Hang on or hang up…

A few minutes ago, I was putting some final touches on my sermon for Sunday. I want to end our Advent Series, “Embracing Eternity” from the Psalms well.  I also want to provide some practical ways to begin 2024 as an opportunity to know Jesus and make Him known.

So after several hours of reading and learning from Psalm 77, the phone rang.

There was a hesitation on the other end, and I thought it was probably someone selling something…however, since it’s the church phone, I have to be nice 😊.

But I was wrong.

The voice on the other end said he was from Reno, NV…I then assumed he was going to ask for money for a bus ticket out here to KC…

Wrong again.

He told me about a nephew who was struggling with life here in KC and needed some help. The more details he shared with me, the more I softened.

It was at this point, that the Scriptures I had been studying began to break through the walls I had built from many people attempting to take advantage of the church by asking for money over the phone.

As we neared the end of the phone call, the guy on the other end of the phone told me he wasn’t very religious, but he figured a church would be the best place to turn with problems.

When I heard this I was rebuked for my skeptical thoughts and grateful I hadn’t verbalized what I had been thinking. He assured me he would call his nephew next and ask him to attend church on Sunday. I told him we were here to help.

Then God led me to ask him if I could pray with him over the phone. He replied, “Sure I can always use prayer.” After I prayed we said our goodbyes and then I realized, “God had me here at the church to answer this call to offer hope and encouragement through Jesus Christ.”

As I look ahead to the sermon for Sunday, I believe God has plenty of opportunities for you and me to share hope through the Gospel in 2024. Imagine if each of us took just one opportunity a day to offer hope or share encouragement…I believe Paul was right when he wrote, “But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him.” (1 Cor. 2:9)

I am looking forward to seeing everyone on Sunday, but I’m really looking forward to all God has planned for 2024.

I hope to see you at 8:00, 9:15 (Full KidCity available), or 10:45 am (Full KidCity available), or you can watch the Livestream on YouTube (Like and Subscribe) or Facebook at 9:15 am. Additionally, we are also publishing our sermons on Spotify.

Happy New Year,
Troy
P.S. I would love for you to check out our Beyond Campaign.

Favorite Traditions…

Christmas is a time for favorite traditions.

If you are like me, you probably have some favorite Christmas songs (Gloria in Excelsis Deo-sung loudly in my best dad voice 😊)

…favorite Christmas movies (Die Hard J/K 😊…It’s a Wonderful Life)

…favorite Christmas sweaters (anything quarter zip)

…favorite Christmas food (fonduing on Christmas Eve)

…favorite Christmas stories (skating till after the stores closed and eating Christmas Eve Dinner at Carrabba’s…instead of fonduing)

…favorite Christmas memories (anytime we are all together playing games or watching movies by the fire)

…favorite Christmas services (don’t forget we are gathering on Christmas Eve for our candlelight services at 5:00 & 7:00pm 😊)

But Christmas is more than favorite traditions. Christmas is also a time to give and receive gifts as expressions of our love.

As a kid, I remember looking through the Montgomery Ward Catalog and dreaming about toys I might get. However, as I grew older, I began to enjoy giving as much or more than receiving gifts.

Now, my favorite part of Christmas is finding out the gifts Leigh-Ann and I gave the kids when they open them 😊 IYKYK.

Whether we are building traditions, spending time with loved ones or giving gifts, Christmas is a time to express our love.

But what is love?

Is love something we can purchase and give away? Of course not. Is love a warm, fuzzy feeling? No. Is love an ongoing tradition? Not exactly.

Love is an unconditional, sacrificial, and selfless choice, that seeks the best for others, regardless of the personal benefit.

The greatest example of love is Jesus in a manger who lived to die on the cross. And this love must be received before it can be given.

This Sunday we will study the love of Jesus as described in Psalm 76 to those people who were living in exile. This same love that was expressed in the manger of Bethlehem and the cross on Golgotha is offered to us today.

There is so much more to discuss, I hope to see you at 8:00, 9:15 (Full KidCity available), or 10:45 am (Full KidCity available), or you can watch the Livestream on YouTube (Like and Subscribe) or Facebook at 9:15 am. Additionally, we are also publishing our sermons on Spotify.

Merry Christmas,
Troy

Solo…

This past week, we were able to attend the elementary Christmas program at Isaiah and Ian’s school.

To be honest, after five kids, the elementary program is typically one of my least favorite things to do…don’t judge me (because Pastor Don is preaching about judgment and joy this Sunday 😊).

This time, however, I was really looking forward to the program because Ian was given a solo. A few months ago, he came home and announced he was going to try out for a solo. I nodded and kept eating dinner without much thought.

Then a few weeks later, he came home and told us he was selected for the solo.

Ok!

And for the past several weeks, we have been able to listen to him practice (such a blessing 😊). He also knew exactly what he wanted to wear, so Leigh-Ann ordered his wardrobe.

This man was looking good!

The evening arrived and we found our seats. All six of us pulled out our phones to record and remember Ian’s first solo. I think we were more nervous than he was…

We watched song after song starting with kindergarten…and finally, we got to the fifth graders…and then the song that included Ian’s solo.

