Pastor Quinn • February 4, 2024

A Time to Pause

A survey says about half of Americans report they're usually trying to do two or more things at once. But just about one tenth of Americans said the fast pace of their lives was harming their health. Another survey says 60% of U.S. adults reported they at least sometimes feel to busy to enjoy life. We need rest for our bodies & minds. Martin Luther is quoted as saying "Work, work, from morning until night. In fact, I have so much to do today that I shall spend the first 3 hours in prayer!". We need rest for our souls, too. Yet only 22% of Americans attend church every week. 50% never or seldom attend. 45% of "Scripture-reading" Americans read Scripture seldom or never. 8% read it "several times a year". Isn't it obvious that we all desperately need a time to pause? God knows that! That's why he came up with the concept of "Sabbath" (a Hebrew word that means "rest"). In the Old Testament, God's people had particular times when God told them they had to physically rest and be refreshed by spiritual blessings - to focus on the ultimate rest the Savior would bring. Today we want to see the incredible blessings God still wants to give us through his gift of rest.

By Pastor Quinn May 11, 2025
The world is full of talkers. There are plenty of people who say they care about you. But we are aware of what many of those people will do when it comes time to put those words into action. Jesus tells you in His Word that He cares for you dearly...that He would do anything for you...that He's leading you into the green pastures of paradise. How do you know you can trust Him? Simple. Jesus followed up His words with action. Jesus promised He would die to save you from your sin. He did. Scripture promised the Savior would rise from the dead, proving the payment for sins was complete. It happened. Jesus always does what he says. His every promise fullfiled. Jesus once illustrated that point in a striking metaphor, that of the Good Shepherd. All shepherds use words, calling to the sheep hoping they will follow. What sets the Good Shepherd apart is the fact that His words are followed by action, including His willingness to lay down His life for His sheep. Because He lives, we know Jesus is trustworthy and true.
By revjquinn May 4, 2025
If Jesus remained dead, all He would provide is an example of a beautiful life. Therefore, if Jesus remained dead, the mission of his followers would simply be to share advice. "Here is how Jesus would want us to love one another." Or "Jesus would want us to think about money like this." Or "This is how Jesus would pray." But because he lives, his followers now have a meaningful mission. It is not to share advice, but to testify to what we have seen and know to be to be true. Christ has risen! Thus, Jesus is not a standard, but our Savior. Jesus is nor primarily an example for this life, but the doorway into eternal life. His resurrection to glory will be the resurrection of all who put their faith in Him. Sharing that good news - that's our mission. The Sundays after Easter can seem like a bit of a letdown. Chances are the church isn't quite as full. There might not be a choir or special instruments to go along with our hymns. Even the lilies have begun to wilt or been pitched or planted. It might feel like the fun is all over. Wrong! The adventure as just begun. Because He lives! Therefore, we have a meaningful mission. Let us open our eyes to the privilege and the opportunity.
By Pastor Quinn March 30, 2025
This week we see how our Father makes the treasures of his house available to any and all. He places them in the last place we’d expect—the trash. In God’s family, the things the world prizes and pursues are counted as worthless. Conversely, what the world rejects and discards is considered priceless and worth pursuing. The best example of this is Jesus Christ himself. The Father sent his greatest treasure—God the Son —to earth. And many considered Jesus to be a trash that needed to be taken out. . . a troublemaker that needed to be killed. In truth, Christ is the precious cornerstone that God used to build his house, the one with the open door.
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