The Rock Church

Guess What? I Love You!

I think it was about a year or so ago, I playfully asked my three-year-old granddaughter, “Guess what?” And she wholeheartedly said, “What?” Then I laid it on her, “I love you!” It was a fun grandpa moment.

Next, I added this part. “Guess what?” To which she excitedly responded, “What?” And I gleefully said, “Jesus loves you, too!” I didn’t realize at the time how endearing these little exchanges would become. However, I began to hear her play the “Guess What?“ game with others. First, I heard her asking her Dad. Then came her Mom and her little sister. On top of that came her cousins and even aunts and uncles. Who knows, maybe even the kids in the Toddlers’ Room at church? 

Life Is Hard

Like many of you, I have had my share of challenges. I can sometimes feel isolated and alone, even in a crowded room filled with people I love. Genesis reveals that humans would truly struggle. The Bible certainly shows us examples of this time and time again.

Fast forward to the present. Sometimes, we can feel like the main characters in a tragic play that has no ending. That alone is tragic! Over the years, I have heard of countless difficulties that people have faced. These stories made my life seem like a fairy tale. Some of you and your loved ones are in it right now. It’s undoubtedly excruciating, and maybe even blinding. You’re facing health issues, loss of loved ones, debt, difficult marriages, job challenges, and on and on. This also makes us vulnerable to the devil. He loves to kick us when we feel down. 1 Peter 5:8 warns us that the enemy is looking for someone to devour. I think he fiendishly attacks our minds. It makes us feel helpless and as if we cannot escape. I often talk with people who are struggling. Life is indeed hard.

Tell People You Love Them

“So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.” — John 13:34 (NLT)

Tell people you love them — it’s such a simple gesture. I’ve noticed this in our church. I often hear people saying “I love you” to each other. It’s wonderful. And of course, we bless our family and friends when we share this sentiment.

When was the last time you told your spouse you loved them? Say it to them when you’re alone together. Also, say it in front of your kids all the time. Equally important, tell your kids you love them all the time. Even in the most frustrating of times, expressing this can diffuse conflict. It also helps grow you closer. I very rarely, if ever, heard my father tell me he loved me. There were so many lost opportunities. Don’t miss yours. Tell people you love them today.

Guess What? Jesus Loves You!

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” — Romans 5:8 (NKJV)

Tell people Jesus loves them! Jesus told us this and then demonstrated His love fully on the Cross as He submitted Himself to die for us. People absolutely need to hear Jesus loves them over and over again. I know I do! Like a refreshing drink on a hot summer day. Or, better yet, it’s like a dive into a sparkling pool of water at just the right temperature. Perhaps it’s like Jesus throwing us a lifebuoy when we’re desperate for Him.

Sometimes, turning to my Bible and hearing from Jesus feels as if He is right there. Always holding me close while I weep, tremble, and doubt. He is with me. And that’s all I really need. Along with that, He has also promised that He will never leave us nor forsake us. Did you hear that? NEVER! (Deuteronomy 31:6) And NO ONE can snatch us from His hand! (John 10:28) Oh, please, Lord, tell me again. Because I really need to hear that right now. How about you?

“Guess what?” Jesus and I love you!

Mac

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by The Rock Church

Run the Race!

I think God has placed an innate sense of competition in our DNA (somewhere). This also includes a desire to run the race. Obviously, there’s more competition and desire in some people than others. Along with that, the race can mean a plethora of things to each of us. But one thing is certainly true. We undoubtedly all want to win. Nobody hopes to use their thumb and index finger to place an L on their forehead. 

While a young boy, I believed I was very fast. As a young man, I was definitely full of myself. Consequently, I would sometimes challenge other men to a foot race. This typically happened at parties and get-togethers. I’d even challenge the occasional woman. In fact, my wife was one of them; we were both very competitive. I beat her handily, by the way. Alas, as age takes its cruel toll on us, we all slow down. Even the next generation eventually replaces professional athletes.

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by The Rock Church

Love and Unity

“Love and unity” (together) are among the eight core values we hold dear at The Rock. We describe this particular value in these words (on our website): “We desire our ministry to be marked by a Christ-like, selfless love, loyalty, and unity with fellow believers.” Over time, the undeniable evidence of this core value within our body of Believers has struck me. Selfless love and loyalty are indeed the norm. It’s as if it’s actually in the air. Like a beautiful fragrance from a spring flower after a long winter. And ultimately, it’s so compelling it draws you in. 

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by The Rock Church

Friend in Jesus

While reading in Matthew recently, I was reminded of what an incredible friend we have in Jesus. The verses about how Jesus was betrayed and arrested, stir angry emotions in me. Judas betrays Jesus in an unfathomable way, and then a crowd with clubs and swords descends upon him. Let’s look at the verses:

(more…)

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by admin

Shaking the Blues

The week after Christmas can sometimes be difficult. Post-Christmas blues are real and are a very depressing time in many people’s lives.

All the planning and pre-Christmas hype has come and gone. The tree is totally dried out, and the decorations are just not as charming as when we first put them up. Most of us have eaten more than we should have, spent too much money, and used up our vacation time. Are we really expected to just pick up where we left off and live real life again? It’s somewhat of a helpless feeling isn’t it?

(more…)

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by admin

Full of Love


If we can somehow grasp the truth that God is love, then it makes sense that we would strive to be full of love ourselves. I mean really, wouldn’t the world be a better place if we were all filled with love?

(more…)

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by admin

What’s the Big Problem?

Is it just me or are we living in a time when people seem to be more and more disgruntled at almost everything? Have you noticed it? What’s the big problem, anyway?

Well, according to the “The Top Tens” list, the world’s top five problems are: Drug Abuse, War and Terrorism, Poverty, Population Growth, and Pollution. The list goes on; this is just the first five.

(more…)

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by admin

Here and Now

I love being on mission. Not just in far away places but also in the here and now. Teaming together with Jesus (and other Christians) in prayer, planning, and sharing the Gospel, is the quintessential life in Christ. I think the here and now is the actual living out of a life in Christ, or the realization of what Jesus was talking about when He described the full life in Christ. I’m not talking about a “campfire-singing-Kum Ba Yah” sort of existence. Instead, it’s more of a real day-to-day intimacy with God. The kind that is with me through my highs, my lows, and walks me through the here and now moments of life.

(more…)

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by admin

Trusting

I’ve recently been walking through some major changes in my life and the “unknowns” can be very challenging, to say the least. I can tend to lean on many of my past experiences to help negotiate the way and that is somewhat helpful. But, most of the time, I really don’t know what’s going to happen. I do know that it ultimately all comes down to me trusting God in everything.

(more…)

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by admin

Unshakable

“Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.” Hebrews 12:28-29

(more…)

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by admin