Every once in a while, you'll read a story similar to the one I read this past week. It was about a man who was arrested in New York for failure to pay child support. That isn't so rare. What was rare was that the man was actually an FBI informant who was posing in Soho as an Austrian Prince named Josef Von Habsburg-Lothringen. It turned out that all of his bragging about losing and making money at the bank he ran, the lederhosen in which he ran around, and even his entire life, were nothing but lies. You have to wonder why no one ever questioned it. I mean, an Austrian Prince living in New York City? Sounds rather preposterous, doesn't it? Yet, for several years, he managed to fool everyone - including himself. Still, why didn't anyone even question his story? After last week's message, you wonder what the response would have been. Would the blind man's friends and religious leaders simply say: "Wow, that's great!" Or, would they ask some simple questions to see what really happened? Worse, would they continue to react in the same fashion that they seemed to do throughout John's entire Gospel? I encourage you to join us on Sunday as we see reactions to what happened to the man who was given sight. Take a few moments and read John 9 to recap last week and see what happens next. Can't wait to see you all on Sunday! Thomas

Every once in a while, you'll read a story similar to the one I read this past week. It was about a man who was arrested in New York for failure to pay child support. That isn't so rare. What was rare was that the man was actually an FBI...

In John 9, Jesus' disciples ask him a very theological question: "Why was this man, here, born blind?" That's the same kind of question that you and I ask all the time. "Why?" We love to ask God "Why", but we don't always stop and really listen to the answer. Jesus' answer to this quesiton might surprise you. It did that for the disciples AND the man born blind! P.Dave

In John 9, Jesus' disciples ask him a very theological question: "Why was this man, here, born blind?" That's the same kind of question that you and I ask all the time. "Why?" We love to ask God "Why", but we...

We say we want change all the time. We want the government to change. We want our families to change. Some people want the Cubs to change managers. And, Julie would be happy if I would simply change the toilet paper roll. But, when it comes to changing something about ourselves...that is a different story. Most of us are pretty happy with ourselves just the way we are. We want others to change - not us. This is the setting in which we find Jesus this week, as we continue our walk through John. We're still at the Festival of Booths (camping and grilling out). Last week, Pastor Dave ended with verse 30: "As He was saying these things, many believed in Him." (ESV) It would appear that Jesus was starting to rebuild His group of followers. When people said they wanted to follow, Jesus pushed them into a deeper life of discipleship. Following Jesus isn't a one-time decision. It is an ongoing lifestyle of change. So, then, how did the new "believers" react toward Jesus' challenge for them? What happened next may surprise you. I encourage you to read John 8:31-59 and take time on your Independence Day to join us for worship and find out why Jesus is the only "Change You Can Believe In." Can't wait to see you Sunday! Thomas

We say we want change all the time. We want the government to change. We want our families to change. Some people want the Cubs to change managers. And, Julie would be happy if I would simply change the toilet paper roll. But, when it comes to...

One of the brightest lights ever produced by human beings was developed in WWII. The Carbon Arc Search light was designed to light up aircraft that flew 4 to 5 miles up in the air. This light was rated at 800 million candle power. To match the that brightness, one would have to light 800 million candles at once - or roughly every Yankee Candle that has been made in the last 8 years. Now that's a bright light! But, that light is only useful if it's turned on at night. In the day time, it doesn't "hold a candle" to the sun. (Jack Fellers, that was a pun for you!) In John 8:12, Jesus said: "I am the Light of the World." In saying this, He wasn't intending to rate his brightness in terms of wattage or candle power. What He was intending to say was simply that the world is a dark place - and He alone offers the hope of light. Sunday, we're going to dig into John 8. I hope, by the end of our time together, you'll see how to step into the light of life! I can't wait to see you on Sunday, P. Dave

One of the brightest lights ever produced by human beings was developed in WWII. The Carbon Arc Search light was designed to light up aircraft that flew 4 to 5 miles up in the air. This light was rated at 800 million candle power. To match the that...

Men, think about this question for a minute: What do you want most in life? Seriously, stop for a second and think about your answer. What is your greatest goal in life? Is it a job? House? Security? For King David, the answer was not found in any of these things. The answer, for him, was found in the description given by God. And, God called David "A man after His own heart." Over the years, I've had a lot of people try to help get in touch with my inner heart's desires. They would ask me, "What is it that you really want?" Oh, I wish that I could say that my heart's desire was to be called a "man after God's own heart." Sometimes I want that. But, sometimes I just want to be well-liked and have financial security for my family. On Father's Day, I just want to be a good dad. According to the Bible, the best way I can accomplish my goal of being a "good dad" is to first become a man after God's own heart. This Father's Day, we're going to dig into Psalm 1, and we're going to see how the Psalmist said we can become a man after God's own heart! I'll give you a hint: The answer will NOT be going to more religious meetings. It's something a whole lot "cooler" than that! As always, I can't wait to see you this Sunday on Father's Day! In Christ, P. Dave

Men, think about this question for a minute: What do you want most in life? Seriously, stop for a second and think about your answer. What is your greatest goal in life? Is it a job? House? Security? For King David, the answer was not found in any of...