Grace and peace to all our Sisters and Brothers in Christ.

I am pained at the amount of disrespect and hurt we humans bring upon other humans, often culminating in physical violence and death. When we weaponize our words, it is only a short step to the use of physical weapons that are intended to inflict harm and even death. One wonders if any place is safe from the potential to explode into violence. Is the destruction of any life a resolve to the differences we perceive in one another? 

I was almost ready to write that I'm at a loss over what might be done to address the matter of the hurt and the hate that we seem to bring into our world. But I'm cautioned by the presence of the risen Christ who leads us in a different direction, a way of hope that can lead to peace and unity. In Christ, I am not at a loss. for as the Apostle Paul affirms, "We know that our old self was crucified with Christ so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin... So we also must consider ourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus" (Romans 6:6, 11).

The Apostle Paul affirms that the realm of sin is real and powerful, a power that can quickly erupt into weaponizing words and the use of violence against one another. Sin seeks to divide and not to unite; sin favors death and not life. But in Christ, we have the victor over sin and death: "The death he (Christ) died, he died to sin, ONCE AND FOR ALL; but the life he lives, he lives to God" (Romans 6:10).

So rather than feeling at a "loss" or hopeless at the current conditions of a world broken with the sin of disrespect, hatred, and violence, may we turn in the direction of the peace and hope offered in the eternal presence of the risen Jesus who took on the whole sin of humanity and bore it on the cross. As the Apostle Paul counsels, "No longer present your members to sin as weapons of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and present your members to God as instruments of righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under the law but under grace" (Romans 6:13-14).

To want to address the challenging concerns of today and the power of sin at work that weaponizes and divides, and to do so apart from the guiding presence of the risen Jesus and the Holy Spirit is futile and deadly. Again from the Apostle Paul, "To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace" (Romans 8:6).

In Christ, we need no longer submit to the way of sin, even though its power is still present in the world, seeking to divide and destroy. In Christ, we now have the ability to live for God by walking the path of Jesus, a path that leads to life.

In Christ, we shall not lose hope. Jesus is the change that can put a stop to the violence and hatred in this world, and bring us to the realization that "all who are led by the Spirit are children of God" (Romans 8;14).

Stay safe and strong in faith!    Pastor John

Grace and peace to all our Sisters and Brothers in Christ.

I am pained at the amount of disrespect and hurt we humans bring upon other humans, often culminating in physical violence and death. When we weaponize our words, it is only a short step to the use of physical weapons that are intended to inflict harm and even death. One wonders if any place is safe from the potential to explode into violence. Is the destruction of any life a resolve to the differences we perceive in one another? 

I was almost ready to write that I'm at a loss over what might be done to address the matter of the hurt and the hate that we seem to bring into our world. But I'm cautioned by the presence of the risen Christ who leads us in a different direction, a way of hope that can lead to peace and unity. In Christ, I am not at a loss. for as the Apostle Paul affirms, "We know that our old self was crucified with Christ so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin... So we also must consider ourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus" (Romans 6:6, 11).

The Apostle Paul affirms that the realm of sin is real and powerful, a power that can quickly erupt into weaponizing words and the use of violence against one another. Sin seeks to divide and not to unite; sin favors death and not life. But in Christ, we have the victor over sin and death: "The death he (Christ) died, he died to sin, ONCE AND FOR ALL; but the life he lives, he lives to God" (Romans 6:10).

So rather than feeling at a "loss" or hopeless at the current conditions of a world broken with the sin of disrespect, hatred, and violence, may we turn in the direction of the peace and hope offered in the eternal presence of the risen Jesus who took on the whole sin of humanity and bore it on the cross. As the Apostle Paul counsels, "No longer present your members to sin as weapons of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and present your members to God as instruments of righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under the law but under grace" (Romans 6:13-14).

To want to address the challenging concerns of today and the power of sin at work that weaponizes and divides, and to do so apart from the guiding presence of the risen Jesus and the Holy Spirit is futile and deadly. Again from the Apostle Paul, "To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace" (Romans 8:6).

In Christ, we need no longer submit to the way of sin, even though its power is still present in the world, seeking to divide and destroy. In Christ, we now have the ability to live for God by walking the path of Jesus, a path that leads to life.

In Christ, we shall not lose hope. Jesus is the change that can put a stop to the violence and hatred in this world, and bring us to the realization that "all who are led by the Spirit are children of God" (Romans 8;14).

Stay safe and strong in faith!    Pastor John

Grace and peace to all our Sisters and Brothers in Christ.

I am pained at the amount of disrespect and hurt we humans bring upon other humans, often culminating in physical violence and death. When we weaponize our words, it is only a short step to the use of physical weapons that are intended to inflict harm and even death. One wonders if any place is safe from the potential to explode into violence. Is the destruction of any life a resolve to the differences we perceive in one another? 

I was almost ready to write that I'm at a loss over what might be done to address the matter of the hurt and the hate that we seem to bring into our world. But I'm cautioned by the presence of the risen Christ who leads us in a different direction, a way of hope that can lead to peace and unity. In Christ, I am not at a loss. for as the Apostle Paul affirms, "We know that our old self was crucified with Christ so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin... So we also must consider ourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus" (Romans 6:6, 11).

The Apostle Paul affirms that the realm of sin is real and powerful, a power that can quickly erupt into weaponizing words and the use of violence against one another. Sin seeks to divide and not to unite; sin favors death and not life. But in Christ, we have the victor over sin and death: "The death he (Christ) died, he died to sin, ONCE AND FOR ALL; but the life he lives, he lives to God" (Romans 6:10).

So rather than feeling at a "loss" or hopeless at the current conditions of a world broken with the sin of disrespect, hatred, and violence, may we turn in the direction of the peace and hope offered in the eternal presence of the risen Jesus who took on the whole sin of humanity and bore it on the cross. As the Apostle Paul counsels, "No longer present your members to sin as weapons of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and present your members to God as instruments of righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under the law but under grace" (Romans 6:13-14).

To want to address the challenging concerns of today and the power of sin at work that weaponizes and divides, and to do so apart from the guiding presence of the risen Jesus and the Holy Spirit is futile and deadly. Again from the Apostle Paul, "To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace" (Romans 8:6).

In Christ, we need no longer submit to the way of sin, even though its power is still present in the world, seeking to divide and destroy. In Christ, we now have the ability to live for God by walking the path of Jesus, a path that leads to life.

