Dear Friends, Recently, I was in a store that was displaying new Christmas merchandise. I spotted a large decorative sign for sale that boldly proclaimed, “We Believe!” I smiled, and thought, "How wonderful to see such a strong declaration of faith." As I got closer, I realized that the sign. [...]
Dear Friend in Christ: We live in amazing times and so much of what we encounter is unexpected. Recently, I boarded a plane that would take me back home. The plane was full except for the seat beside me. Then a young woman came and sat in the seat beside. [...]
Dear Friend in Christ: I pray you are well. Oftentimes, we are tested on the message we preach. And so it has been this month as I have been preparing this message. I will say, with great gratitude, that God has been faithful to bring us through “many dangers, toils,. [...]
Dear Friend in Christ: My two previous pastoral letters were about the Beatitudes—attitudes that bring favor in hard places. In this letter I want to discuss courage. Courage is not manifest in easy times; it is revealed in hard places. Our Lord was courageous, and courage is contagious! He is. [...]
Dear Friend in Christ: My previous letter began a two-part series on the Beatitudes (Beautiful attitudes) from Matthew chapter 5:1-16. In that letter, we examined the poor in spirit, grief over our condition, meekness and hungering for righteousness (see verses 1-6). This letter will give a brief examination of verses. [...]
Dear Friend in Christ: When the Lord leads us to a passage, it is not merely academic; His guidance is always preparatory. Back in February, I tried to cover Matthew 5:1-16 in one letter; I could not. In fact, books could be and have been written, but these are mostly. [...]
Publication:Pastoral Letter, February 2021 Dear Friend in Christ: Psalm 11 raises an important question: “If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?” (Psalm 11:3). The verse prior tells us that the righteous are under attack. So, not only are the foundations removed, but those who stand up on. [...]
Publication:Pastoral Letter, January 2021 Happy New Year! From all of us at CSM, we thank you for your love, faithfulness, and prayers in 2020. We pray the Lord will sustain, guide, and refresh you as we enter 2021. Years ago, I learned that we would be tested on what we. [...]
Publication:Pastoral Letter, December 2020 Dear Friend in Christ: Grace and peace to you in the Name of the Lord! We are nearing the end of one of the most tumultuous and challenging years in recent history. Recently, I was thinking about 2020, and I said to myself, “This has been. [...]
Publication:Pastoral Letter, November 2020 Dear Friend in Christ: We can know God through Jesus Christ, but the mystery of God and godliness remains. The new birth is wonderful, but it is only the beginning of our journey to know God. The Gospel of John, chapters 14-16 are among the final. [...]
Publication:Pastoral Letter, October 2020 Dear Friend in Christ, In 1986, our friend Don Moen recorded a beautiful song that was released by Integrity’s Hosanna Music entitled, “Give Thanks.” That song has been heard and appreciated by millions of people worldwide. King David wrote in Psalm 100, “I will enter His. [...]
Publication:Pastoral Letter, September 2020 Dear Friend in Christ: Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus! Last month, I wrote to you about “Light for Life.” It doesn’t take a prophet to see the darkness, but it does take God’s grace for us to see the light in the midst. [...]