Mercy is Tough

Posted on by Shannon

Half the books in the library seem to be about tough people who solve crimes. They’re always good-looking, muscular, and have interesting personalities; but most of the time they don’t care about people. Jesus taught us to do something that’s even tougher to do: “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” (Luke 6:36).

Why is it tough to be merciful? Because it goes against everything we normally want to do. The easy thing is to take revenge, gossip about somebody, or refuse to forgive. It’s much harder to show some mercy to someone you don’t like, or who has done something against you. We want to react in kind. Jesus commands us not to. That’s the tough part. Continue reading →

The Courage of Love

Posted on by Shannon

Some days it seems that the world is very cold. It feels like you are in the way and everyone wants to run over you. No one seems to care. Days like that cause us to seek refuge in those whom we know love us: family, good friends, and those who depend on us.

However, Jesus once again surprises us. He said, “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.” (Luke 6:32). There is nothing admirable about loving people who are willing to return the same love to you. Everybody does that. Jesus challenges us to love those who won’t. Continue reading →

The Risks of Kindness

Posted on by Shannon

Shocking words: “Love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return.” (Luke 6:35).  It’s not good enough to just lend to friends and people who are low risk.  For “even sinners lend to sinners in order to receive back the same amount” (v.34).  These statements at first seem irresponsible and reckless.  Wouldn’t we become impoverished if we threw money around like that? Continue reading →

We Are Your Friends

Posted on by Shannon

We welcome our guests today.  We’re so pleased to have David Knutson as our speaker.  He is a friend to our congregation, and we hope you also feel at home.

Friendship is a precious thing.  It’s rare in life to have close friends for any great length of time.  But in Christ it is different.

At the end of John’s third letter he said, “The friends greet you.  Greet the friends by name.” (3 John 14).  Why did John put it this way?  Why didn’t he call these Christians brethren, or saints, as others did?  He was trying to make an important point: we need to look after each other, especially if your are a brother or sister in Christ.  Life is worthwhile when we have caring friends.  The apostle is also saying that Jesus considered his chosen men to be his friends, not just followers.  “I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you.” (John 15:15). He felt close to them and was willing to share eternal secrets with them.  He treated them special. Continue reading →

Friend’s Day – Sunday March 1st, 2015

Posted on by Shannon

Only a few more days until our Friend’s Day!  We will be welcoming guest speaker, David Knutson, from Waterloo to deliver a message from God’s Word.  Bible study and Sunday School will begin at 10:00 am and worship service will begin at 11:00 am followed by a potluck lunch.

Please join us for this special event!  We look forward to seeing you and sharing in fellowship.