In Christ, we shall not lose hope. Jesus is the change that can put a stop to the violence and hatred in this world, and bring us to the realization that "all who are led by the Spirit are children of God" (Romans 8;14).

Stay safe and strong in faith!    Pastor John

Grace and peace to all our Sisters and Brothers in Christ.

I am pained at the amount of disrespect and hurt we humans bring upon other humans, often culminating in physical violence and death. When we weaponize our words, it is only a short step to the use of physical weapons that are intended to inflict harm and even death. One wonders if any place is safe from the potential to explode into violence. Is the destruction of any life a resolve to the differences we perceive in one another? 

I was almost ready to write that I'm at a loss over what might be done to address the matter of the hurt and the hate that we seem to bring into our world. But I'm cautioned by the presence of the risen Christ who leads us in a different direction, a way of hope that can lead to peace and unity. In Christ, I am not at a loss. for as the Apostle Paul affirms, "We know that our old self was crucified with Christ so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin... So we also must consider ourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus" (Romans 6:6, 11).

The Apostle Paul affirms that the realm of sin is real and powerful, a power that can quickly erupt into weaponizing words and the use of violence against one another. Sin seeks to divide and not to unite; sin favors death and not life. But in Christ, we have the victor over sin and death: "The death he (Christ) died, he died to sin, ONCE AND FOR ALL; but the life he lives, he lives to God" (Romans 6:10).

So rather than feeling at a "loss" or hopeless at the current conditions of a world broken with the sin of disrespect, hatred, and violence, may we turn in the direction of the peace and hope offered in the eternal presence of the risen Jesus who took on the whole sin of humanity and bore it on the cross. As the Apostle Paul counsels, "No longer present your members to sin as weapons of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and present your members to God as instruments of righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under the law but under grace" (Romans 6:13-14).

To want to address the challenging concerns of today and the power of sin at work that weaponizes and divides, and to do so apart from the guiding presence of the risen Jesus and the Holy Spirit is futile and deadly. Again from the Apostle Paul, "To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace" (Romans 8:6).

In Christ, we need no longer submit to the way of sin, even though its power is still present in the world, seeking to divide and destroy. In Christ, we now have the ability to live for God by walking the path of Jesus, a path that leads to life.

In Christ, we shall not lose hope. Jesus is the change that can put a stop to the violence and hatred in this world, and bring us to the realization that "all who are led by the Spirit are children of God" (Romans 8;14).

Stay safe and strong in faith!    Pastor John

Grace and peace to all our Sisters and Brothers in Christ.

I am pained at the amount of disrespect and hurt we humans bring upon other humans, often culminating in physical violence and death. When we weaponize our words, it is only a short step to the use of physical weapons that are intended to inflict harm and even death. One wonders if any place is safe from the potential to explode into violence. Is the destruction of any life a resolve to the differences we perceive in one another? 

I was almost ready to write that I'm at a loss over what might be done to address the matter of the hurt and the hate that we seem to bring into our world. But I'm cautioned by the presence of the risen Christ who leads us in a different direction, a way of hope that can lead to peace and unity. In Christ, I am not at a loss. for as the Apostle Paul affirms, "We know that our old self was crucified with Christ so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin... So we also must consider ourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus" (Romans 6:6, 11).

The Apostle Paul affirms that the realm of sin is real and powerful, a power that can quickly erupt into weaponizing words and the use of violence against one another. Sin seeks to divide and not to unite; sin favors death and not life. But in Christ, we have the victor over sin and death: "The death he (Christ) died, he died to sin, ONCE AND FOR ALL; but the life he lives, he lives to God" (Romans 6:10).

So rather than feeling at a "loss" or hopeless at the current conditions of a world broken with the sin of disrespect, hatred, and violence, may we turn in the direction of the peace and hope offered in the eternal presence of the risen Jesus who took on the whole sin of humanity and bore it on the cross. As the Apostle Paul counsels, "No longer present your members to sin as weapons of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and present your members to God as instruments of righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under the law but under grace" (Romans 6:13-14).

To want to address the challenging concerns of today and the power of sin at work that weaponizes and divides, and to do so apart from the guiding presence of the risen Jesus and the Holy Spirit is futile and deadly. Again from the Apostle Paul, "To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace" (Romans 8:6).

In Christ, we need no longer submit to the way of sin, even though its power is still present in the world, seeking to divide and destroy. In Christ, we now have the ability to live for God by walking the path of Jesus, a path that leads to life.

In Christ, we shall not lose hope. Jesus is the change that can put a stop to the violence and hatred in this world, and bring us to the realization that "all who are led by the Spirit are children of God" (Romans 8;14).

Stay safe and strong in faith!    Pastor John

Grace and peace to all our Sisters and Brothers in Christ.

I am pained at the amount of disrespect and hurt we humans bring upon other humans, often culminating in physical violence and death. When we weaponize our words, it is only a short step to the use of physical weapons that are intended to inflict harm and even death. One wonders if any place is safe from the potential to explode into violence. Is the destruction of any life a resolve to the differences we perceive in one another? 

I was almost ready to write that I'm at a loss over what might be done to address the matter of the hurt and the hate that we seem to bring into our world. But I'm cautioned by the presence of the risen Christ who leads us in a different direction, a way of hope that can lead to peace and unity. In Christ, I am not at a loss. for as the Apostle Paul affirms, "We know that our old self was crucified with Christ so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin... So we also must consider ourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus" (Romans 6:6, 11).

The Apostle Paul affirms that the realm of sin is real and powerful, a power that can quickly erupt into weaponizing words and the use of violence against one another. Sin seeks to divide and not to unite; sin favors death and not life. But in Christ, we have the victor over sin and death: "The death he (Christ) died, he died to sin, ONCE AND FOR ALL; but the life he lives, he lives to God" (Romans 6:10).

So rather than feeling at a "loss" or hopeless at the current conditions of a world broken with the sin of disrespect, hatred, and violence, may we turn in the direction of the peace and hope offered in the eternal presence of the risen Jesus who took on the whole sin of humanity and bore it on the cross. As the Apostle Paul counsels, "No longer present your members to sin as weapons of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and present your members to God as instruments of righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under the law but under grace" (Romans 6:13-14).

