~Video Version~ ------------------------------------------------ Luke 9:23-24 Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." It would be easy to miss the fact that Jesus said this “to them all.” It is a message for each of us, but also all of us. Together. Taking up the cross includes sacrificing self for Christ and serving other people IN CHRIST. Jesus said it powerfully with his words, “Love your neighbor as yoursel…

~Video Version~ ------------------------------------ Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:4-7) Do you ever get stressed? Stress can be a good thing, but not if it is a…

~Video Version~ ----------------------------------------------- I think God must like trees. There are so many of them in His creation. Some of them beckon you to look up and admire their majestic growth, declaring the glory of God as they sway in the wind and accent the blue sky. I like the way they grow in groups, supporting each other. Some of them invite you to climb them. Some of them are great to build things out of, or cross rivers on, or just admire their beauty. Some of them invite y…

~Video Version~ ---------------------- On Easter Sunday we helped the Lion’s Club with an Easter Egg hunt in the park. It was a great event, a lot of fun, but I was surprised by one of the tasks that needed to be accomplished. Kris and I began our service by being on "Raven duty." What? Once the decorated hard-boiled eggs were hidden out in the field, the Ravens were ready to swoop down and grab them. I observed 4 of them dive-bombing in to grab eggs, flying away with them in their claws …

~Video Version~ --------------------------------- Habakkuk 3:17-18 “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.” Our grandson, Jack, loves trains. He can play with them for hours, he loves the train museum and riding on trains. I’m thinking today about how our lives are a bit l…