COVID Puppy…

Last summer, we got a new COVID puppy we’ve named Gratzi. After being cooped up in quarantine, I softened to the pleading voices of my kids and agreed to dog #2 (pun intended).

When Gratzi burst onto the scene, our two dogs didn’t quite know how to handle each other, Zoe was very territorial and Gratzi was annoying.

In spite of the early challenges, it was really good timing since only a few months later, our senior dog, Zoe, died.

Gratzi has really settled in and become a close member of our family. And I have to admit; she is already my favorite. I mean, our kids are nice and all, but Gratzi is….JUST KIDDING 😊.

She is super snuggly and always wants to be touching someone. In fact, it’s almost always a competition to see who Gratzi will pick to lean on…there is something really great about her companionship, even if it took a bit for everyone to become acquainted.

Each of us in the family has had our moments when she will come and snooze on us…and when she has chosen me, it makes me feel pretty good, though I typically won’t admit it at the time 😊.

This Sunday, Pastor Dave will preach as we continue our OneKC sermon series from Mark 1:14-3:12. We will study how Jesus bursts onto the scene announcing a new Kingdom has come.  The announcement of a new kingdom raised questions and created conflict. It took some time for people to get used to a message proclaiming, “repent and believe the good news.”

In fact, many still deny or reject His Kingdom, but for those who receive it, He has given the power to become children of God.

If you are struggling to make sense of our current world or wonder what it would be like to have a constant companion to be with you through the toughest of times, you won’t want to miss the services this Sunday at 8:00, 9:15, or 10:45 am. Or you can jump online at 10:45 am on YouTube and Facebook.

Have a great weekend,
Troy

Brrrrr…

This past week has been cold…like really, really cold. And I’m from Minnesota.

One of my least favorite things to do when the temperature is low is to get into a cold car.

You know the feeling…the seats are frozen and hard, the air is cold and the chill drives right to the bone.

It’s even worse when it snows and the windows need to be cleared…you know that miserable feeling. Looking around your back seat or trunk for a snow scraper and then without gloves having to clear off the car.

And then, after you get the car just clear enough to see safely, you jump in and it’s blowing cold air.

When I get into a freezing cold car and feel chilled to the bone, I have to remind myself of one thing…

It will warm up soon!

The all-encompassing desire I have for warmth is called HOPE.

And since I’ve been in a freezing cold car many times, I know that within a few minutes the internal air will start to heat up and within about fifteen minutes my cold bones will begin to feel it.

So what about those times when we hope for something to happen and it never does?

This is the point of our sermon text from Mark 1:1-13. God had promised Abraham he would become the father of a great nation and the Messiah would come from that nation. And for more than 2,000 years, the descendants of Abraham hoped they would be able to see and experience the fulfillment of that promise.

And finally, Jesus came and has provided eternal hope.

If you are in a place where you need a good dose of hope, then you should really plan to join us for in-person service at 8:00, 9:15, or 10:45 am. Or you can jump online at 10:45 am on YouTube and Facebook.

And here is some hope to get you through until then, the sun has been coming out, the temps have been rising and the snow is melting…even 35 degrees feels warm.

I hope you stay warm and have a great evening,
Troy
Prayer: Please keep all those who are still without power or shelter in your prayers.
Announcement: Tomorrow morning we are hosting a Men’s Breakfast at New Life. The food will be great and Pastor Don will be leading a discussion about how to be an influencer in our workplace. I hope to see you there.

I don’t really love Valentine’s Day…

I LOVE my Valentine however I don’t really love Valentine’s day.

Here’s why….

If I’m not careful, Valentine’s day can quickly change from an opportunity to communicate love into an obligation to fulfill the expectations of others.

The marketing says, “if you love your Valentine, you will buy our products and fancy dinners to communicate to your valentine and everyone else around, you know how to love.”

After being married for more than 21 years, I would say my Valentine is AMAZING. But not because she buys me products or writes me a card on Valentine’s day.

Leigh-Ann loves me well when she supports my crazy ideas, stays loyal for decades, laughs at my jokes, trusts in my leadership, pours herself into our kids and our home and our ministry and sacrifices from early in the morning to late at night. Her love is calculated by her everyday commitment to God, me and our kids.

This is so much deeper than living up to the expectations of the marketers.

And this is why I think religion is like Valentine’s day…If I’m not careful, my faith can also become more like an obligation to fulfill the expectations of others.

This is religion…

In fact, religion has more to do with the expectations of people observing my relationship with Jesus than the core of my relationship with Jesus.

Religion pressures me to perform at a level that is deemed acceptable by those around me, whereas a healthy relationship with Jesus is natural and deep and independent of the approval of those around me.

This Sunday, we begin a sermon series with more than a hundred other churches in Kansas City and more than fifteen other countries called, “One Thing.”

We will study from the Gospel of Mark on Sundays, host discussion groups throughout the week and challenge everyone to read through the Gospels in forty days starting on February 17^th. Simply download the Bible.Is App and join the “One Thing” reading plan.

This Sunday, we will study from Mark 10:46-52 about the time when Jesus healed Blind Bartimaeus. Jesus healed him, because He loved him. This love was expressed when Jesus healed Bartimaeus physically and even more when He died for him on the cross.

I hope you can attend in-person at 8:00, 9:15, or 10:45 am or online at 10:45 am on YouTube and Facebook.
Stay warm, have a great evening and don’t forget Valentine’s day 😊,
Troy

Truth Defined or Re-Defined…

This week I’ve noticed a growing excitement about the big game this Sunday. It seems like EVERYONE believes Patrick Mahomes and company will come out of Tampa with the “W.” At least that is what we all want to happen.

When it comes to game day, I am willing to do my part to help my team win. Sometimes that means carrying forward the tradition of wearing the same Jersey on game day or eating the same food or always coming to church first 😊.

This competitive nature also means I can be incredibly judgmental about the referees. If there is a bad call, I am happy to voice my disagreement. If and when Andy Reid throws the red flag, I will look forward to the referee having to overturn a bad call.

However, at the same time, if the mistake is in the Chiefs favor, I will hope there isn’t a good enough camera angle to overturn the decision.

Too often, I want the truth to be what I want it to be and not necessarily what it is.

This can also occur when it comes to faith. In our world today, there is a growing trend to re-define truth in accordance with how an individual wants to define it.

The problem is this mentality creates many “truths” and the final arbiter becomes the individual. Can you imagine if football was played this way?

What if the cornerback was able to define pass interference for the game…yeah…that wouldn’t work out too well. Re-defining truth never does work out too well…

This Sunday, I am really looking forward to hearing a sermon from an NLCC Teaching Elder, Gabor Gresz from John 18:33-40 entitled, Truth-Defined or Re-Defined.”

I hope you can attend in-person at 8:00, 9:15, or 10:45 am or online at 10:45 am on YouTube and Facebook.

Stay safe and have a great evening,
Troy