To want to address the challenging concerns of today and the power of sin at work that weaponizes and divides, and to do so apart from the guiding presence of the risen Jesus and the Holy Spirit is futile and deadly. Again from the Apostle Paul, "To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace" (Romans 8:6).

In Christ, we need no longer submit to the way of sin, even though its power is still present in the world, seeking to divide and destroy. In Christ, we now have the ability to live for God by walking the path of Jesus, a path that leads to life.

In Christ, we shall not lose hope. Jesus is the change that can put a stop to the violence and hatred in this world, and bring us to the realization that "all who are led by the Spirit are children of God" (Romans 8;14).

Stay safe and strong in faith!    Pastor John

Grace and peace to all our Sisters and Brothers in Christ.

I am pained at the amount of disrespect and hurt we humans bring upon other humans, often culminating in physical violence and death. When we weaponize our words, it is only a short step to the use of physical weapons that are intended to inflict harm and even death. One wonders if any place is safe from the potential to explode into violence. Is the destruction of any life a resolve to the differences we perceive in one another? 

I was almost ready to write that I'm at a loss over what might be done to address the matter of the hurt and the hate that we seem to bring into our world. But I'm cautioned by the presence of the risen Christ who leads us in a different direction, a way of hope that can lead to peace and unity. In Christ, I am not at a loss. for as the Apostle Paul affirms, "We know that our old self was crucified with Christ so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin... So we also must consider ourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus" (Romans 6:6, 11).

The Apostle Paul affirms that the realm of sin is real and powerful, a power that can quickly erupt into weaponizing words and the use of violence against one another. Sin seeks to divide and not to unite; sin favors death and not life. But in Christ, we have the victor over sin and death: "The death he (Christ) died, he died to sin, ONCE AND FOR ALL; but the life he lives, he lives to God" (Romans 6:10).

So rather than feeling at a "loss" or hopeless at the current conditions of a world broken with the sin of disrespect, hatred, and violence, may we turn in the direction of the peace and hope offered in the eternal presence of the risen Jesus who took on the whole sin of humanity and bore it on the cross. As the Apostle Paul counsels, "No longer present your members to sin as weapons of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and present your members to God as instruments of righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under the law but under grace" (Romans 6:13-14).

To want to address the challenging concerns of today and the power of sin at work that weaponizes and divides, and to do so apart from the guiding presence of the risen Jesus and the Holy Spirit is futile and deadly. Again from the Apostle Paul, "To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace" (Romans 8:6).

In Christ, we need no longer submit to the way of sin, even though its power is still present in the world, seeking to divide and destroy. In Christ, we now have the ability to live for God by walking the path of Jesus, a path that leads to life.

In Christ, we shall not lose hope. Jesus is the change that can put a stop to the violence and hatred in this world, and bring us to the realization that "all who are led by the Spirit are children of God" (Romans 8;14).

Stay safe and strong in faith!    Pastor John

Grace and peace to all our Sisters and Brothers in Christ.

I am pained at the amount of disrespect and hurt we humans bring upon other humans, often culminating in physical violence and death. When we weaponize our words, it is only a short step to the use of physical weapons that are intended to inflict harm and even death. One wonders if any place is safe from the potential to explode into violence. Is the destruction of any life a resolve to the differences we perceive in one another? 

I was almost ready to write that I'm at a loss over what might be done to address the matter of the hurt and the hate that we seem to bring into our world. But I'm cautioned by the presence of the risen Christ who leads us in a different direction, a way of hope that can lead to peace and unity. In Christ, I am not at a loss. for as the Apostle Paul affirms, "We know that our old self was crucified with Christ so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin... So we also must consider ourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus" (Romans 6:6, 11).

The Apostle Paul affirms that the realm of sin is real and powerful, a power that can quickly erupt into weaponizing words and the use of violence against one another. Sin seeks to divide and not to unite; sin favors death and not life. But in Christ, we have the victor over sin and death: "The death he (Christ) died, he died to sin, ONCE AND FOR ALL; but the life he lives, he lives to God" (Romans 6:10).

So rather than feeling at a "loss" or hopeless at the current conditions of a world broken with the sin of disrespect, hatred, and violence, may we turn in the direction of the peace and hope offered in the eternal presence of the risen Jesus who took on the whole sin of humanity and bore it on the cross. As the Apostle Paul counsels, "No longer present your members to sin as weapons of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and present your members to God as instruments of righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under the law but under grace" (Romans 6:13-14).

To want to address the challenging concerns of today and the power of sin at work that weaponizes and divides, and to do so apart from the guiding presence of the risen Jesus and the Holy Spirit is futile and deadly. Again from the Apostle Paul, "To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace" (Romans 8:6).

In Christ, we need no longer submit to the way of sin, even though its power is still present in the world, seeking to divide and destroy. In Christ, we now have the ability to live for God by walking the path of Jesus, a path that leads to life.

In Christ, we shall not lose hope. Jesus is the change that can put a stop to the violence and hatred in this world, and bring us to the realization that "all who are led by the Spirit are children of God" (Romans 8;14).

Stay safe and strong in faith!    Pastor John

Grace and peace to all our Sisters and Brothers in Christ.

I am pained at the amount of disrespect and hurt we humans bring upon other humans, often culminating in physical violence and death. When we weaponize our words, it is only a short step to the use of physical weapons that are intended to inflict harm and even death. One wonders if any place is safe from the potential to explode into violence. Is the destruction of any life a resolve to the differences we perceive in one another? 

I was almost ready to write that I'm at a loss over what might be done to address the matter of the hurt and the hate that we seem to bring into our world. But I'm cautioned by the presence of the risen Christ who leads us in a different direction, a way of hope that can lead to peace and unity. In Christ, I am not at a loss. for as the Apostle Paul affirms, "We know that our old self was crucified with Christ so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin... So we also must consider ourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus" (Romans 6:6, 11).

The Apostle Paul affirms that the realm of sin is real and powerful, a power that can quickly erupt into weaponizing words and the use of violence against one another. Sin seeks to divide and not to unite; sin favors death and not life. But in Christ, we have the victor over sin and death: "The death he (Christ) died, he died to sin, ONCE AND FOR ALL; but the life he lives, he lives to God" (Romans 6:10).