Ian knocked it out of the park…he was awesome. And while he was singing, I looked down the row and every single one of us family members had our arms outstretched taking photos and videos.

When he finished, I wanted to let out a joyful “Let’s Goooooooooooooooooo!!!!!”

Whether it is a solo, a challenge, or even our spiritual lives, when we are put to a test and then pass with flying colors, we experience the joy that can be hard to describe.

This Sunday, we continue our Advent sermon series through Asaph’s Psalms with a closer look at Psalm 75. Pastor Don will be offering a sermon that shows us despite judgment, God’s eternal provision brings joy.

Whether the tough times are now or back during the time of Jesus or even back to the exile when God’s people sang these songs, we can always look forward to our eternal joy. There is so much more to discuss, I hope to see you at 8:00, 9:15 (Full KidCity available), or 10:45 am (Full KidCity available), or you can watch the Livestream on YouTube (Like and Subscribe) or Facebook at 9:15 am. Additionally, we are also publishing our sermons on Spotify.

Have a great evening,
Troy

Aux….

Recently we were driving in the car, going back and forth about who gets “Aux” (the person who gets to pick the songs). In case you are wondering, everyone in our family is competitive, so “Aux” can become a dual of sorts.

There are some days when it’s a non-issue and others when it feels like a life-and-death situation. On the days when competition is fierce, there is no room for error.

A song with a “mid” beginning will get criticized immediately, then the argument is to “wait…it gets better”…and typically at the point the “aux” is forfeited.

Tough crowd!

A few days ago, we had this exact situation…it was a “sad song” and we were trying to get pumped up for a game or practice. The “aux” was stripped away and then we had a conversation about sad songs.

One of the kids made the point that most of his songs are sad…I was a little surprised, but asked why….he didn’t really know so he simply said, “I just like sad songs.”

Fair enough!

For some people sad songs are easier to relate to or sad songs might evoke feelings of nostalgia or even offer space for reflection. 

Personally, I like “happy” songs….in fact, the song “Happy” by Pharrell Williams is in my head as I write.

But life is not always happy. In fact, as we head into this Holiday Season, happiness might seem like an unattainable dream.

Happiness and sadness are a part of life. There are some days, seasons, and even years when we experience sadness and then other times when we are happy.

On the other hand, peace is available 24/7, 365 days out of the year.

This Sunday, we continue our Advent series through the Psalms of Asaph with a study of Psalm 74. This is a “sad song” it’s a lament and it carries some strong feelings. It also offers incredible hope and the promise of peace in spite of circumstances.

So, whether I get the “Aux” any time soon or not, I have been encouraged by the peace offered in Psalm 74…and that lasts forever. There is much more to share on Sunday, including some updates about our building project.

I hope to see you at 8:00, 9:15 (Full KidCity available), or 10:45 am (Full KidCity available), or you can watch the Livestream on YouTube (Like and Subscribe) or Facebook at 9:15 am. Additionally, we are also publishing our sermons on Spotify.

Have a great weekend and enjoy some good music,
Troy

Hope….

Welcome to the first day of December! I had a conversation with someone earlier today, and it struck me how, during this season, time seems to slip away, and suddenly Christmas is upon us.

The calendar is now brimming with Christmas programs, festive parties, and various celebratory events. Our church life is bustling with advent activities and excitement. In our household, with five children and a lively dog, the holiday season translates to a multitude of stockings to fill and gifts to exchange. Of course, there are plenty of opportunities to serve those God brings into our path.

And if this season of the year is not enough, our two youngest boys are each trying out a new sport. Isaiah is wrestling and Ian has started to learn Taekwondo.

They have wanted to try out these sports for a long time and…tis the season. 😊

Ian is attending POW Martial arts…and it has been awesome. Leigh-Ann took him to his first session and could tell from the beginning he was in his element. He loves every part of the classes and as soon as its over, can’t wait to attend again.

Isaiah has joined Greater Heights Wrestling and is also loving it. Since his first practice, he has been locked in and soaking it all up like a sponge.

These sports do more than fill up a calendar, they represent the beginning of a journey. And like any journey there will be highs and lows.

While growing in martial arts and wrestling, the boys will have some great moments…that we will likely catch on camera and post on social media. They will also experience some low points…anything from a loss to an injury could make for a pretty rough day. We will probably keep that to ourselves.

The same is true in life!

There will be times when it seems like life is going pretty smoothly….and then in an instant, it could feel hopeless.

How can you and I retain hope during the low points?

This Sunday, we begin our new Advent sermon series in the Psalms entitled, Embracing Eternity. We will study Psalm 73 where we will learn that God’s goodness offers hope.

During life’s complexities, our steadfast hope is revealed through Jesus—the humble manger-born Savior who fully embraced humanity, confronted death and lives forevermore.

As we celebrate His incarnation, we are encouraged to hang on lightly to this world and tightly to the next. In addition to the sermon, we will celebrate Advent with readings and candles in our freshly decorated auditorium.

I hope to see you at 8:00, 9:15 (Full KidCity available), or 10:45 am (Full KidCity available), or you can watch the Livestream on YouTube (Like and Subscribe) or Facebook at 9:15 am. Additionally, we are also publishing our sermons on Spotify.

Have a great weekend and stay warm,
Troy