Church Blog

  • We Become Like What We Pursue
    Rick Negley
    Jan 09, 2012

    In the middle of the litany of the kings of Judah and Israel--some who did what was right and many who did what was evil in the eyes of the Lord--a statement jumped off the page at me: "...they went after false idols and became false" (2 Kings 17:15).  What the people went after they also became.  We become like what we pursue.  Those who pursue righteousness through Christ become righteous.  Those who pursue Jesus become more like Him.

    Who are what are you pursuing?  Who or what are you becoming?  Who or what is worthy of your pursuit?
  • We Want to Be Like All the Other States
    Rick Negley
    Nov 01, 2009

    In the days of the prophet Samuel, the people of Israel came to Samuel and said in effect, “We want to be ‘like all the nations’ who have a king” (1 Samuel 8:5; 1 Samuel 8:20). In these days leading up to a state-wide ballot issue, I hear people saying that they want this state to be like all the surrounding states that have casino gambling.

    Interestingly enough, some of the loudest voices of opposition are from the gambling industry. Those who operate racetrack betting are opposing the plan to allow casino gambling in the state. One wonders about their motives.
  • What Are You Rubbing on Your Skin?
    Rick Negley
    Oct 30, 2009

    Last night I heard on the radio that a cosmetic company is manufacturing and selling an anti-wrinkle cream that contains tissue from aborted babies. I was struck not only by the horrific nature of such a product, but also by the irony of rubbing part of a dead body on your face to make you look more alive.
  • “Vengeance Is Mine,” Says the Lord
    Rick Negley
    Oct 30, 2009

    Wednesday, September 2, was a beautiful late summer evening, and I was out for a bike ride. Suddenly I heard a vehicle engine revving behind me and saw out of the corner of my eye a van coming towards me. Then I saw the passenger leaning towards me and yelling angry words laced with profanity. By God’s grace, I was spared from running off the road and crashing to the ground. It is also only by the grace of God that I did not return a volley of angry words or an obscene gesture (but my thoughts at that moment were not loving and pure).
  • God's Purpose in Persecution, Part 2
    Brenden Greenwood
    Jun 11, 2009

    In the last blog entry I reflected on Stephen's calling into the office of deacon, his performing of many miracles and his glorious death at the hands of Jewish leaders. We, as believers in Christ, must remember the great martyrs who came before us. It is important to remember that through many tribulations we will enter the kingdom of God (Acts 14:22). Our heavenly Father's ways are massively above our ways. You can't even for a split second have the remotest idea of how intricate and far reaching his plans and purposes are. He knows all hearts, all thoughts, every will of man.