So rather than feeling at a "loss" or hopeless at the current conditions of a world broken with the sin of disrespect, hatred, and violence, may we turn in the direction of the peace and hope offered in the eternal presence of the risen Jesus who took on the whole sin of humanity and bore it on the cross. As the Apostle Paul counsels, "No longer present your members to sin as weapons of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and present your members to God as instruments of righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under the law but under grace" (Romans 6:13-14).

To want to address the challenging concerns of today and the power of sin at work that weaponizes and divides, and to do so apart from the guiding presence of the risen Jesus and the Holy Spirit is futile and deadly. Again from the Apostle Paul, "To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace" (Romans 8:6).

In Christ, we need no longer submit to the way of sin, even though its power is still present in the world, seeking to divide and destroy. In Christ, we now have the ability to live for God by walking the path of Jesus, a path that leads to life.

In Christ, we shall not lose hope. Jesus is the change that can put a stop to the violence and hatred in this world, and bring us to the realization that "all who are led by the Spirit are children of God" (Romans 8;14).

Stay safe and strong in faith!    Pastor John

Grace and peace to all our Sisters and Brothers in Christ.

I am pained at the amount of disrespect and hurt we humans bring upon other humans, often culminating in physical violence and death. When we weaponize our words, it is only a short step to the use of physical weapons that are intended to inflict harm and even death. One wonders if any place is safe from the potential to explode into violence. Is the destruction of any life a resolve to the differences we perceive in one another? 

I was almost ready to write that I'm at a loss over what might be done to address the matter of the hurt and the hate that we seem to bring into our world. But I'm cautioned by the presence of the risen Christ who leads us in a different direction, a way of hope that can lead to peace and unity. In Christ, I am not at a loss. for as the Apostle Paul affirms, "We know that our old self was crucified with Christ so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin... So we also must consider ourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus" (Romans 6:6, 11).

The Apostle Paul affirms that the realm of sin is real and powerful, a power that can quickly erupt into weaponizing words and the use of violence against one another. Sin seeks to divide and not to unite; sin favors death and not life. But in Christ, we have the victor over sin and death: "The death he (Christ) died, he died to sin, ONCE AND FOR ALL; but the life he lives, he lives to God" (Romans 6:10).

So rather than feeling at a "loss" or hopeless at the current conditions of a world broken with the sin of disrespect, hatred, and violence, may we turn in the direction of the peace and hope offered in the eternal presence of the risen Jesus who took on the whole sin of humanity and bore it on the cross. As the Apostle Paul counsels, "No longer present your members to sin as weapons of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and present your members to God as instruments of righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under the law but under grace" (Romans 6:13-14).

To want to address the challenging concerns of today and the power of sin at work that weaponizes and divides, and to do so apart from the guiding presence of the risen Jesus and the Holy Spirit is futile and deadly. Again from the Apostle Paul, "To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace" (Romans 8:6).

In Christ, we need no longer submit to the way of sin, even though its power is still present in the world, seeking to divide and destroy. In Christ, we now have the ability to live for God by walking the path of Jesus, a path that leads to life.

In Christ, we shall not lose hope. Jesus is the change that can put a stop to the violence and hatred in this world, and bring us to the realization that "all who are led by the Spirit are children of God" (Romans 8;14).

Stay safe and strong in faith!    Pastor John

Grace and peace to all our Sisters and Brothers in Christ.

I am pained at the amount of disrespect and hurt we humans bring upon other humans, often culminating in physical violence and death. When we weaponize our words, it is only a short step to the use of physical weapons that are intended to inflict harm and even death. One wonders if any place is safe from the potential to explode into violence. Is the destruction of any life a resolve to the differences we perceive in one another? 

I was almost ready to write that I'm at a loss over what might be done to address the matter of the hurt and the hate that we seem to bring into our world. But I'm cautioned by the presence of the risen Christ who leads us in a different direction, a way of hope that can lead to peace and unity. In Christ, I am not at a loss. for as the Apostle Paul affirms, "We know that our old self was crucified with Christ so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin... So we also must consider ourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus" (Romans 6:6, 11).

The Apostle Paul affirms that the realm of sin is real and powerful, a power that can quickly erupt into weaponizing words and the use of violence against one another. Sin seeks to divide and not to unite; sin favors death and not life. But in Christ, we have the victor over sin and death: "The death he (Christ) died, he died to sin, ONCE AND FOR ALL; but the life he lives, he lives to God" (Romans 6:10).

So rather than feeling at a "loss" or hopeless at the current conditions of a world broken with the sin of disrespect, hatred, and violence, may we turn in the direction of the peace and hope offered in the eternal presence of the risen Jesus who took on the whole sin of humanity and bore it on the cross. As the Apostle Paul counsels, "No longer present your members to sin as weapons of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and present your members to God as instruments of righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under the law but under grace" (Romans 6:13-14).

To want to address the challenging concerns of today and the power of sin at work that weaponizes and divides, and to do so apart from the guiding presence of the risen Jesus and the Holy Spirit is futile and deadly. Again from the Apostle Paul, "To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace" (Romans 8:6).

In Christ, we need no longer submit to the way of sin, even though its power is still present in the world, seeking to divide and destroy. In Christ, we now have the ability to live for God by walking the path of Jesus, a path that leads to life.

In Christ, we shall not lose hope. Jesus is the change that can put a stop to the violence and hatred in this world, and bring us to the realization that "all who are led by the Spirit are children of God" (Romans 8;14).

Stay safe and strong in faith!    Pastor John

Grace and peace to all our Sisters and Brothers in Christ.

I am pained at the amount of disrespect and hurt we humans bring upon other humans, often culminating in physical violence and death. When we weaponize our words, it is only a short step to the use of physical weapons that are intended to inflict harm and even death. One wonders if any place is safe from the potential to explode into violence. Is the destruction of any life a resolve to the differences we perceive in one another? 

I was almost ready to write that I'm at a loss over what might be done to address the matter of the hurt and the hate that we seem to bring into our world. But I'm cautioned by the presence of the risen Christ who leads us in a different direction, a way of hope that can lead to peace and unity. In Christ, I am not at a loss. for as the Apostle Paul affirms, "We know that our old self was crucified with Christ so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin... So we also must consider ourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus" (Romans 6:6, 11).

The Apostle Paul affirms that the realm of sin is real and powerful, a power that can quickly erupt into weaponizing words and the use of violence against one another. Sin seeks to divide and not to unite; sin favors death and not life. But in Christ, we have the victor over sin and death: "The death he (Christ) died, he died to sin, ONCE AND FOR ALL; but the life he lives, he lives to God" (Romans 6:10).

