Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
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As we move through spring and turn our gaze toward summer, we are reminded of the profound connection between these seasons of renewal and the central event of our faith – the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. In the midst of blooming flowers, lengthening days and the promise of new beginnings, we find echoes of the eternal hope that springs forth from Christ's triumph over sin and death. The Apostle Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 15:20, "But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fall...
What is the definition of a parable? Well, if you google this question you get several thousand answers. For the purpose of this article, let’s define a parable this way: A parable is a story told by Jesus that draws us into it and communicates something important that connects to our own lives. Telling parables was Jesus’ favorite way to teach his disciples. Was it the most direct form of communication? Not really, but maybe that was the point. Parables invite us to wrestle and wonder and seek God’s wisdom as we enter the story. Jesus tells...
There is much for Americans to be fearful about these days; economic concerns, gun violence, the threat of terrorism, global pandemics, loss of faith in our government, the growing negative impact of AI and worldwide armed conflict to name a few. Some blame the media for overstating the danger we are in. Some blame the government and politicians. And some don’t feel the need to blame anyone because they believe all the fear is unwarranted. Wherever one falls on the spectrum of belief and blame, it is safe to say that we indeed are living in a...
When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven...
I have a good pastor friend named Scott who recently taught me about someone named Archimedes. Now some of you might know of Archimedes, but I had not. Well, maybe I had heard his name in seventh grade, but I’m pretty sure I’ve heard of him since then! Scott taught me that he is the most famous of the Ancient Greek mathematicians, and that he famously said, “Give me a lever long enough and a fulcrum on which to place it, and I shall move the world.” More info I just learned: A lever is one of the 6 types of simple machines – those machines...
Jesus said, “It is finished.” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. – John 19:30 Now, if this is where our story stopped, we would not be living as people of the resurrection. We would be stunted at the crossroads, having no clue where to go and what to do. We would not know who we are or where we were going. But thanks be to God, that is not where our story ends, that is just the beginning. God does something miraculous through Jesus Christ, so we are able to shout with joy-filled hearts on Easter Sunday, "CHRIST IS RISEN!" He is no...
As we approach the beginning of Holy Week, our hearts are filled with anticipation and reverence for the profound journey that lies ahead. Palm Sunday marks the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, a moment of celebration and jubilation for the people gathered there. Yet, woven within the palm branches and shouts of "Hosanna!" lies a deeper significance – a reminder of the paradoxical nature of Jesus' mission and our own call to remain humble in the midst of our complicated world. As we wave our palm branches and join in the chorus of p...
Grumbling seems to be a part of our human nature. We see it way back in the Old Testament, when the Israelites grumbled, telling Moses they would have been better off if they had stayed slaves in Egypt. In chapter 20 of Matthew’s gospel, Jesus tells the parable of the vineyard workers and there is lots of grumbling there too! They grumble because they are convinced that they are not getting what they deserve. Their gripe is made clear in verse 10, where we read, “They thought they would receive more.” Clint Eastwood was in a movie back in th...
Several years back. I was leading a youth summer trip to Montana. After riding all day on our charter bus, we finally reached our destination. As we were unloading all our stuff from the bus into the church building, I passed by the front doors several times. On each there was a decal with a cross that said, “We Believe.” That’s nice, I thought. But as I passed it again and again, something happened. I have no idea why on this particular day, when I had certainly seen and said the words “we believe” thousands of times in my life, my mind form...
Today, I want to delve into the wondrous and awe-inspiring event known as the Annunciation – a moment that forever changed the course of history and brought forth the Savior of the world. The Annunciation is a powerful testament to the mysterious and beautiful ways in which God works in our lives. In the Gospel of Luke, we find the account of the angel Gabriel appearing to the young virgin named Mary, announcing that she would conceive and bear the Son of God. The angel's words, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God." (...
Beloved Community of God, Pastor Amy writing to you today about community! I’ve been thinking a lot lately about what it means for all of us to be a community together, and also reflecting on how much this community has truly become my home over these last years. In 1 Peter 4:8–11, Peter explores the profound significance and transformative power of community in our Christian journey. 1 Peter 4:8: "Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins." In this verse, Peter implores us to place love at the for...
