Matthew’s genealogy (Matthew 1:1-17), the royal “family tree” of Jesus, is a poetic, numeric defense of Christ’s right to the throne of David. He employs the number 14, the total numeric value of the consonants in the Hebrew name David (D=4, V=6, D=4), to accurately, … Read More
Christmas Irony
When it comes to Nativity scenes and Christmas plays, I think the least favorite part to play is probably a shepherd. In the few re-enactments I remember (and I use that word loosely), there weren’t many, if any, of us boys scrambling for the staff. … Read More
Our True Christmas Leader
We all know it’s Christmas. Just look around and you can easily see its December. But guess what else is going on right now? End-of-year political promises from our elected leaders. Just check out your inbox, blog feed, radio, TV, or the Internet and you’ll … Read More
God’s Preserving Power
For Thomas Watson, a Puritan preacher of the 1600’s, the doctrine of eternal security for the genuine believer was more than a bit of knowledge to store away for a spiritually rainy day. It was a wonder at which he marveled, and a comfort upon … Read More
Stick Figure savior
by Mandee Mostrom This is me. This is my god. My god is always good. My god is always right. Praise be to my god. I go to church every Sunday. Every Sunday that I am not hungover, sleeping in, or tired, I go to … Read More
Four Reasons God is Great
Psalm 96 has been dubbed the “Missionary Song of the Church” (HSBC). And for good reason—it shows the beautifully and powerfully connected relationship God’s people experience between our witness for God (vs 1-3) and our worship of God (vs. 7-13). Right in the middle of … Read More
A “Sovronic” Connection in Church Planting
Pastor Jason Laxton launches First Family Church of Albia, IA this Sunday, 9/29/19. Hear a quite “sovronic” story that helped this plant actually become a reality.
How NOT to Leave Your Church
Like it or not, people change churches. There is no shepherd or sheep exempt from this scenario. The good and the not-so-good of both deal with departure. Sometimes a switch is Spirit-led; sometimes it’s self-serving. Assuming God is actually directing your move to a new … Read More
Where Does Compassion Come From?
A few years ago an attender of our church asked me, on the heels of our series opener from Jonah, “So how can I have a deeper compassion for people, especially those who are not like me?” To be quite honest, I didn’t know what … Read More
My Short, Subcommittee Speech
On Tuesday of this week I was asked by the Family Leader to testify at a subcommittee hearing on Wednesday regarding support for Senate Joint Resolution 9, a bill that would amend the Iowa Constitution by adding a section (sec. 26) that says, “The Constitution … Read More