So rather than feeling at a "loss" or hopeless at the current conditions of a world broken with the sin of disrespect, hatred, and violence, may we turn in the direction of the peace and hope offered in the eternal presence of the risen Jesus who took on the whole sin of humanity and bore it on the cross. As the Apostle Paul counsels, "No longer present your members to sin as weapons of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and present your members to God as instruments of righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under the law but under grace" (Romans 6:13-14).

To want to address the challenging concerns of today and the power of sin at work that weaponizes and divides, and to do so apart from the guiding presence of the risen Jesus and the Holy Spirit is futile and deadly. Again from the Apostle Paul, "To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace" (Romans 8:6).

In Christ, we need no longer submit to the way of sin, even though its power is still present in the world, seeking to divide and destroy. In Christ, we now have the ability to live for God by walking the path of Jesus, a path that leads to life.

In Christ, we shall not lose hope. Jesus is the change that can put a stop to the violence and hatred in this world, and bring us to the realization that "all who are led by the Spirit are children of God" (Romans 8;14).

Stay safe and strong in faith!    Pastor John

Grace and peace to all our Sisters and Brothers in Christ.

I am pained at the amount of disrespect and hurt we humans bring upon other humans, often culminating in physical violence and death. When we weaponize our words, it is only a short step to the use of physical weapons that are intended to inflict harm and even death. One wonders if any place is safe from the potential to explode into violence. Is the destruction of any life a resolve to the differences we perceive in one another? 

I was almost ready to write that I'm at a loss over what might be done to address the matter of the hurt and the hate that we seem to bring into our world. But I'm cautioned by the presence of the risen Christ who leads us in a different direction, a way of hope that can lead to peace and unity. In Christ, I am not at a loss. for as the Apostle Paul affirms, "We know that our old self was crucified with Christ so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin... So we also must consider ourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus" (Romans 6:6, 11).

The Apostle Paul affirms that the realm of sin is real and powerful, a power that can quickly erupt into weaponizing words and the use of violence against one another. Sin seeks to divide and not to unite; sin favors death and not life. But in Christ, we have the victor over sin and death: "The death he (Christ) died, he died to sin, ONCE AND FOR ALL; but the life he lives, he lives to God" (Romans 6:10).

So rather than feeling at a "loss" or hopeless at the current conditions of a world broken with the sin of disrespect, hatred, and violence, may we turn in the direction of the peace and hope offered in the eternal presence of the risen Jesus who took on the whole sin of humanity and bore it on the cross. As the Apostle Paul counsels, "No longer present your members to sin as weapons of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and present your members to God as instruments of righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under the law but under grace" (Romans 6:13-14).

To want to address the challenging concerns of today and the power of sin at work that weaponizes and divides, and to do so apart from the guiding presence of the risen Jesus and the Holy Spirit is futile and deadly. Again from the Apostle Paul, "To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace" (Romans 8:6).

In Christ, we need no longer submit to the way of sin, even though its power is still present in the world, seeking to divide and destroy. In Christ, we now have the ability to live for God by walking the path of Jesus, a path that leads to life.

In Christ, we shall not lose hope. Jesus is the change that can put a stop to the violence and hatred in this world, and bring us to the realization that "all who are led by the Spirit are children of God" (Romans 8;14).

Stay safe and strong in faith!    Pastor John

Grace and peace to all our Sisters and Brothers in Christ.

I am pained at the amount of disrespect and hurt we humans bring upon other humans, often culminating in physical violence and death. When we weaponize our words, it is only a short step to the use of physical weapons that are intended to inflict harm and even death. One wonders if any place is safe from the potential to explode into violence. Is the destruction of any life a resolve to the differences we perceive in one another? 

I was almost ready to write that I'm at a loss over what might be done to address the matter of the hurt and the hate that we seem to bring into our world. But I'm cautioned by the presence of the risen Christ who leads us in a different direction, a way of hope that can lead to peace and unity. In Christ, I am not at a loss. for as the Apostle Paul affirms, "We know that our old self was crucified with Christ so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin... So we also must consider ourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus" (Romans 6:6, 11).

The Apostle Paul affirms that the realm of sin is real and powerful, a power that can quickly erupt into weaponizing words and the use of violence against one another. Sin seeks to divide and not to unite; sin favors death and not life. But in Christ, we have the victor over sin and death: "The death he (Christ) died, he died to sin, ONCE AND FOR ALL; but the life he lives, he lives to God" (Romans 6:10).

So rather than feeling at a "loss" or hopeless at the current conditions of a world broken with the sin of disrespect, hatred, and violence, may we turn in the direction of the peace and hope offered in the eternal presence of the risen Jesus who took on the whole sin of humanity and bore it on the cross. As the Apostle Paul counsels, "No longer present your members to sin as weapons of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and present your members to God as instruments of righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under the law but under grace" (Romans 6:13-14).

To want to address the challenging concerns of today and the power of sin at work that weaponizes and divides, and to do so apart from the guiding presence of the risen Jesus and the Holy Spirit is futile and deadly. Again from the Apostle Paul, "To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace" (Romans 8:6).

In Christ, we need no longer submit to the way of sin, even though its power is still present in the world, seeking to divide and destroy. In Christ, we now have the ability to live for God by walking the path of Jesus, a path that leads to life.

In Christ, we shall not lose hope. Jesus is the change that can put a stop to the violence and hatred in this world, and bring us to the realization that "all who are led by the Spirit are children of God" (Romans 8;14).

Stay safe and strong in faith!    Pastor John

Grace and peace to all our Sisters and Brothers in Christ.

I am pained at the amount of disrespect and hurt we humans bring upon other humans, often culminating in physical violence and death. When we weaponize our words, it is only a short step to the use of physical weapons that are intended to inflict harm and even death. One wonders if any place is safe from the potential to explode into violence. Is the destruction of any life a resolve to the differences we perceive in one another? 

I was almost ready to write that I'm at a loss over what might be done to address the matter of the hurt and the hate that we seem to bring into our world. But I'm cautioned by the presence of the risen Christ who leads us in a different direction, a way of hope that can lead to peace and unity. In Christ, I am not at a loss. for as the Apostle Paul affirms, "We know that our old self was crucified with Christ so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin... So we also must consider ourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus" (Romans 6:6, 11).

