Healthy Communication Hello Church Family, Please know this: You have been prayed for this week. I have brought you before the Lord, and asked him to give each of us the grace to humble ourselves before him that he may lift us up at the proper time (1 Peter 5:6). Over the past two-and-a-half years,… Continue Reading
A Sludge of Self-Help Solutions Hello Church Family, I have been praying for you this week, that God would cause you (and me) to embody in increasing measure the fruits of the Spirit: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, [for] against such things there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23). As I mentioned in Sunday’s sermon, someone… Continue Reading
Sovereignty and Freedom in an African Bungalow Hello Church Family, The small wind-up clock fastened to the edge of an oak-trimmed desk had stickers on one side that read: Mennonite Guest House. The glow-in-the-dark hands on its black face constantly reminded me that it was after midnight and I was in the middle of nowhere.… Continue Reading
The Tree Has Fallen Dear Church Family, I’ve been praying much for you this week, that God would enable you to find your encouragement in the Lord (1. Sam 30:6). We’ve had an incredible amount of rain this week, haven’t we? In the almost six years that I’ve lived in Corona, I can’t recall experiencing… Continue Reading
This week, Pastor John hands over the TAGD keyboard to Scott Williams, Northpoint’s Pastor of Adults and Families. Looking Forward to Five Key Northpoint Events in 2016 Hello Church Family, If you are like me, you can hardly believe we are closing out 2015 and gearing up for 2016. Where does the time go? However,… Continue Reading
Christmas Eve Hello Church Family, I often hear parents of adult children talk about how much pleasure they derive from getting everyone together for the holidays. I know my own mother is giddy with excitement when my sister’s crew, as well as mine, join her in the mountains of middle Tennessee. But making such a… Continue Reading
This week, Pastor John hands over the TAGD keyboard to Pastor Brent Whitefield, Northpoint’s Pastor of Missions and Outreach. O Come, O Come Hello Church Family, As I compared notes with some of my colleagues recently, we agreed that many of the carols that we sing during the Advent season contain some of the richest… Continue Reading
Unhindered Worship Hello Church Family, I’m looking forward to this upcoming Lord’s Day. We’re going to sing some classic Christmas songs (among others), pray and participate in communion together, and hear a word from our God. I was reading in the Scriptures this week about the transition in Israel’s leadership between King Saul and his… Continue Reading
The Shortcomings of Sympathy Hello Church Family, I hope you’ve been able to rest in God’s grace this week. I’ve been praying for you. Occasionally, I will pick up an article or listen to a podcast by Dr. Brene Brown, a trending speaker and research professor at the University of Houston Graduate College of Social… Continue Reading
A Hundred Mothers Hello Church Family, I hope you’re enjoying a break from your normal routine. It’s Thanksgiving morning as I write this piece, and I’m sitting on my couch, snacking on warm orange rolls, skillfully prepared by my daughter. In a few hours, we’ll head out to spend the day with friends from Northpoint.… Continue Reading