There are certain things in life that I just can't understand. For instance, I have no idea what it's like to be pregnant (for which we are ALL grateful). I have no idea what it's like to be raised in a third-world country. I have no...

While preparing for this week's message, I came across a verse that really caught my attention. In John 16:21, Jesus said: "A woman giving birth to a child has pain...but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy..." Our fifth child is almost here, and, having been in the delivery room for the previous four children, I can relate to Jesus' words. I realize that all of you mothers out there are screaming at your computers right now: "DAVE, YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND ANYTHING ABOUT GIVING BIRTH!" Well, in rebuttal to that argument, I'd like to say .... "Never mind, you're right." BUT, I do understand what Jesus was trying to say. Jesus uses this illustration to make a single point to His disciples: In a little bit, you will have grief. But, no matter how bad it feels, I promise your grief will turn to joy. I don't know about you, but to me, that message is what I needed to hear today. You and I understand grief. We understand that life in this world is hard. But, as followers of Christ, we also look forward to having our grief turn to joy. This Sunday (9 am at the YMCA - don't forget!), we're going to see how Jesus turns our grief into joy. And, what better way to celebrate joy than to baptize some individuals who desire to identify with Christ in this great celebration of obedience? Sunday will be great. I can't wait to see you then! P. Dave

While preparing for this week's message, I came across a verse that really caught my attention. In John 16:21, Jesus said: "A woman giving birth to a child has pain...but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her...

When my kids were little, they often wanted to help me. "Daddy, can I help you with that project you're working on?" Now, don't get me wrong. I LOVED that my kids wanted to help me. But, I always sighed a bit when they offered. I realized that, with their "help," it was going to take a LOT longer to accomplish my task. By the end of it, I had to ask: "Were my kids helping me, or was I helping my kids?" As we've worked our way through the Gospel of John, we've been noticing how Jesus is slowly introducing us to the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is called our "Comforter, Advocate, or Helper." If the Holy Spirit is our helper, what is He helping us do? Is He our helper, or are we His helpers? It's the same question that I asked about my kids. In John 16, Jesus assigns an incredible job to us and to the Holy Spirit. In order to accomplish this task, we have to understand our role and the role of the Holy Spirit. Otherwise, we might be tempted to have "role reversal." If you have a moment, read John 16:5-15 to prepare your heart to receive the message of God's Word. As always, I can't wait to see you on Sunday! P. Dave

When my kids were little, they often wanted to help me. "Daddy, can I help you with that project you're working on?" Now, don't get me wrong. I LOVED that my kids wanted to help me. But, I always sighed a bit when they offered. I...

This week, Clorrisa and I purchased some new furniture for our living room. We spent hours in the store, looking for just the right piece of furniture - something that was both functionable and fashionable. It also had to be reasonably priced for our meager budget. Getting Clorrisa and I to agree on the right piece was no easy task. But, finally, we came to an agreement. That's when the salesman really kicked his sales pitch into gear. He made it his goal to sell us a "furniture protection" plan. I was skeptical. Everything he said looked great... that was until I looked at the fine print. It turns out, his deal was too good to be true. It made me a little angry. I wish that he would have been up front with us. In the second half of John 15, Jesus did for us what my salesman would not. Jesus read the fine print. He gave us full disclosure. At first glance, we may think Jesus would have been wise to omit this little bit of truth. But Jesus wanted His followers to have their eyes widely opened to His call. He was not playing the "bait and switch" game. This Sunday, it's my prayer that your eyes will be widely opened as, together, we seek to follow Jesus on this life-long journey of discipleship. If you want to prepare for Sunday, read over John 15:18-16:4 and analyze the fine print!

This week, Clorrisa and I purchased some new furniture for our living room. We spent hours in the store, looking for just the right piece of furniture - something that was both functionable and fashionable. It also had to be reasonably priced for our...

I figured out that I like to control things. A long time ago, when I was in a Bible college, I remember thinking that the pastor was in total control of the church. Now, that thought made me laugh. For anyone but God, total control is nothing but an illusion. But that still doesn't keep me from trying...and failing. In John 15, Jesus prepared His disciples for His departure. For all of you who are "control freaks" like me, Jesus gives us some very simple instructions on how to be a follower of Christ. In short, he says: "Stop trying to control things. Just Be!" That's a lot easier said than done. But Jesus gives us some really helpful and practical wisdom about relinquishing control and being - finding the strength to "Just Be." A friend of mine sent this quote yesterday. I think it's fitting for this Sunday's message. "Dear God, I am so afraid to open my clenched fists! Who will I be when I have nothing left to hold on to? Who will I be when I stand before you with empty hands? Please help me to gradually open my hands and to discover that I am not what I own, but what you want to give me. And what you want to give me is love, unconditional, everlasting love. Amen." - Henri J.M. Nouwen

I figured out that I like to control things. A long time ago, when I was in a Bible college, I remember thinking that the pastor was in total control of the church. Now, that thought made me laugh. For anyone but God, total control is nothing but an...

Johnnie Cochran. F. Lee Bailey. Robert Shapiro. Barry Scheck. What do each of these men have in common? Each was a member of the so-called "Dream Team" of lawyers hired by O.J. Simpson to defend him in the "Trial of the Century" in which O.J. was charged with the murders of his wife Nicole and Ronald Goldman. As most of you know, the Dream Team turned out to be very effective at their task - securing O.J.'s acquittal on all charges in one of the most watched verdicts in U.S. history. Many people around the world, including me, were glued to a T.V. on October 3, 1995 at around noon when the jury returned their dramatic verdict. In the last half of John 14, Jesus was outlining, for His disciples, God's plan to establish another team - His Father's version of the Dream Team. This team was also designed to make a dramatic impact on their lives and the lives of every person in the world. In fact, as we will see in our study, every follower of Christ is on this team and it is designed with a strikingly similar objective to O.J.'s Dream Team. We will examine Jesus' plan for making this team even more effective at its task than O.J.'s. Looking forward to seeing you on Sunday! Yours, Denny