The Apostle Paul affirms that the realm of sin is real and powerful, a power that can quickly erupt into weaponizing words and the use of violence against one another. Sin seeks to divide and not to unite; sin favors death and not life. But in Christ, we have the victor over sin and death: "The death he (Christ) died, he died to sin, ONCE AND FOR ALL; but the life he lives, he lives to God" (Romans 6:10).

So rather than feeling at a "loss" or hopeless at the current conditions of a world broken with the sin of disrespect, hatred, and violence, may we turn in the direction of the peace and hope offered in the eternal presence of the risen Jesus who took on the whole sin of humanity and bore it on the cross. As the Apostle Paul counsels, "No longer present your members to sin as weapons of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and present your members to God as instruments of righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under the law but under grace" (Romans 6:13-14).

To want to address the challenging concerns of today and the power of sin at work that weaponizes and divides, and to do so apart from the guiding presence of the risen Jesus and the Holy Spirit is futile and deadly. Again from the Apostle Paul, "To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace" (Romans 8:6).

In Christ, we need no longer submit to the way of sin, even though its power is still present in the world, seeking to divide and destroy. In Christ, we now have the ability to live for God by walking the path of Jesus, a path that leads to life.

In Christ, we shall not lose hope. Jesus is the change that can put a stop to the violence and hatred in this world, and bring us to the realization that "all who are led by the Spirit are children of God" (Romans 8;14).

Stay safe and strong in faith!    Pastor John

Grace and peace to all our Sisters and Brothers in Christ.

I am pained at the amount of disrespect and hurt we humans bring upon other humans, often culminating in physical violence and death. When we weaponize our words, it is only a short step to the use of physical weapons that are intended to inflict harm and even death. One wonders if any place is safe from the potential to explode into violence. Is the destruction of any life a resolve to the differences we perceive in one another? 

I was almost ready to write that I'm at a loss over what might be done to address the matter of the hurt and the hate that we seem to bring into our world. But I'm cautioned by the presence of the risen Christ who leads us in a different direction, a way of hope that can lead to peace and unity. In Christ, I am not at a loss. for as the Apostle Paul affirms, "We know that our old self was crucified with Christ so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin... So we also must consider ourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus" (Romans 6:6, 11).

The Apostle Paul affirms that the realm of sin is real and powerful, a power that can quickly erupt into weaponizing words and the use of violence against one another. Sin seeks to divide and not to unite; sin favors death and not life. But in Christ, we have the victor over sin and death: "The death he (Christ) died, he died to sin, ONCE AND FOR ALL; but the life he lives, he lives to God" (Romans 6:10).

So rather than feeling at a "loss" or hopeless at the current conditions of a world broken with the sin of disrespect, hatred, and violence, may we turn in the direction of the peace and hope offered in the eternal presence of the risen Jesus who took on the whole sin of humanity and bore it on the cross. As the Apostle Paul counsels, "No longer present your members to sin as weapons of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and present your members to God as instruments of righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under the law but under grace" (Romans 6:13-14).

To want to address the challenging concerns of today and the power of sin at work that weaponizes and divides, and to do so apart from the guiding presence of the risen Jesus and the Holy Spirit is futile and deadly. Again from the Apostle Paul, "To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace" (Romans 8:6).

In Christ, we need no longer submit to the way of sin, even though its power is still present in the world, seeking to divide and destroy. In Christ, we now have the ability to live for God by walking the path of Jesus, a path that leads to life.

In Christ, we shall not lose hope. Jesus is the change that can put a stop to the violence and hatred in this world, and bring us to the realization that "all who are led by the Spirit are children of God" (Romans 8;14).

Stay safe and strong in faith!    Pastor John

Grace and peace to all our Sisters and Brothers in Christ.

I am pained at the amount of disrespect and hurt we humans bring upon other humans, often culminating in physical violence and death. When we weaponize our words, it is only a short step to the use of physical weapons that are intended to inflict harm and even death. One wonders if any place is safe from the potential to explode into violence. Is the destruction of any life a resolve to the differences we perceive in one another? 

I was almost ready to write that I'm at a loss over what might be done to address the matter of the hurt and the hate that we seem to bring into our world. But I'm cautioned by the presence of the risen Christ who leads us in a different direction, a way of hope that can lead to peace and unity. In Christ, I am not at a loss. for as the Apostle Paul affirms, "We know that our old self was crucified with Christ so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin... So we also must consider ourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus" (Romans 6:6, 11).

The Apostle Paul affirms that the realm of sin is real and powerful, a power that can quickly erupt into weaponizing words and the use of violence against one another. Sin seeks to divide and not to unite; sin favors death and not life. But in Christ, we have the victor over sin and death: "The death he (Christ) died, he died to sin, ONCE AND FOR ALL; but the life he lives, he lives to God" (Romans 6:10).

So rather than feeling at a "loss" or hopeless at the current conditions of a world broken with the sin of disrespect, hatred, and violence, may we turn in the direction of the peace and hope offered in the eternal presence of the risen Jesus who took on the whole sin of humanity and bore it on the cross. As the Apostle Paul counsels, "No longer present your members to sin as weapons of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and present your members to God as instruments of righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under the law but under grace" (Romans 6:13-14).

To want to address the challenging concerns of today and the power of sin at work that weaponizes and divides, and to do so apart from the guiding presence of the risen Jesus and the Holy Spirit is futile and deadly. Again from the Apostle Paul, "To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace" (Romans 8:6).

In Christ, we need no longer submit to the way of sin, even though its power is still present in the world, seeking to divide and destroy. In Christ, we now have the ability to live for God by walking the path of Jesus, a path that leads to life.

In Christ, we shall not lose hope. Jesus is the change that can put a stop to the violence and hatred in this world, and bring us to the realization that "all who are led by the Spirit are children of God" (Romans 8;14).

Stay safe and strong in faith!    Pastor John

Grace and peace to all our Sisters and Brothers in Christ.

I am pained at the amount of disrespect and hurt we humans bring upon other humans, often culminating in physical violence and death. When we weaponize our words, it is only a short step to the use of physical weapons that are intended to inflict harm and even death. One wonders if any place is safe from the potential to explode into violence. Is the destruction of any life a resolve to the differences we perceive in one another? 

