When Christ breathed his last breath, the earth shook. The veil was torn and our substitution was made....
Does God change His mind when we pray? This is a great question that requires us to reconcile the seeming contradiction between Bible verses that declare God is immutable, sovereign, and does whatever he wills with those verses that refer to God regretting and relenting....
Earlier this year while stuck at home from an extended sickness, I had the opportunity to reflect upon prayer and its benefits. Even as a pastor, prayer sometimes gets relegated to the status of break glass in case of emergencies. ...
Living in the Midwest has taught me a great deal about living through actual winters. Growing up in the South, if there was a chance of snow at all, the best thing to do was to stay at home and keep away from the roads at all costs....
The first Sunday of Advent sometimes sneaks up on us, doesn't it? Having just recovered from the feasting of Thanksgiving, we gathered this Lord's Day past and it was that first Christmasy hymn that ushered in the new season....
During this holiday season, many are reflecting on Christ. It is good to be thankful for his birth, ministry, and sacrificial work on the cross. But let me ask you something. When is the last time you thanked God for his judgment?...
Do you remember Gumby, the 1950s green stretchy toy? Pastor Aaron explains how we can strive to keep our ministry opportunities 'Semper Gumby' in order to meet others where they're at and honor the Lord. ...
Jesus told his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” [Matthew 18] What did Jesus mean by this? What is it about children that we should emulate? ...
Do you feel battered by life's discouragements? Dear believer, do not fret the future or any present troubles. Receive whatever it is that Almighty God brings your way. Receive his providence with humility and meekness, for from this posture you will find the mysteries of contentment and joy....
It is easy to get caught up in tools and tactics when it comes to evangelism. Some of these are quite good and helpful. However, we may often find that the deepest conversations and the ones that have the greatest impact are those in which we simply share with others what God has done in our lives, and then point them to the life changing words of scripture....
Are you using a wrench when you need a hammer? We can find ourselves stubbornly enduring bad situations and decisions when we turn from solid Biblical counsel to trust in our own abilities, instead of Christ's finished work. ...
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As believers we are like trees in the cold, dark days of winter--held steady by an inner strength and purpose, one wrought by God himself and sustained by his powerful grace. ...
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Do we often find ourselves rushing ahead, forging our own paths, and attempting to ‘run the race’ in our own strength? Psalm 46 is a vivid reminder to place our trust in God alone, and as the first - not last - resort, to avoid this world’s pits and snares that can impede the race He has set before us....
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A new sermon series at CtR has started in 2021. Pastor Aaron explains why studying Genesis helps us discover who we are and why we are here. In doing so, we learn about our creator, who after he created all things, including mankind, looked down upon it and called it “very good.” ...
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Do you have expectations for this new year? Are you praying that 2021 brings far less complications and difficulties than 2020? The Book of Ecclesiastes has some important reminders for us about where we place our priorities....
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The Thanksgiving holiday is almost here. For many, 2020 has been an incredibly difficult year. Yet God's word encourages us to be a people who give thanks in all seasons. ...
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This October marks the 503rd anniversary of the Protestant Reformation. What does it mean to be Reformed? Pastor Aaron writes, "I am convinced that Reformed theology is simply Biblical theology", and he outlines and defines its major tenets....
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How are 64 years, the year 1517, Hagia Sophia, and Christ all related? CtR Youth Leader Luke Stivers connects the dots with a challenge to consider 'Holy Wisdom'....
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Sickness, quarantines, and missing church bring a loss of fellowship. How should God’s people respond? Pastor Aaron shares his honest reflections after a recent illness sidelined him and his family. ...
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A lot has happened within our church family this summer, and we have much to be thankful for! Psalm 100 gives us 6 ways we should respond to God's amazing provision and rich blessings....
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