The Pacific Southwest Conference is offering a discount for couples who register for "Weekend to Remember." Please use the discount code PSWC when registering and receive $100 off. The marriage retreat will be in Phoenix June 16-18....
Of all the emotions that a human can feel, fear is possibly the most impactful. Fear can seamlessly compel a person to act in ways that are not beneficial to their well-being. Fear is of the enemy......
It‘s true we often suffer some great disappointments, some expectations or plans we might have not always materialized. We may even feel like God’s left us hanging and that an illness or injury has taken him away from us. But remember, He is faithful. And the real upside of this is if we remain faithful we will live eternally with Him someday. ...
Love isn’t just for Valentines Day -- it’s what gets me up everyday. Love isn’t just for that one special someone -- it’s for everyone. The chance to care for and encourage those around me is an honor. Measure all things in your life by the “Rule of Love”. What would God have you do? What does love require? What breaks your heart, and what one thing can you do to help?...
Truth be told, I am not an elite athlete. When I was in kindergarten, I flunked “skip” (not sure how my self-esteem survived that report card, but that is another story). While early on, I was too uncoordinated to skip, I did play baseball, soccer, real football, and basketball when I was growing up. However, I was never endowed with the physical gifts to become what I call an elite athlete. What I do know though, is that God equipped me with the gifts to enjoy those sports and become the best athlete I could ever be....
There are many differences between God, as the Bible describes Him, and the Force of Star Wars but there’s a line from Han Solo in the new movie that sums it up. One of the new characters talks about how he’s going to do something that seems impossible and Han asks him how. The young man says, “I’ll use the Force,” and runs off. Han yells after him, “That’s not how the Force works, kid!” That’s not how a personal, caring God works either....
The plans of man will always fail, but the plan of God has already won its battle. If Christians are to actually make an impact in the world then they must collectively turn to the truths found in scripture alone. They must become engulfed in the transformative power of God through His word provided in the bible......
I hunger for simplicity. I want to approach God in childlike faith, wonder, and awe. I long for more than just spiritual life but spiritual health ...
Pastor Duane’s new sermon series is entitled, “Remove the Log!†based on Matthew 7:1-5 where Jesus says “First get rid of the log in our own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in our friend’s eye.†(Matt. 7:5, NLT)...
Keep ReadingBy the end of this week most of the Arizona children between the ages of 4 and 18 will be enrolled in school. By the end of this month, most of the colleges in the state will be up and running as well. Campuses will be bustling with students of many nationalities and colors. It will be a glorious sight! ...
Keep ReadingHow do you know if you’re growing closer to Christ? Can spiritual transformation be measure any way? Are there benchmarks in our walk with God that help us know we're on the right path?...
Keep ReadingIn a book that some of us have read recently, Can We Do That? by Andy Stanley and Ed Young, the authors identify their strategy for evangelism. It’s called, “Invest and Invite." The idea is that each member is to partner with the pastoral staff in winning people to Christ....
Keep ReadingGoogle “marriage jokes†and these are some of the things you’ll find: Marriage is not a word. It is a sentence��"a life sentence. Marriage is very much like a violin; after the sweet music is over, the strings are attached. Marriage is love. Love is blind. ...
Keep ReadingThe “2014 Proposed Immigration Resolution†is presented to the church with the intent of fostering dialogue, awareness, and feedback around a complex and often politicized issue. Please read this resolution which was presented at the Annual Meeting of the Evangelical Covenant Church this past June....
Keep ReadingIf you were given a multiple-choice test with this one question, how would you honestly answer it? “How would you describe your involvement in your local church?†A.) I don’t feel like I have much to offer. I feel unqualified. B.) I am hesitant to get involved because of past hurt. C.) I recognize the importance of serving and I feel I am ade...
Keep ReadingWhat am I asked everyday? "How do you like your new job?" My answer: "I like it a lot." Three reasons stand out....
Keep ReadingA couple of years ago I was invited to participate in a “Thriving Church Conference†sponsored by the Pacific Southwest Conference of the Covenant. Myself and seven other pastors were led to discover what a “Thriving Church†looked like. Doug Stevens, a church growth consultant, put the results of our two days together into the following form. As yo...
Keep ReadingHow are you feeling? Are you healthy? Have you ever sat next to someone coughing and sneezing and worried, "Oh I hope I don't catch that!" I have been suffering with Valley Fever for the past 6 months, so I know what it's like to be the person coughing and the looks people give are so strange. I know they think it's a cold or flu and wish I'd go home. They never stop to th...
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