I was almost ready to write that I'm at a loss over what might be done to address the matter of the hurt and the hate that we seem to bring into our world. But I'm cautioned by the presence of the risen Christ who leads us in a different direction, a way of hope that can lead to peace and unity. In Christ, I am not at a loss. for as the Apostle Paul affirms, "We know that our old self was crucified with Christ so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin... So we also must consider ourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus" (Romans 6:6, 11).

The Apostle Paul affirms that the realm of sin is real and powerful, a power that can quickly erupt into weaponizing words and the use of violence against one another. Sin seeks to divide and not to unite; sin favors death and not life. But in Christ, we have the victor over sin and death: "The death he (Christ) died, he died to sin, ONCE AND FOR ALL; but the life he lives, he lives to God" (Romans 6:10).

So rather than feeling at a "loss" or hopeless at the current conditions of a world broken with the sin of disrespect, hatred, and violence, may we turn in the direction of the peace and hope offered in the eternal presence of the risen Jesus who took on the whole sin of humanity and bore it on the cross. As the Apostle Paul counsels, "No longer present your members to sin as weapons of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and present your members to God as instruments of righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under the law but under grace" (Romans 6:13-14).

To want to address the challenging concerns of today and the power of sin at work that weaponizes and divides, and to do so apart from the guiding presence of the risen Jesus and the Holy Spirit is futile and deadly. Again from the Apostle Paul, "To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace" (Romans 8:6).

In Christ, we need no longer submit to the way of sin, even though its power is still present in the world, seeking to divide and destroy. In Christ, we now have the ability to live for God by walking the path of Jesus, a path that leads to life.

In Christ, we shall not lose hope. Jesus is the change that can put a stop to the violence and hatred in this world, and bring us to the realization that "all who are led by the Spirit are children of God" (Romans 8;14).

Stay safe and strong in faith!    Pastor John

Grace and peace to all our Sisters and Brothers in Christ.

I am pained at the amount of disrespect and hurt we humans bring upon other humans, often culminating in physical violence and death. When we weaponize our words, it is only a short step to the use of physical weapons that are intended to inflict harm and even death. One wonders if any place is safe from the potential to explode into violence. Is the destruction of any life a resolve to the differences we perceive in one another? 

I was almost ready to write that I'm at a loss over what might be done to address the matter of the hurt and the hate that we seem to bring into our world. But I'm cautioned by the presence of the risen Christ who leads us in a different direction, a way of hope that can lead to peace and unity. In Christ, I am not at a loss. for as the Apostle Paul affirms, "We know that our old self was crucified with Christ so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin... So we also must consider ourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus" (Romans 6:6, 11).

The Apostle Paul affirms that the realm of sin is real and powerful, a power that can quickly erupt into weaponizing words and the use of violence against one another. Sin seeks to divide and not to unite; sin favors death and not life. But in Christ, we have the victor over sin and death: "The death he (Christ) died, he died to sin, ONCE AND FOR ALL; but the life he lives, he lives to God" (Romans 6:10).

So rather than feeling at a "loss" or hopeless at the current conditions of a world broken with the sin of disrespect, hatred, and violence, may we turn in the direction of the peace and hope offered in the eternal presence of the risen Jesus who took on the whole sin of humanity and bore it on the cross. As the Apostle Paul counsels, "No longer present your members to sin as weapons of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and present your members to God as instruments of righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under the law but under grace" (Romans 6:13-14).

To want to address the challenging concerns of today and the power of sin at work that weaponizes and divides, and to do so apart from the guiding presence of the risen Jesus and the Holy Spirit is futile and deadly. Again from the Apostle Paul, "To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace" (Romans 8:6).

In Christ, we need no longer submit to the way of sin, even though its power is still present in the world, seeking to divide and destroy. In Christ, we now have the ability to live for God by walking the path of Jesus, a path that leads to life.

In Christ, we shall not lose hope. Jesus is the change that can put a stop to the violence and hatred in this world, and bring us to the realization that "all who are led by the Spirit are children of God" (Romans 8;14).

Stay safe and strong in faith!    Pastor John

Grace and peace to all our Sisters and Brothers in Christ.

I am pained at the amount of disrespect and hurt we humans bring upon other humans, often culminating in physical violence and death. When we weaponize our words, it is only a short step to the use of physical weapons that are intended to inflict harm and even death. One wonders if any place is safe from the potential to explode into violence. Is the destruction of any life a resolve to the differences we perceive in one another? 

I was almost ready to write that I'm at a loss over what might be done to address the matter of the hurt and the hate that we seem to bring into our world. But I'm cautioned by the presence of the risen Christ who leads us in a different direction, a way of hope that can lead to peace and unity. In Christ, I am not at a loss. for as the Apostle Paul affirms, "We know that our old self was crucified with Christ so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin... So we also must consider ourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus" (Romans 6:6, 11).

The Apostle Paul affirms that the realm of sin is real and powerful, a power that can quickly erupt into weaponizing words and the use of violence against one another. Sin seeks to divide and not to unite; sin favors death and not life. But in Christ, we have the victor over sin and death: "The death he (Christ) died, he died to sin, ONCE AND FOR ALL; but the life he lives, he lives to God" (Romans 6:10).

So rather than feeling at a "loss" or hopeless at the current conditions of a world broken with the sin of disrespect, hatred, and violence, may we turn in the direction of the peace and hope offered in the eternal presence of the risen Jesus who took on the whole sin of humanity and bore it on the cross. As the Apostle Paul counsels, "No longer present your members to sin as weapons of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and present your members to God as instruments of righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under the law but under grace" (Romans 6:13-14).

To want to address the challenging concerns of today and the power of sin at work that weaponizes and divides, and to do so apart from the guiding presence of the risen Jesus and the Holy Spirit is futile and deadly. Again from the Apostle Paul, "To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace" (Romans 8:6).

In Christ, we need no longer submit to the way of sin, even though its power is still present in the world, seeking to divide and destroy. In Christ, we now have the ability to live for God by walking the path of Jesus, a path that leads to life.

In Christ, we shall not lose hope. Jesus is the change that can put a stop to the violence and hatred in this world, and bring us to the realization that "all who are led by the Spirit are children of God" (Romans 8;14).

Stay safe and strong in faith!    Pastor John

Grace and peace to all our Sisters and Brothers in Christ.

