Pastor Brad’s Notebook

30 Dec

Posted at 11:35h in Pastoral Ministry/Leadership
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TheGod1[1]This coming Sunday, January 5, 2014, I plan on beginning a new series of studies on the doctrine of God. I have entitled this series of messages The God Who Is There after Francis Shaeffer's masterful book of the same title. I'm really excited about this new sermon series because of what I believe the Holy Spirit will do in His church as we take time to think about and meditate more on our great God.

27 Dec

Posted at 02:47h in Uncategorized
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2014 goals on digital tabletOk, I admit it - I'm a goal setter. I was just made that way. It's a natural part of my personal makeup. It's not something that I have to struggle through like some of my friends. In fact, it's something that I have to consciously not focus so much on at times. There are times when I have to take a deep breath, step back and realize that relationships are more important than "taking the next hill." (Then, after a friendly talk over coffee, an hour hanging out in the office, or a handshake and hug - I go back to see where I am in the process of reaching the goal.)

24 Dec

Posted at 17:48h in Holidays and Special Days
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This Christmas I want to share a beautiful song written by Rev. George Matheson, "the Blind Bishop of Edinburgh," in the late 1800's.  The words are simply powerful and the theology is tight. He was blessed with a way with words that puts your mind on things above.  I pray it blesses your heart and feeds your soul as much as it has mine.

20 Dec

Posted at 20:11h in Devotionals
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When we open the pages of our Bible, we encounter what many Christians refer to as “the book of beginnings.” And in Genesis 3:15 I believe that we discover one of the greatest Christmas verses in the entire Bible. The book of Genesis is, of course, the book of “firsts.”  Here we find the first day, the first planet, the first plant, the first ocean, the first mountain, the first animal, the first fish, the first bird, the first man, the first woman, and even the first promise ever given in the Word of God. It’s a powerful, personal promise concerning the coming of Christ into a world that had rebelled against the Father’s command. The result of such disobedience is a fallen, terrible condition which the Bible calls “sin.”  In the wake of this terrible decision, God gives to a subtle, slimy, sneaky serpent (and us as well), “the Promise of Christmas.”