As we approach the season of Thanksgiving, it's a perfect time for us to reflect on the profound message found in 1 Thessalonians 5:18: "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." In this short but powerful verse, the Apostle Paul provides us with a timeless truth that transcends the boundaries of time and culture. "Give thanks in all circumstances" may seem like a challenging command, especially when faced with trials, hardships or uncertainties. However, embedded in these words is a profound...
Growing up in the church, I learned very early on that God was three in one. I remember that in Sunday school, my teacher read a really awesome book to us about the Trinity. It was called "Three in One." It was a bright green book with a drawing of an apple on the front cover. The book taught that in an apple there are three parts – the skin, the core and the white part we eat. Then the book taught us that just like there are three parts of the apple that are all the apple, there are three p...
Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable; it keeps no record of wrongs; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. – 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a Love is oh so lovely Most of us recognize this passage as the most common Scripture read at weddings. And rightfully so because it is so fitting. Weddings are lovely, and so is love, as described he...
The blinking line ... ︱ there it is ... ︱ and here I sit ... in front of my screen ... trying to think of something to write for this newsletter article ... and the blink blinks each time I stop typing ... taunting. ︱ ︱ ︱ I don’t have any ideas of what to write! Maybe I am over thinking this. Maybe the words don’t need to be profoundly new or revolutionary. What thoughts are rolling around in my head? And just like a flash, something occurs to me ... perhaps the blinking line is not a curse, but rather an opportunity. Perhaps, I just need a n...
In Romans 12:1-2, the Apostle Paul writes, “I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.” These verses call us to a deeper understanding of our role as Christians in the world and how we are to live out our faith. The first thing that Paul...
“And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father kn...
“And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your F...
“And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. “When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Fat...
Before becoming a pastor in 2020, I worked as a Children, Youth, and Family Minister for a couple of decades. One of the things I loved best about ministry with kids and youth was the amazing questions they asked. One of the most frequent questions, especially with older youth, was, “Do you have to go to church to be a Christian?” My immediate response was always, “Great question!” which was immediately followed by the inner thought, “Why are you asking?” Are you wondering about the requirements of God’s love for us? Are you worried about the s...
Growing up in the church, I learned very early on that our loving God is both one and three. There is one God and God is three: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Each is God separately, and all are God together. In Sunday school, my teachers read this wonderful book called "3 in 1" to me. Perhaps you too remember this book. It had a bright green cover and on the front was a drawing of an apple with a bite out of it. The book taught how in an apple, there are three parts – t...
At a recent gathering of Christian parents, we were discussing how hard it is to be a parent these days. It seems we are busier than ever, and rarely have time to stop and reflect on this most important job called parenting. We were discussing how it is they learn and become. One dad remarked, “As my boys grow, I am realizing that whether or not I acknowledge it, I am teaching them all the time. Some of it is good, and some not so good!” Every parent in the room nodded their head in agreement. His point was a really good one, a cautionary and...
The blinking line… | there it is… blink blink | | and here I sit… in front of my screen…trying to think of something to write for this sermonette article… and the blink blinks each time I stop typing…seemingly taunting me… I don’t you have anything to day? My answer to the voice in my head? NO! Apparently not! Summer writer’s block is a curse! Maybe I am over thinking this. Maybe the words don’t need to be profoundly new or revolutionary. And just like a flash, something occurs to me… perhaps the blinking line is not a curse, but rather an...
The Holy Spirit, in the work of creating life, gathers us into the community that is the church. This new life comes to us through the gifts of God’s word and through baptism and holy communion. These three can be termed as “means of grace”. They are visible signs of God’s love for us and promise to us. The waters of baptism bring new birth, as we are grafted by the Holy Spirit’s grace into Christ’s death and resurrection, and into the promise God made to Israel. The bread and the wine deliver to us the forgiveness of sin through the body an...
During my seminary studies, I took a full semester class on the Holy Spirit. Part of our assignment at the end of the semester was to write our own best definition of the Holy Spirit. Here's what I came up with: The Holy Spirit is a creative energy that is manifested in power and transforming love. As one of three persons of the Triune God, the Holy Spirit is more than energy, the Holy Spirit is personal, is relationship, is community. When Jesus was about to leave his disciples and ascend to the Father, he told them, “Go therefore and make dis...
