The Blessing of Death

Dear Brothers and Sisters of FAC

Think about this. Had God not proclaimed a death sentence on Adam and Eve, post fall, they would have had to live forever in a world severed from its creator, alone and afraid. If scientists discovered a way for us to live forever in the world as we know it, would you really want it? Yes, God did punish Adam and Eve by telling them they would die, but death was also a blessing. It told them they would not have to live forever in this broken world in these broken bodies. The harshness of working, of child bearing pain, conflict and turmoil would be short lived. What seemed to be a cruel consequence to sin also became a merciful way out. It told Adam that it would not always be this way. And we know that ultimately Jesus stepped into this brokeness, took on himself the full brunt of Adam's punishment, and by dying and rising again gave us the hope and provision of life after this death. Suddenly being sick doesn't sound so bad. When sick, I am reminded that this body has to die before I can enter the experience of a new body placed in a new and restored climate totally free from the reality of sin.

I sure look forward to worshipping with you this Sunday as we gather in a the crowded room of Capernaum in Mark 2 where Jesus restores the hope of a man paralyzed by sin. The sin of Adam worked its way down centuries to affect this man's life, physically and spiritually. But here before him stood the new Adam with a new hope and a new offer. LIFE. It's why he came! Ultimately, whether you are sick or just struggling with life, you and I have a lot to look forward to. Sickness and the harshness of living in this world, remind us that something better is ahead. I cannot wait and in the meantime I am thankful that God, in his mercy, gave us all a way out of this.

Drinking Deep during Depression

Dear Brothers and Sisters of FAC

10% of Americans suffer from depression and it seems the stats do not vary that much for believers. The difference for believers of course, is in our hope. God made us emotional beings and those emotions are often impacted by the realities of living in a broken world. There is nothing shameful about depression! You might not suffer from depression but you know someone who does. Psalm 13 not only give us a place to identify with King David as he suffered depression, but the Psalm also offers a place to identity and rest in the victory offered to us by Jesus. I have shared with you before that I suffered for three years during High School with severe depression. During those dark years something deep in me led me to believe that this would not last forever. It was as though I was grasping the hand of the Holy Spirit as he led me down a long tunnel. The first bends were dark and cold, but eventually I could feel a breeze of assurance that the darkness would not last and the final turn revealed a glorious light and I have been walking in that light ever since. John 10:10 tells us that the thief comes ONLY to kill, steal and destroy but Jesus revealed that he came ONLY to offer life and life to the full. I want to talk about that life this Sunday knowing that many of you will be deeply encouraged as we come around this beautiful Psalm.

I sure look forward to worshipping with you this Sunday.

Pastor Mitch

Lets Meet at the Well

Amy Carmichael wrote: "Drink from the well, not from rivers which flow from the well". We are most nourished and only nourished when we discover how sufficient Jesus is. We only need to come to him and exchange our bucket for his. What he offers quenches the greatest thirst and fills the deepest recesses of our soul. Jesus came to transform lives. He came to offer hope. He came to offer Living Water in exchange for water that keeps making us thirsty. Have you really met Jesus? Are you drinking from his well? I sure look forward to joining you around the Well in John 4 this coming Sunday. Bring your bucket, but be ready to exchange it for His!

The Value of a glass of Water!

What do you do when you are really thirsty? If you were to go three days without water and I put in front of you a box of chocolate and a glass of water I would venture a guess that your hand would lunge for the glass of water. When thirsty, the glass of water has great value. There is a huge difference between what we want and what we need and what we need becomes most evident in our times of desperation. This Sunday I will preach the first of three sermons on the subject of THIRST! Jesus stood before the huge crowd celebrating the Feast of Tabernacle and offered what even the greatest day of the feast could not offer! WATER! Living Water! Himself! And He promised that any who come to him thirsty and drink out of him will flow rivers of living water. (John 7:37-38)

I sure look forward to worshipping with you this Sunday. Come thirsty!

Pastor Mitch