I’ve been reflecting on 1 Samuel 23:16 this week. “And Saul’s son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him find strength in God.” This was a remarkable thing for Jonathan to do given David was hiding from Jonathan's father and that David’s survival meant that...
The Lord has recently used both carrot and stick conversations to get me thinking about Sunday-morning worship participation. I’ll start with the “stick” and get to the “carrot” next week. This started in a meeting with other pastors from around town with one...
One British newscaster declared the queen’s death “a time we had all hoped would never happen.” Others on social media expressed similar disbelief. A lady interviewed on TV said, “I am shocked. I don’t know what to say.” Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson told...
I was convicted recently. I was listening to a sermon by a friend and he mentioned how he had caught himself escaping to binge watching Netflix and praying less. That stung because while it isn’t Netflix for me, my distractions are just as useless. Maybe you can...
I’ve been meditating on Ecclesiastes 3:1-12 this week. This is the passage that reminds us that there is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the sun. I think what has drawn me to this text is that time feels very muddled right now. For example,...
https://youtu.be/ucQ6vpfdIjg Fall brings all kind of new routines, and at First Pres, that means new opportunities to fuel your walk with Jesus by connecting to others in one of our many discipleship groups. Here's a rundown of what's starting. Sunday Mornings We...
Many of our students are starting school during these few weeks. We pray for them and our teachers. We invite you to use this prayer in your individual and family prayer times this week. :: God of all knowledge and wisdom, Proverbs tells us that “the fear of the...
What a mess! In the thick of reading through the Old Testament accounts of the various kings who ruled God’s people, the bleakness of a life without God is on full display. Over and over, you read that king after king “did what was evil in God’s sight,” and that those...
First Pres supports local mission agencies throughout the year. This month, our mission focus is New Creation, which is fighting human trafficking by offering survivor-made goods and fair trade accessories in their shops and providing prevention education. We asked...
Students from our area colleges and universities are heading back in town, and we are ready to welcome them to the community and serve them this academic year. Here are two ways you can do help now. Block Party in the Burg More than 4,000 JMU freshmen will be coming...