Why do we go to church? The Covid shutdowns showed us all that internet church can be inspiring and convenient. And that there are churches far away from home that have even better music and messages we can comfortably watch online so why do we need to be bothered with the authentic local church? Then again we have had TV Church available for over 50 years and that didn’t fully meet our needs. Is there more to church than being a s...

Some people just get us so angry that we want to cause them to feel some of the pain and problems they have caused us. We might even stay awake at night planning what we are going to do to get our revenge.  I Corinthians 13:5-6 lists five reasons why Christians are to choose to forgive instead of retaliate because love: "... does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs...

Last week we saw in 1 Corinthians 13:4 that “Love is not Proud.” And this Super Bowl Sunday is a great weekend to focus on how pride can keep us from God’s best for our lives. Repeatedly the Bible shows that God hates sinful pride. 1 Peter 5:5 says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Humility honors God and makes us better team players. Humility is one of the most important qualities we need to model and teach k...

Even when Life is Terrible True Love is Patient and Kind. Yes, there are a lot of problems in the world. Yes, you are probably hiding behind your mask. No, you don’t get to be unloving and unkind just because you are frustrated or even angry. Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the Apostle Paul gives us a list in 1 Corinthians 13 of what Christian love is supposed to look like: “Love is patient, love is kind....” 1 Corinthian...

While many of us may feel helpless to change our current circumstances, the one thing we can work on changing is ourselves. We’ve got a new year to fill in a blank calendar with obligations and opportunities that could help improve the quality and value of our lives. Hope, true success and real lasting change comes from the Lord. Jeremiah wrote in the book of Lamentations that our faith for today and hope for tomorrow is in the Lor...

Maybe you aren’t feeling the Christmas spirit yet since this year there aren’t many Christmas gatherings, nor programs to attend and there currently isn’t any snow on the ground. But we want to help you be filled with the Holy Spirit of Christmas. It is worthwhile to take notice of how the Holy Spirit was involved in the Christmas story, to see the ways the Holy Spirit is involved in your life story, and to enjoy the fruit He bring...

Most of us are very familiar with the narrative of the Biblical Christmas story. Have you ever considered how those in the story that God used greatly were busy doing things that pleased God and that they were willing to change their plans to answer God’s call in their lives? It may actually be easier this Covid Christmas to find time to ponder and worship Jesus since there are very few activities to attend. Tune in this weekend by...

This Christmas what is it that we are expecting?  Is it gifts, a chance to relax with a couple extra days off?  With the pandemic many will be missing traditional gatherings, meals with extended families, but is there something more, something greater we should be expecting this year?  What would happen if instead of expecting these things, we looked for and expected to meet Jesus, how would that change us?  In this message we will...

We start the Christmas message series this weekend with the amazing story of Zechariah and Elizabeth (parents of John the Baptist) as God was preparing the stage for Jesus to be born into the world. While Zechariah and Elizabeth were in the middle of God’s important plans they were also inconvenienced and left wondering what was God up to. Listen as Pastor Chris from River Rock Church shares “When God’s Plans Leave You Speechless” ...

The calendar says we are scheduled to have a day to gather and be full of thanksgiving but the medical experts want us to keep to ourselves. In many ways this year has been full of disappointment and while we may not feel thankful, we can find hope and encouragement through the Scriptures. Listen to Pastor Chris’ message this Sunday from Psalm 116 to hear how God can help you walk with the Lord even when you are faced with sickness...

 There is so much discouragement these days. Fear of sickness, job insecurity, political chaos, relationship troubles, social isolation, boredom, disappointment, ungodliness and so many other things can make us feel discouraged. With God’s help, when we turn our focus from our own trials and look toward the people and priorities God cares about we will often feel encouraged and become encouragers. This week Pastor Chris Teien from ...

Some people never fail at anything because they avoid trying everything. Experiencing failure can help train you to be more successful. When we learn from our mistakes it can give us wisdom and confidence to succeed in the future. Sometimes our failures are inconvenient or embarrassing and other times our failures can destroy relationships and affect our careers. Jesus can help us find forgiveness and healing from past failures. Go...

Every moment of every day we make choices that can affect our future and our satisfaction with life. Sometimes the temptation comes from our own self will and sometimes our evil adversary the devil tempts us to sin. The good news is that those who are in Christ Jesus will never face a temptation they can’t escape, and that God is pleased with us when we pass the test and make the right choices. Listen as Pastor Chris Teien from Riv...