Prayer, a privilege of great value, that challenges us to ask our loving God for even more. Jim Cymbala, “When I stand before the judgment seat of Christ, he is not going to ask me if I was a clever orator.  He is not going to ask me how many books I wrote.  He is only going to ask me whether I continued in the line of men and women, starting way back in the time of Adam’s grandchildren (Gen. 4:26), who led others to call on the name of the Lord.”  Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire p

The one who began a good work in you will complete it (Philippians 1:6). When God begins his work in us, it is His Holy Spirit that takes up residence in our heart. John the apostle in his gospel likens this creative power in us to a spring of living water. John 7: 37-39: "... Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. 38  Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” 39  By thi

What are you building? Are you looking to add to your schedule the practice and study of a discipline which you want to pursue in the new year? Peter, in his second letter, calls believers to build up their faith by adding virtuous practices. 2 Peter 2 : 5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godlines

Time for a fitness change? Physically, Mentally or Spiritually? People are constantly looking for something to make life work and to see the void in their hearts and minds filled with something fulfilling.  It’s the new year, so you know it’s time to get in shape all over again.  Start a new exercise regimen or a new diet.  Or, or…  forget all that and just check out completely and get wasted!  (you know I don’t mean that).    Isn’t that what some do just to escape life and

Merry Christmas to you one and all! Here we are the day after Christmas.  I hope you have been able to slow down just a little to reflect on the precious gift that God lavished on us in sending Jesus.  God did not withhold his very best from us, he freely offered his son.  The Son of God not only walked the earth, but he also clothed himself with flesh and blood. God sent us a Messiah who would be well acquainted with the struggle we would face to live out a life of obedience

Ten of us went Christmas caroling last night and experienced a great blessing as we visited four homes of those shut in due to illness. We also sang for the residents at Timbercreek Nursing Home during their evening meal. I was so encouraged by the comment of one resident at Timbercreek who said very emphatically, "Thank you so much for coming out to sing for us." Sometimes it's just a simple acts of kindness that give us the most joy. You may not be the best singer, y

O come let us adore Him O come let us adore Him O come let us adore Him Christ, the Lord. We'll praise his name forever We'll praise his name forever We'll praise his name forever Christ, the Lord. We'll give Him all the glory We'll give Him all the glory We'll give Him all the glory Christ the Lord. For He alone is worthy For He alone is worthy For He alone is worthy Christ, the Lord. I came across an article from Haven Today about this carol and I would like to share some e

If Christ made a return visit in 2025, would we welcome Him? John 1:11: He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. Luke 13:34: O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!". It should not surprise us when some of the gifts we give to our children or grandchildren are not well receiv

Please stay home, safe and warm and grab a service on line or on TV!

Thanksgiving is a special time to reconnect with loved ones and reflect on the blessings in our lives. This year, the joy of gathering felt even greater as our family welcomed four new grandsons over the past three years. Being able to see all of our children and celebrate together brought a deep sense of gratitude and warmth. In this post, I want to share the meaningful moments of our Thanksgiving, how family growth enriches our lives, and ideas to make your holiday gatherin

If a picture says a thousand words, I think this one does. Here is a representation of a determined prayer warrior. If the battle belongs to the Lord as I Samuel 17:47 teaches, then we need to be on our knees. We will only consistently take advantage of the Lord's desire to be attentive to our prayers, if our hearts are in a healthy faith posture. Jeremiah 33:3, " Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know (NASB

Is love lost and wasted if it is not accepted and reciprocated? If you love someone and they don't love you back, is it a wasted effort? Jesus would say, "No!" The powerful statement made by the gospel is that God loved us unconditionally. Romans 5:8 : But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Christ offers his life to make sure we understand that he loves us first. He takes the initiative to heal the sin problem

A peaceful forest path symbolizing the journey with Jesus Life often moves faster than we expect. Days fill up with tasks, responsibilities, and unexpected challenges. In the middle of this rush, it can feel like we lose touch with what truly matters. Yet, Jesus promises a constant presence with us. In Matthew 28, He says, "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." This assurance invites us to find joy in the journey, no matter how hectic life becomes. How

What are you running after? When I was a kid at Halloween we tried to get to as many houses as possible to get the biggest haul of candy. What are you running after this week? What has occupied your time and focus? Some of the more mundane issues in the Winfrey household were finding a solution to a roof leak and completing a bathroom remodel project. These needs are not part of my ultimate life purpose, but protecting our biggest investment does consistently occupy a p

Enjoying the warmth of the fire during our Harvest Festival Friday, October 17th We could not have asked for better weather for our third annual Harvest Festival. Great turnout for the grilled hot dogs (thanks Paul), apple cider, caramel apples, great side dishes and calorie free deserts (ha, ha). We had a couple guys walk off the street to eat with us as well. They stayed and enjoyed some rich fellowship with the great people God has gathered at Calvary. We will not be o

Join us for our Harvest Festival Friday October 17th 5-8 PM There is a coolness in the air. A change is coming. Are you ready to...

Come and join the dance Good Friday morning to you all. As I shared in my message last week, this God who has richly blessed us with...

It's harvest time...farmers are busy people this time of year Farmers have invested so much time and resources throughout the spring and...

Sharing a devotion at our church picnic Hey thanks for checking in on this week's blog. I am sharing a picture from a few weeks ago and...

What a gift friendships are Because our Lord knows us so well, He is able to provide tailor made gifts that bring us great joy. ...