The Rock Church

Deep Underground

“Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheo, you are there!” — Psalm 139:7-8
 
Recently, my family and I had a chance to hike up to Timpanogos Cave National Monument. The hike was fairly steep, hot, and pretty exposed in some areas. Once we made it to the cave entrance, however, we entered a very different world. 

The cave was 50 degrees colder than the outside air temperature. We had to put on coats in the middle of summer! Plus, the cave air was humid; it was a stark contrast from the hot, dry, summer air outside. We spent an hour hiking through the cave. At one point, the ranger tour guide made everyone turn off their flashlights. It was so dark that you couldn’t see your hand in front of your face. You couldn’t tell if your eyes were open or closed. The ranger said our eyes would NEVER adjust to the complete darkness. My kids and I later discussed being deep in the cave without any lights.  
 
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Posted in A Word from the Pastor by admin

Sickness

 
“The Lord sustains them on their sickbed and restores them from their bed of illness.” — Psalm 41:3
 
Evidently “Tis the season… to be sick!” I’ve heard of a lot of people being hit with the crud these past few months – including some of our pastors. 
 
I thought I had dodged a bullet. But, I ended up going “down” hard and have been battling the bug for the past few weeks. It started with drainage and cold symptoms. Then on to feeling yucky and massive runny nose. Finally, a sinus and ear infection (with dizziness that made me throw up, just for kicks)! After two rounds of antibiotics, I’m starting to feel better.  
 
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Be A Barnabas

“Those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.” — Proverbs 11:25b

Four weeks ago, my 93-year old Nana, went to be with our Lord in eternal paradise. She was a true matriarch of our family who thoroughly enjoyed her crossword puzzles — she completed them faithfully, every day. While preparing for her funeral, my mom asked me to send her adjectives that I thought would describe my grandmother; they wanted to put together a “Nana crossword” in her memory. As I’ve thought about how my Nana will be remembered by us (with such favor), I’ve been asking myself how I think my life will be remembered?

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Posted in A Word from the Pastor by Caleb Yetton

Reminder

Thanks to my iPhone, I am constantly reminded about what’s going on in my life. My calendar reminds me about meetings I need to attend and bills that need to be paid. Facebook reminds me about memories from five years ago. And countless sports apps notify me on player injuries, game times, and the latest trade rumors. Better still is that I don’t really have to think to be reminded; they just ‘POP-UP’ on my phone. Instant reminder.

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Traps

“If a bird sees a trap being set, it knows to stay away.” — Proverbs 1:17 (NLT)

I find a bit of irony in this verse. As human beings, most of us would say we are smarter than birds — that we can make better decisions for ourselves than birds can. But, it’s pretty clear from this verse that when a bird sees a trap being set, it knows to stay away. We’re not quite that smart.

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Posted in A Word from the Pastor by Tony D'Amico

Royal

In the book of Numbers (Chapter 16), we read about some men who rebelled against Moses and Aaron. They are angry because they think Moses and Aaron are making themselves out to be more holy than the rest of the Israelites. These men are envious of the position Moses and Aaron have among the congregation of Israel.

Instead of going to the Lord, however (with humble and thankful hearts for being His chosen people), they grumble and rebel instead. They are not satisfied with their relationship or position with God. They want position among men. They want to be recognized as great in Israel. 

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Joyful

Some days it seems like finding joy can be an illusion to me. I see others enjoying a dreamy kind of life (where nothing ever goes wrong and no one even seems to have a bad thought). I think to myself, what a wonderful life they must have. Before long, you may even hear me humming the lyrics to Louis Armstrong’s song “What a Wonderful Life” (in an effort to fake it till I make it). Seriously, I think it is a daily fight to be joyful. But, we must engage in that fight to truly live a joy-filled life.

I was recently reminded of some foundational truths to help bring joy into my life (from Proverbs 8:34), “Joyful are those who listen to me, watching for me daily at my gates, waiting for me outside my home!”

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Open Our Eyes

Have you ever walked into church and been so distracted that you wondered why you even showed up? Or, maybe, you knew why you came, but by the time the worship music began you had lost focus? I sure have. The song Open Our Eyes (from the Your Love Remains album) was written as a prayer. It’s asking the Lord to “open our eyes to see Jesus” and combat these kinds of distractions.

While I’m at church, I wear a lot of different hats. Between being a pastor, a parent, a music director, and a friend, I can get distracted. By the time I open my mouth to sing, I can be more focused on what’s happening around me than what God wants to have happen within me. I can be caught off guard by a comment I wasn’t prepared for, distracted by music equipment, or preoccupied with my children. All the while, the songs are blowing right past me.

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In Ark We Trust

In preparation for our series on the life of David, I have been studying 1& 2 Samuel. A story in 1 Samuel recently caught my eye. The Israelites went out to battle their long-time enemy, the Philistines. They lost the first skirmish, and about 4,000 soldiers were killed. When the Israelites returned to camp that night, they were very discouraged. What was their solution? Did they cry out to God in prayer? Did they seek God’s guidance? No! They sent for the ark of the covenant. Look at what they said in verse 4:3, “Why has the Lord defeated us today before the Philistines? Let us bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord here from Shiloh, that it may come among us and save us from the power of our enemies.”

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Don’t Be Alone

“Then they took what Micah had made, and his priest, and went on to Laish, against a people at peace and secure. They attacked them with the sword and burned down their city. There was no one to rescue them because they lived a long way from Sidon and had no relationship with anyone else.” — Judges 18:27-28
 
It’s dangerous to be alone.

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Posted in A Word from the Pastor by admin