CONCORD

The “new normal” for our lives is starting to settle in. For some, cabin fear is setting in. For others fear has become the norm. For those in leadership and the healthcare industry they start the day wondering what this day will hold. Many people are having an internal debate about the goodness of God, whether this is God’s judgement or how a loving God could allow all of this suffering. I think most people are just tired of our new normal. So, let me offer some words of enc

In the uncertainty today it is easy to allow our minds to bounce from thought to though, tv station to tv station, worry to worry. Be Still. (Psalm 48:10) For some, those are the most difficult words. You are more comfortable moving and bouncing from one task to another. Maybe, talking is your thing, and you are more comfortable moving from one conversation to another. Maybe you move from one fear or anxiety to another. The call of the psalmist is to be still in the presence

There is much news circulating today and most of it is focused on the Corona Virus. Topics range from numbers infected to the economic impact. None of the topics seem to bring any hope, just more uncertainty and fear. As we start a new day, I want to encourage to pause and focus on Jesus for a moment. Remember His love and care for you. This is true when life is smooth and you feel in control and when life is chaotic and you don’t know what will happen next. God has not chang

The church is alive and well. The church has never been about a gathering place, but the people of God. In recent days I have heard so many stories of our church family being the church. Phone calls to say, 'how are you doing’. Encouraging text Messages and emails. Sunday school classes being held via FaceTime. Even some good nature ribbing. I have received phone calls about how to minister to our church family and to our community. Pastors calling pastors just to make sure e

In the Bible people with needs always seem to end up in the presence of Jesus. Today as the shut down of our country starts to settle in there are many people who find themselves in need. Luke 8:40-56 introduces us to two such people. Jairus a ruler comes to Jesus begging him to come touch his daughter who is about to die. Jesus immediately begins to go to Jairus home. While on their way an unnamed woman with an issue comes up from behind believing that if she can just touch

Church, There is much fear, anxiety and uncertainty in our culture. We have been cast into uncharted waters and we are making decisions as we go. Our current time has demonstrated in a great way our need for God every day. As a leader I ask for his wisdom to know what the next step is. We make decisions, uncertain of the outcomes, but prayerful that we have heard the voice of God. One of our recent decisions was to cancel all activities for the week of March 15, including in

We are not currently able to do all that the new church did. It would not be wise to "break bread" with one another. I do see an opportunity for something like a soup kitchen in the days ahead though. I have heard of churches doing drive through communion with prepackaged communion cups and bread. This really is not necessary. Communion is symbolic in nature and is designed to call us to remember the work of Jesus. The New Testament does not specify how often this should be d

The events of recent days have caused churches everywhere to become innovative while staying true to the mission of Christ. Online services, Facebook live devotions, emails, drive-in movie style services, video conference Sunday school classes and lots of phone calls and text messages have become the means of ministry. Down through history the methods of sharing the gospel and ministering to God’s people have adapted to the time and circumstances of history. Our time is no di

The reality of this life altering time has begun to settle in and people are developing new rhythms in life. The question begins to arise, how should the Christian respond? I was reading this morning in Acts 3-4 where Peter and John are used by God to bring healing to a lame man. The religious leaders of the day were not happy about their preaching in the name of Jesus. Peter and John spent a night in jail, but not before seeing 5000 people saved. Then they are brought before

There is a lot of fear in our world right now. The Corona virus has had a massive global impact. Stores are out of hand sanitizer, Clorox Wipes and masks. Italy has shutdown schools, transit and many stores. In the US parades, sporting and entertainment events are being canceled, schools have been closed. How do we not live in fear? In the Sermon on the Mount found in Matthew 6, Jesus asked how many people could increase their height by worrying. Obviously, no one can.