Joseph's Story/My Story You know that moment when your GPS confidently tells you to turn left, and you end up in someone's driveway? Then it says in that calm, slightly judgmental voice: "Recalculating." We've all been there, right? Following directions that seemed to lead us absolutely nowhere useful.  Life can feel like that sometimes. We think we're on the right path, doing everything we're supposed to do, and then—BAM—we end up in a pit. Literally, in Joseph's case. And u

From The Garden of Eden to the Cross of Calvary! If you read the Bible like a story, there's something tragic that happens really early on. In Genesis, Adam and Eve are created in God's image. They're made for relationship with God. They're walking with Him in the cool of the day. Everything is perfect. Everything is beautiful. And that goes awesome for about one page.  Then sin enters the picture. Adam and Eve eat the forbidden fruit, and immediately—I mean immediately—somet

Recognizing the Times we are in! I asked Alexa the other day, "Alexa, are you going to take over the world?" And you know what she said? "I like humanity. You're fun." Now, I don't know about you, but when my smart speaker starts complimenting humanity like we're a pet she's decided to keep around, it makes me a little nervous!    We've all had those moments, haven't we? You're talking to Siri, and she responds with something so eerily intelligent that you wonder, "Wait, is t

In Luke 15:23 Jesus is telling one of His most famous parables, and to be honest this father had clearly lost his mind. His son had just shown up at the front door smelling like a pigpen. I mean, we're talking about a young man who'd been living with actual pigs, eating their food, sleeping in their filth. He's wearing rags that probably violated several health codes. He's got mud caked in places mud shouldn't be. And he's standing there rehearsing an apology speech he'd been

Learning to Trust God Beyond My Comfort Zone In the early 2000s, when I was in my early twenties, I worked for a landscaping company. Looking back now, I can’t help but think, “Oh Lord, I’m getting so old.” Our company was contracted to install a brick patio and a shrub bed for a family who lived by a lake. The project was going to take a week or two to finish. During my lunch breaks, I would sit alone on the dock by the lake, enjoying the peace and quiet—no roaring tractors,

Reflections on Perseverance Through Trials I recently read the story of Job in the Bible, and my goodness—if anyone ever comes into my office and claims they feel even a fraction like Job, I might just have to laugh them all the way out the front doors of the church. (Now, anyone who knows me knows I would never actually do this!) But honestly, Job went through more than most of us can ever imagine. Job had a very good life. He was wealthy, had a large family, and loved and o

Standing Firm in a Changing Culture By: Pastor Doug Introduction My last blog was a lighter and more playful read, but today I feel an urgent need to share something heavy on my heart. While listening to a podcast about recent changes in New York following the election of Mayor Mamdani, I was deeply unsettled by what I heard. The news struck me so intensely that I felt a lump in my throat, and I realized how important it is for us, as Christians, to respond. A Call to Spiritu

Part 1: Introduction   As many of you know, Jesus was not born on December 25th. Now before you shut down, put away all your Christmas decorations, and become the Scrooge—Bah Humbug!—there is a reason why we celebrate when we do. And it truly is a great reason! So, let's jump into it.   The Mystery of Christ's Birth Date December 25th was not the date of Jesus' birth, nor was He believed to be born in the month of December at all. The exact date of this miraculous virgin birt