In John 6:15-21, we see Jesus walking on water in the midst of a storm while his disciples are frantically rowing. Storms or trials in our life can be totally consuming. They sap our physical and emotional strength, and we become singularly focused on the storm in our lives. Sometimes...
There was an aging Hollywood actress, well past her prime, who was having her photo taken for promotional material. She met with the photographer to review his work and was thoroughly outraged. She said, "These photos don't do me justice!" The photographer replied, "Madame, you don't need justice; you need...
That One Time in LA The death of George Floyd at the hands of law enforcement officers, has drawn the attention of not only our nation, but the world. It ought to draw our attention as well. By every account I’ve seen or heard, this death was inexcusable. For many...
When faced with life’s greatest difficulties, we suddenly become very small before God. Any Christian who has had their life rocked by the tragedy of illness, death, relationship, or financial ruin knows this well. God always gives us a divine perspective when the chips are down—if we are willing to...
On Sunday we looked at the famous call of Christ to invest our lives in the fields of human souls into which we are sent. In these fields we sow and, sometimes, reap. That much is simple. But where to get started? It can be overwhelming, and sometimes guilt-inducing, to...
What do you think the Samaritan woman would have thought of live-streaming worship? Of course, she would not have been able to begin to comprehend such an idea. The closest technology of the day to her at that moment was a bucket tied to a rope to let down into...
Run Fast, Live Fearless. I’d never paid much attention to the slogan on my T-shirt before, but as I was going out the door for a run last week, this caught my attention. Okay, it’s just an athletic slogan on a T-shirt and not too profound. But it caught my...
Holy week, like so many things lately, seems a little muted this year. The shared thrum of collective anticipation is dampened by the necessities of social distancing that lie like an untimely thick snowfall on the Spring of our cultural touchstones. Yet this is as intended. The hand of God...
We find ourselves in the midst of an ongoing crisis that seems to have no end in sight, and over which we have no control. But we are not at the mercy of the Coronavirus; nor are we at the mercy of our government and the restrictions placed upon us....
Our world is changing. In fact, right now, it seems to dramatically change daily. The news continually keeps us informed on the Coronavirus. Somehow it feels like I’ve been here before, it was a different time in my life and different circumstances. In September of 2001, I, like millions of...
“The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” John 3:8 The work of the Spirit of God in the new birth is mysterious,...
“Familiarity breeds contempt.” We have all experienced this with a person, a place, or a job. You started a job with high hopes and great energy. You thoroughly enjoyed the people you worked with and looked forward to arriving every day. But after years of the same old same old,...
On Sunday we looked at a verse that would seem to clearly end all discussion on the matter. In John 1:21 we read, “They asked him, ‘What then? Are you Elijah?’ And he said, ‘I am not.’” However, as several studious saints (including some children, I might add) observed, this...
In the timeless wisdom of that great culinary maven Julia Childs, “With enough butter, anything is good.” This magical ingredient emerges from thin milk as a virtuous solid full of flavor and substance. Flaked cold into a pie crust or melting over fresh bread, butter has earned its place in...
One of our Life Group members described an outing in which she took a tour of an underground cave. After the tour leaders described all the geological features, they told the group that they were going to turn out all the lights so they could experience the full darkness of...
During the Christmas season, Tara and I received many cards, words, and gifts of encouragement from you, our church family at Valley Bible Church. We are encouraged and appreciative by being on the receiving end of such love from you all. But I’d like to turn it around and say,...
It was 1978, and I was walking out of a college class to my car. I found a note tucked under my windshield with this verse written on it, "Finally brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good...
The Joy Of Advent Ben Orchard The call to rejoice is found so many times in scripture that it’s hard to count them all. From the Old Testament to the end of all things in Revelation, the call for God’s people to rejoice cannot be ignored. No wonder joy is...
The Apostle Paul masterfully explains justification by faith in Philippians 3:1-11. True righteousness is not based on human achievement but is Christ’s righteousness imparted to us by faith. We have not, and cannot, and will not ever be accepted by trusting in self-effort. Our righteousness is found in Christ alone....
Years ago, my wife roped me into watching the PBS adaptation of the classic Anne of Green Gables. Actually, she didn’t rope me into it; I came along willingly. I admit it wasn't my cup of tea, and only began to watch the series because she was, but soon found...