The Rock Church

Reframe Your Thinking

Reframing doesn’t change your circumstances — it changes what your circumstances mean.

Most of us are fine following Jesus when it’s convenient. The trouble starts when faith feels costly: awkward conversations, social pressure, and tension at work. Along with family eye-rolls and that subtle “keep it private” vibe. When the heat rises, the temptation is simple: keep your head down until it gets easier.

Paul doesn’t do that.

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

The Beauty in the Slow Work of God

It doesn’t matter whether you’re an artist with a canvas or a parent raising kids. Maybe you’re a teacher shaping young minds or simply someone trying to live faithfully day by day? No matter what scenario you’re in, creation takes time. Beauty rarely happens all at once. It’s slow. Also, it’s layered. Along with that, it takes shaping, waiting, and sometimes starting over.

God models that same rhythm in Creation. In Genesis, He doesn’t rush. Each day always has a purpose. Light comes first. Then sky. And then land. Each stage builds upon the last. Finally, He steps back and calls it good. Without a doubt, there’s something profoundly intentional about that process. He shows us that the best work unfolds in time.

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

Jesus in the Middle

As a pastor, I am for sure not immune to feeling overwhelmed by difficulties. Also, whether it’s physical, mental, or emotional, life can sometimes make me feel like I’m drowning.

Perhaps the disciples felt this way. In fact, in the gospels of John, Mark, and Matthew, we are told how these fishers of men were overwhelmed with fear at the sight of their teacher walking on water through a storm. As a result, it says they were “terrified” because they thought they saw a ghost!

Isn’t it good to know we are not the only ones who experience fear and anxiety?

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by The Rock Church

Hope in Hardship

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” — John 14:27 (NIV84)

A few weeks ago, I taught how to have hope in the midst of hardship. Many people told me that that message was precisely what they needed. I certainly needed to hear it, too! Life is always full of suffering, and there is no way to avoid it. In fact, Jesus promised, “In this world, you will have trouble.” (John 16:33b)

The reality of pain and suffering forces us to ask ourselves, “Where is my hope?” Jean-Paul Sartre, a well-known atheist, was agonizing over the thought of death. People heard him repeatedly say, “I know I shall die in hope…but hope needs a foundation!” I am eternally thankful to God for giving us a solid foundation on which we can have hope – even as we walk through the valley of death, difficulty, grief, and sorrow.

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by admin

Discipline, Testing, or Training?

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

Smooth Stones

In a recent message, I shared an illustration that has made an unmistakable impact on my life. I found this story in the devotional by L.B. Cowman, “Streams In The Desert” (July 7 entry):

“There is a very famous “Pebble Beach” at Pescadero, on the California coast. The long line of white surf comes up with its everlasting roar, and rattles and thunders among the stones on the shore. They are caught in the arms of the pitiless waves, and tossed and rolled, and rubbed together, and ground against the sharp-grained cliffs. Day and night forever the ceaseless attrition goes on–never any rest. And the result?

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by admin