As we begin this new year, I wonder if we can look at it as a year of change, adjusting ‘renewal’ not just resolution? Resolve, is key to finishing strong. And just making a resolution will not gender the commitment necessary to make a resolve to leave where you've been to get you where you need to be. You see, to reach out, we must let go. To go up, you can no longer look down. To move on to what could be, means you must shut off what would be. The very popular movie ‘Frozen’ eloquently puts it in the best way, ‘Let It Go!’ In this new year, each of us need to make, not a resolution, but rather a promise to ourselves that instead of fearing what was, we must begin to reach towards what yet can be. Instead of fearing what has yet been unknown, choose to hope in what is known. What is known? What do I know to be true and can securely place my hope in? GOD IS THE AUTHOR OF NEW. He is the beginner and finisher of my faith, hope and life (Heb 12:2; Lam 20:24; John 10:10) and promises to make everything new. Also, every good and perfect thing comes from Him (James 1:17) And because of this, I can trust this new year will be good.

As we will begin our study on the 'Armor of God' next Wednesday Evening, January 3rd at 6:30pm... we will set the foundation for the series this evening by asking the question, 'What Is Truth?' In today's society 'truth' seems to take on many forms thereby disallowing 'truth to be truth'. Truth, by simple definition would be explained as a 'unchangeable, nonadjustable, or non-questionable absolute.' Join us as we begin our series, 'The Armor of God and Why Christians Need To Be Suited Up?

We’ve looked at the ‘Legends of Christmas’ all the while looking at the ‘Realities of Life.’ The underlying truth we’ve found throughout our series is that ‘All Things were Not as They Seem’. In 'Christmas Legends', many did not fully accept, nor understand that God’s only Son coming into the world the way He did, was the way God chose. All expected a Conquering King, not a Suffering Servant. In the ‘Legends of Christmas’ all things were not as they seemed, but this truth was understood; Jesus did not come to solve earthly problems, and do things our way; but to resolve the heavenly problem separating man and God and become ‘The Way!’. He did not come to solve the physical issues of earth, but the spiritual issues of eternity. He did this helping us to see by ‘cutting down’ our plans, he was able to ‘sweeten’ our understanding of ‘His plan’ wrapped in a ‘wreath of victory’ set out and lifted up for all to see the realities of life are seen throughout creation. Join us this Sunday as we conclude our series, 'Christmas Legends and Life Realities' with 'Christmas Is THE Reality of All Life'

Over the centuries, the wreath has been used symbolically and metaphorically in many cultures as they placed great importance on the December celebration of the Winter Solstice, and the shortest day of the year. For them, this was a time of death and rebirth, a celebration of the end of the ever-shortening days and the anticipation of the coming promise of spring. As part of many celebrations, evergreen wreaths were gathered as a sign of the approaching spring light. The Persians and the Greeks, saw wreaths as a symbol of importance and success and were worn as headbands. Wreaths were worn similarly as crowns of victory even hanging on doorways denoting the victories.

Last week, as we looked at the ‘Legend of the Three Trees’ and I made a statement that posed a question: ‘All things are not as they seem’, so ‘What seems to be the result of all things?’ One reality that ‘we know’, God gave Himself to us when He sent Jesus. There are people who believe the story of the ‘Candy Cane is just a Legend’. Some believe it really happened. No one really knows for sure exactly how the candy cane was invented, but there is one thing for certain... all things are not as they seem; but the picture of God’s love through Jesus’ is the result of the picture seen.

A truth I learned many years ago, and one that has exponentially increased in understanding since I’ve become a Pastor is this, ‘all things are not as they seem.’ What seemed to be apparent, wasn’t and what seemed to be hidden was clearly in view yet unseen at the time.

One man has said when asked, ‘what is truth?’ A simple definition drawn from scripture is: Truth is that which is consistent with the mind, will, character, glory, and being of God. Even more to the point: Truth is the self-expression of God. That is the biblical meaning of truth. Because the definition of truth flows from God, truth is theological. God's Truth is powerful because it is the expression of His character. It shows you who He is. The simple reality is this: God is a God of Justice... Joyce Meyer one said, ‘nobody can mistreat you and get by with it if you have faith in God. One way or another, what was unjustly taken from you will come back to you’. Life is without meaning or substance until you fully know Who God is and surrender to Him in faith. Also, God is a good God... and that is a fact that will never change. God is good all the time, not just once in a while or when things go my way, but all the time! The Psalmist writes: taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him. And ultimately, God is a Holy God. Literally this means God is righteous, He is separate from that which is common. He is always right. Join us this Sunday @ 10am as we look to ‘Discover the Power of God’s Truth!’

One of the greatest tragedies of our time is that people who’ve made mistakes are now so afraid of failing again that they soon give up. Whether it’s a career change or a failed marriage. Our world is strewn with the wreckage of unexecuted plans, half-finished resolutions, and unrealized dreams. Maybe this is you. You’ve tried and tried; yet you feel you can’t try again. What will it take? Have you ever, or do you feel like giving up? One realty that I have learned it that a life outside of or without Christ will make you feel that way. Many times, people feel they’ve run the gauntlet. That all there is left to do is to go with the flow. I have found many well-meaning Christians sadly joining the mentality of a sect of people called fatalist. Fatalists believe in fate… in other words; they’ve got no choice over life, it’s all set. God has set different parameters in order to all those who would desire. Yet to gain it, means to lose something else. This is what I call God’s Math; The Way To Win, Is To Lose! Join us this Sunday as we conclude our series, ‘All Of The Losers Win!’ As learn, understand and become victorious as we apply God’s Math.

There is an old adage out there that simply says, ‘All Gave Some, But Some Gave All!’ Another, that is greatly similar, ‘American is the land of the free, because of the brave!’ The past is an interesting part of the present. Yesterday is something that we can either run from or something that we can learn from. If you don’t learn from history, (the past), it tends to repeat itself and we will fall into the same traps as we did before. Our dear young (not old) country is doing the same thing. So many, have given so much, for so long to keep this country safe and strong. They did this for one reason, to keep this nation free. Freedom! Yet many today fail to remember or even realize, the whole reason America was settled in the first place was to be under the one who could truly keep this great nation free, God! To remain free we must remain, ‘One Nation Under God’ if not we will be ‘one nation gone under!’ Join us this Sunday as we recognize Veteran’s Day and all those who gave some, and remember some of those who gave all.