Continue reading The God Beyond Us Has Become the God Among Us
The Forgotten Meaning of Christmas
Are you familiar with Jesus’ parable about the four soils? I have been thinking much lately about the thorny soil, on which the seed started to grow but was “choked out” by the thorns. Jesus later explains what the thorns represent: “And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go… Continue reading The Forgotten Meaning of Christmas
Stress, Anxiety and Depression
Start Building Resilience this Seasonspecial feature by Pastor’s wife, Diane Scallon Over the last few years, studies and scholars have shown that stress, anxiety, and depression have skyrocketed. There are many stressors, as well as the increasingly popular word, “triggers”. The ADAA (Anxiety and Depression Association of America) states, “Everyone experiences stress and anxiety at one time… Continue reading Stress, Anxiety and Depression
Communion “Resolutions”
Guilt. The recollection of failure and inadequacy. Recognizing that we fall far short. Shame from being plagued repeatedly by the same sin that we have previously resolved to forsake once-and-for-all. The feelings of defeat and despair. Desiring help… but not exposure. The opportunity to examine ourselves when we participate in the Lord’s Supper, or Communion,… Continue reading Communion “Resolutions”