The Rock Church

Owner’s Manual by admin

“Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the aged, for I keep your precepts.” — Psalm 119:98-100

The clock radio alarm went off at 5:40 a.m.; I turned it off and got out of bed. My wife said, “What was the rest of that commercial? The one that was just on?” I said, “I didn’t hear.” (A statement to my auto-piloting when I get up.) She replied, “The commercial said, ‘If only there were an owner’s manual for relationships?’” However, since I turned it off, we will never know. 

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by admin
Tags: directions, guidance, instructions, Josh Whitney, life, manual, Purpose, radio, relationships, the rock church, Wisdom, work

What Do You Want? by admin

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” — Matthew 7:7-8 (NIV84)

We recently asked our kids for Christmas gift ideas. Some of them went above and beyond the call of duty. They sent us their “Wish List” from Amazon! Welcome to the technology age. This electronic wish list certainly proved to be very helpful. Specifically, it showed us that our kids took our request seriously; they knew what they wanted. I think God wants us to have the same heart attitude.

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by admin
Tags: ask, Bartimaeus, Bill Young, blind, Christmas, desire, desperate, gift, identity, jesus, list, longing, Mark, Matthew, prayer requests, request, respond, the rock church, trial, want, wish

Trust in Him at All Times by Caleb Yetton

“For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.” — Psalm 62:5-8

I’m not exactly sure what each of you is going through. But I know that, most likely, we are staring something in the face that brings us to a place of needing to trust Jesus. Perhaps in the past weeks (or in the coming weeks), you are wrestling with trusting Jesus. 

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by Caleb Yetton
Tags: caleb yetton, choice, doubt, endurance, faith, fear, heart, King David, pain, psalm, psalm 62, refuge, Rest, suffering, the rock church, trial, trust, Trusting, waiting

O Holy Night Christmas Series by The Rock Church

“O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining. It is the night of our dear Savior’s birth.” 

We sing these beautiful songs every year. But, how many of us take the time to think about the majestic (and powerful) words we’re actually singing? Their rich, theological significance is worth discovering. 

Posted in News, Series by The Rock Church
Tags: carols, Christmas, christmas eve, Christmas Eve Service, christmas season, christmas series, december, Draper, hymns, o holy night, Series, Sermon Series, the rock church, topical series, topical sermons, trc, Utah

Discipline, Testing, or Training? by admin

How do you want your life (or your children’s lives) to go? Smooth, easy, tranquil, and stress-free, I assume? I certainly doubt if anyone wakes up thinking, “I would like a lot of adversity today.” or “I hope my children experience some real hardships this week.”

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by admin
Tags: Children, confusion, doubt, hardship, Israelites, Josh Whitney, Joshua, Judges, Questions, shape, suffering, teach, test, the rock church, train, trial

Being Hospitable by Tony D'Amico

Not long ago, I taught about our church’s mission centered around “Winning the Lost, Building the Believer, and Sending the Sanctified”. We can approach this mission in several ways, but being hospitable certainly opens doors to winning others.

“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” — Hebrews 13:2 (ESV)

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by Tony D'Amico
Tags: build, fellowship, Generous, Home, hospitable, Hospitality, meeting, Mission, Outreach, pizza, send, the rock church, tony damico, welcoming, win

A Lot on My Mind by admin

I know we’re all busy. So many things occupy our thoughts and time. Some seasons are certainly busier than others. I’m in one of those seasons of life right now. With it comes overthinking, under-sleeping, and a good dose of worrying.

When I’ve got a lot going on, I make lists. To-do lists, to-buy lists, fix-it lists, need-to-schedule lists, calls-to-make lists, work lists, family lists, church lists…and on it goes. I even write my lists with a physical pen and paper! 

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by admin
Tags: anxiety, anxious, billy johnson, don't worry, Gifts, goals, lists, Matthew, mental health, mind, overwhelmed, Peace, Philippians, plans, request, supplication, thanksgiving, the rock church, to do, trial, Worship

Treasure by admin

Have you ever discovered a treasure? I can easily get caught up in treasure hunt shows on TV. I’m so eager for them to find something. It seems like most of the time, however, they chase a story or a tall tale. Unbelievably, the treasure somehow slipped past the previous 5,000 treasure hunters. In fact, most of the time, they don’t find anything.

My family knows I love treasure stories. About five years ago, they bought me a metal detector for Father’s Day. I think they figured I’d share with them if I found something! One time during a family gathering, I had fun with them . I pulled out the new metal detector and waved it over a spot in the yard where the grass annually faded into the shape of a gravesite. Of course, the metal detector made all kinds of noises, and we got several shovels out. We frantically dug, and everyone was surprised to find a concrete slab below the ground. At least almost everyone (I kind of knew what we’d see).

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by admin
Tags: digging, discover, find, gold, hidden, holy, jesus, Mac, silver, special, Steve McInroy, surprise, the rock church, treasure, unseen, wealth

With All Your Heart by admin

“You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart.” — 1 Peter 1:22

How many times a day do you hear the word “love”? It seems like I hear that word in every other sentence: “I love this song.”, “I love Chipotle.”, “I love Nike shoes.”, “I love what you’ve done with the place.”

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by admin
Tags: brothers, community, devotion, diversity, Family, Gifts, love, needs, Race, sacrifice, sisters, Steele Croswhite, the Body of Christ, the church, the rock church

Be Ready by admin

“Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.” — Matthew 25:13

We recently spoke at church about the inevitable return of Jesus Christ. We emphasized the importance of being ready for that day. Jesus certainly talked about His return many times in the gospels, especially in Matthew 24 and 25 (the Olivet Discourse). First, He shared signs of the end of the age. Then, He concluded with parables (to teach the importance of being ready).

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by admin
Tags: end times, Josh Whitney, prophecy, the rock church, Time