Have you ever experienced a complete and total absence of light? On a trip to Montana a couple of years ago, I had the opportunity to visit the Lewis & Clark Caverns. As my tour group wound its way through the natural limestone formations, I mentally replaced my guide’s comments...
Summary In Episode 4 of Reasonable Talk, VBC staff members Amanda Jarvis, Jerod Jarvis, and Pastor Chris Martin talk about how Christians can engage with the news without becoming anxious, angry, or overwhelmed. They explore the difference between news and commentary, why truly “objective” journalism doesn’t exist, and how a...
The short letter of 1 John says a great deal in a short amount of space. John provides a wide range of encouragement, truth, and exhortation. He also provides a lot of clarity about his purpose for writing. In fact, John tells us no less than thirteen times the purpose...
As we come to the end of our study in 2 Timothy, it is a good time to look back at this short but rich letter. We called our series, "The VBC's" as a reminder that the foundational truths Paul is passing on to Timothy for the benefit of his...
One of the defining markers of our church is the variety of ages that enter the building each week to worship together: Grandparents holding infants, high school students singing alongside their younger siblings, and college students engaging with older saints during greeting time. This variety in ages is an answer...
Summary On Episode 3 of Reasonable Talk, Jerod Jarvis, along with Amanda Jarvis and Pastor Chris Martin, interviews guest Brian Sayers, director of Faith Biblical Counseling Center and associate pastor at Faith Bible Church. Brian shares his journey in pastoral ministry and the importance he discovered in Biblical counseling training. Implementing...
In the spirit of reflecting on our “favorite things” this past year, the VBC staff members have shared theirs with you below! We hope you are edified and discover something new to do with your family or implement in the new year! Ben Orchard, Teaching Pastor Books - "John Grisham...
I was awakened between 3 and 4 am one morning this week to the sound of severe wind gusts. A High Wind Warning had been issued the previous day, and I was uneasy when I went to bed, having trouble falling asleep. My concern was founded in personal experience, as...
Christmas is often portrayed as a season of joy, warmth, and peace. Yet for many, it brings sorrow, uncertainty, and even despair. In a world fractured by sin and filled with suffering, the familiar carols, glittering lights, and festive celebrations can feel strangely out of place. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow understood...
Editor’s note: This quarterly "Good to Know" column is meant to provide timely and clear communication to the VBC church body. If you have a suggestion for items you would like to see in this column in the future, please email amanda@spokanevbc.org. VBC's Elder Team Ben Orchard, Chris Martin, Doug...
“If we deny Him, He also will deny us…” This phrase from 2 Timothy 2:12 has often stirred fear in the heart of believers. Is this verse teaching that a moment of weakness (such as denouncing Christ to avoid persecution or questioning our faith while wrestling with unrepented sin) can...
Umbrellas provide protection from the rain and wind, except when they are cheap and not well-made. They blow upward and are rendered useless. We grumble to ourselves that we should have bought a better and stronger one. A cheap umbrella is no match for the winds and torrential rains, just...
If your name appeared in the Bible, what would it reveal about you? If your name appeared in the Bible, what would be the context? If your name appeared in the Bible, what would it say about your faith and character? The Bible contains an incredible number of individual names....
Once upon a time, a long time ago, it was not uncommon for companies to market their wares in brightly colored books of cheap paper called catalogues. It may be a shock to some of you that such a quaint and analogue technique was used by even technologically forward-thinking companies,...
Cromwell, our chief of men, who through a cloud Not of war only, but detractions rude, Guided by faith and matchless fortitude, To peace and truth thy glorious way hast ploughed… John Milton, Sonnet XVI In 1652, a council of ministers gathered with Lord Cromwell to discuss how to approach...
Grace. We all begin at the same place. We all end at the same place. Grace. Our eternal relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ depends entirely upon God’s grace to us. His grace was granted us “from all eternity” (2 Tim 1:9), and "the surpassing riches of His grace in...
The young man who approached me after Sunday’s sermon was sincere in his question. He was quite astute in pointing out the tension in the texts we discussed about godliness in our lives. On one hand, we are instructed to pursue godliness, and on the other hand, godliness is the...
Summary This podcast episode with Pastor Ben Orchard, Pastor Chris Martin, Pastor Caleb Klontz, Ministry Director Jerod Jarvis, and Communications Coordinator Amanda Jarvis discusses the assassination of Charlie Kirk, a prominent Christian evangelist and conservative political advocate, and its impact on the church and broader culture. The panelists reflect on...
The murder of Charlie Kirk has shaken our hearts and our nation. As we try to make sense of this evil, we must look first and foremost to God. This is a time when both theology and God’s presence bring sense and comfort in the face of senselessness and evil....
The following article has been adapted from a piece by Dr. Tim Allchin, pastor and founder of the Biblical Counseling Center, an ACBC certified counseling and training center. We hear it over and over again. When people start training in biblical counseling, they are amazed by the outcome. They see...