Though nothing really happens when we cross the invisible line of midnight on New Years; but we may never lose our facination with it. There is something in us all that gives us pause for reflection and looking ahead. This message from Deuteronomy chapter eight gives informed persepective to people between seasons.

Our Christmas Candlelight service featured Pastor Dan reading Luke chapter 2, the story of the birth of Christ to the children with their participation. Pastor Jeff read the story of the "Other Wise Man" by Henry Van Dyke, to the adults.

We are all made in the image of God. That means that we built in with a creative impulse to innovate, to expand and to steward something small into something bigger. We are not called to be lazy and ineffictive in prospering what we put our hand to. We are designed for prospering in work, giving in generosity and living by faith.

Are you finding yourself close-hearted and close-fisted? Are you always living on the edge of panic with respect to finances? Then you have a spirit of poverty. This message helps break that thinking.

Psalm 88 is, arguably, the worst psalm in the Bible. There is just nothing hopeful about it. One commentator said of psalm 88: “It is a wintry landscape of unrelieved bleakness.” Even the last word in Psalm 88 is darkness. Even though it is the worst psalm in the Bible it has a lot of great lessons--especially to the mature.

Samson’s story is less on of a hero and more fool as it shows us moral slide of a man who could have been defined by great character rather than a few great exploits. In the end, Samson finds a redemption, of sorts, but it comes tragically and with the loss of this own life. In Samson, we find a character study that doesn’t inspire us to be. Rather, it is a character study that shows us what not to be.

Samson shows us what a backslider looks like.

Various members of the congregation share their thanksgiving to the Lord. Pastor Jeff closes with a personal story about a "shallow thanksgiving."

Shallow Thanksgiving

(Story attached below)

This message was preached on Sunday before our national election. It answers:

What is happening in our country? (14:30)

What should we do? (34:25)

How to find encouragement whoever wins. (39:25)

The message continues with:

4. Quenching the Holy Spirit

5. Resisting the Holy Spirit

6. Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (The unforgivable sin)

The Holy Spirit was given to us by Jesus Christ to be our Helper and Advocate. He empowers us to do the work of the Kingdom with the departure of Christ. The Bible teaches that there are six sins against the Holy Spirit. Part one includes: Lying against the Holy Spirit, Grieving the Holy Spirit and Insulting the Holy Spirit.

The Bible teaches us that we can have assurance of salvation. How can you know if you are saved? This message gives seven biblical priniciples that prove salvation.