The day after Christmas usually finds parents recuperating and children playing with their new toys or electronics. For me, this day began by reading about the crucifixion of Jesus Christ in John 19. Jesus was a truly innocent man, guilty of nothing worthy of death, declared to be so by Pilate, the highest regional governmental… Read More »

What a coincidence that my quiet time reading of John 18 falls on Christmas Day. What’s also amazing is the clear statement by Jesus himself as to why he was born and why he came into the world. Standing falsely accused before Pilate, Jesus answered Pilate’s question, “So you are a king?” by saying, “You… Read More »

Ruby & I usually try to get our Christmas message out to the church family sooner than the day before Christmas. However, I couldn’t think of a specific message I wanted to communicate, UNTIL I was playing a card game today with my seven year-old grandson. He can be funny & sometimes a little weird,… Read More »

I remember 4 years ago preaching a sermon on voting: should we or shouldn’t we? As liberated people in Jesus Christ, we are free to vote as citizens of our nation or not vote. There is no biblical mandate to do so. (There may be other important reasons for Christians to do so that I… Read More »

The Elders learned today that a visitor attending our worship service on 10/11/20 tested positive for COVID-19. Therefore, as a prudent and necessary precaution, we are cancelling our in-person worship services for the remaining Sundays in October (10/18 & 10/25). In lieu of the in-person meetings, I (Pastor Terry) will present a message via Facebook… Read More »

Psalm 150 closes the Psalter with a symphony of praise to God. 13 times the command is given to “praise the LORD” or “praise God.” Where can I praise him? On earth “in his sanctuary” and “in his mighty heavens” (1). Why should I praise God? Because of his “mighty deeds” (2a). To what extent… Read More »

To me, Psalm 149 promotes a somber or serious kind of joy. I can gladly enter into the praise & singing, the gladness & rejoicing in Yahweh, my Maker and King (1-2). I’m not good at dancing or making melody on a musical instrument (3), but I can appreciate others who can. I praise God… Read More »

Psalm 148 records the universe’s symphony of praise. 13 times the word is used in its 14 verses. Verses 1-6 call the heavens to initiate Yahweh’s praise (1). From the armies of angels (2) to sun, moon, stars & clouds, praise should ring. Why? Because Yahweh commanded their existence (5) and established them forever to… Read More »

The theme of praising the LORD continues in Psalm 147 from beginning to ending (1, 20) as well as in the middle (12). In verse 1, I immediately see three reasons to praise Yahweh in song: it’s good, it’s pleasant & it’s fitting. From verses 2-3 some Bible teachers believe this song was composed after… Read More »

I’m glad the psalms end on a bright note of praise. There has been plenty of lament expressed throughout the Psalms (along with praise & thanksgiving). However, the Psalter ends on a crescendo of praise. Psalm 146 begins and ends with a corporate call to praise Yahweh – Hallelujah! (1, 10). Such praise is not… Read More »