I am pained at the amount of disrespect and hurt we humans bring upon other humans, often culminating in physical violence and death. When we weaponize our words, it is only a short step to the use of physical weapons that are intended to inflict harm and even death. One wonders if any place is safe from the potential to explode into violence. Is the destruction of any life a resolve to the differences we perceive in one another? 

I was almost ready to write that I'm at a loss over what might be done to address the matter of the hurt and the hate that we seem to bring into our world. But I'm cautioned by the presence of the risen Christ who leads us in a different direction, a way of hope that can lead to peace and unity. In Christ, I am not at a loss. for as the Apostle Paul affirms, "We know that our old self was crucified with Christ so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin... So we also must consider ourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus" (Romans 6:6, 11).

The Apostle Paul affirms that the realm of sin is real and powerful, a power that can quickly erupt into weaponizing words and the use of violence against one another. Sin seeks to divide and not to unite; sin favors death and not life. But in Christ, we have the victor over sin and death: "The death he (Christ) died, he died to sin, ONCE AND FOR ALL; but the life he lives, he lives to God" (Romans 6:10).

So rather than feeling at a "loss" or hopeless at the current conditions of a world broken with the sin of disrespect, hatred, and violence, may we turn in the direction of the peace and hope offered in the eternal presence of the risen Jesus who took on the whole sin of humanity and bore it on the cross. As the Apostle Paul counsels, "No longer present your members to sin as weapons of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and present your members to God as instruments of righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under the law but under grace" (Romans 6:13-14).

To want to address the challenging concerns of today and the power of sin at work that weaponizes and divides, and to do so apart from the guiding presence of the risen Jesus and the Holy Spirit is futile and deadly. Again from the Apostle Paul, "To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace" (Romans 8:6).

In Christ, we need no longer submit to the way of sin, even though its power is still present in the world, seeking to divide and destroy. In Christ, we now have the ability to live for God by walking the path of Jesus, a path that leads to life.

In Christ, we shall not lose hope. Jesus is the change that can put a stop to the violence and hatred in this world, and bring us to the realization that "all who are led by the Spirit are children of God" (Romans 8;14).

Stay safe and strong in faith!    Pastor John

Grace and peace to all our Sisters and Brothers in Christ.

I am pained at the amount of disrespect and hurt we humans bring upon other humans, often culminating in physical violence and death. When we weaponize our words, it is only a short step to the use of physical weapons that are intended to inflict harm and even death. One wonders if any place is safe from the potential to explode into violence. Is the destruction of any life a resolve to the differences we perceive in one another? 

I was almost ready to write that I'm at a loss over what might be done to address the matter of the hurt and the hate that we seem to bring into our world. But I'm cautioned by the presence of the risen Christ who leads us in a different direction, a way of hope that can lead to peace and unity. In Christ, I am not at a loss. for as the Apostle Paul affirms, "We know that our old self was crucified with Christ so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin... So we also must consider ourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus" (Romans 6:6, 11).

The Apostle Paul affirms that the realm of sin is real and powerful, a power that can quickly erupt into weaponizing words and the use of violence against one another. Sin seeks to divide and not to unite; sin favors death and not life. But in Christ, we have the victor over sin and death: "The death he (Christ) died, he died to sin, ONCE AND FOR ALL; but the life he lives, he lives to God" (Romans 6:10).

So rather than feeling at a "loss" or hopeless at the current conditions of a world broken with the sin of disrespect, hatred, and violence, may we turn in the direction of the peace and hope offered in the eternal presence of the risen Jesus who took on the whole sin of humanity and bore it on the cross. As the Apostle Paul counsels, "No longer present your members to sin as weapons of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and present your members to God as instruments of righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under the law but under grace" (Romans 6:13-14).

To want to address the challenging concerns of today and the power of sin at work that weaponizes and divides, and to do so apart from the guiding presence of the risen Jesus and the Holy Spirit is futile and deadly. Again from the Apostle Paul, "To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace" (Romans 8:6).

In Christ, we need no longer submit to the way of sin, even though its power is still present in the world, seeking to divide and destroy. In Christ, we now have the ability to live for God by walking the path of Jesus, a path that leads to life.

In Christ, we shall not lose hope. Jesus is the change that can put a stop to the violence and hatred in this world, and bring us to the realization that "all who are led by the Spirit are children of God" (Romans 8;14).

Stay safe and strong in faith!    Pastor John

Grace and peace to all our Sisters and Brothers in Christ.

I am pained at the amount of disrespect and hurt we humans bring upon other humans, often culminating in physical violence and death. When we weaponize our words, it is only a short step to the use of physical weapons that are intended to inflict harm and even death. One wonders if any place is safe from the potential to explode into violence. Is the destruction of any life a resolve to the differences we perceive in one another? 

I was almost ready to write that I'm at a loss over what might be done to address the matter of the hurt and the hate that we seem to bring into our world. But I'm cautioned by the presence of the risen Christ who leads us in a different direction, a way of hope that can lead to peace and unity. In Christ, I am not at a loss. for as the Apostle Paul affirms, "We know that our old self was crucified with Christ so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin... So we also must consider ourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus" (Romans 6:6, 11).

The Apostle Paul affirms that the realm of sin is real and powerful, a power that can quickly erupt into weaponizing words and the use of violence against one another. Sin seeks to divide and not to unite; sin favors death and not life. But in Christ, we have the victor over sin and death: "The death he (Christ) died, he died to sin, ONCE AND FOR ALL; but the life he lives, he lives to God" (Romans 6:10).

So rather than feeling at a "loss" or hopeless at the current conditions of a world broken with the sin of disrespect, hatred, and violence, may we turn in the direction of the peace and hope offered in the eternal presence of the risen Jesus who took on the whole sin of humanity and bore it on the cross. As the Apostle Paul counsels, "No longer present your members to sin as weapons of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and present your members to God as instruments of righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under the law but under grace" (Romans 6:13-14).

To want to address the challenging concerns of today and the power of sin at work that weaponizes and divides, and to do so apart from the guiding presence of the risen Jesus and the Holy Spirit is futile and deadly. Again from the Apostle Paul, "To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace" (Romans 8:6).

In Christ, we need no longer submit to the way of sin, even though its power is still present in the world, seeking to divide and destroy. In Christ, we now have the ability to live for God by walking the path of Jesus, a path that leads to life.

In Christ, we shall not lose hope. Jesus is the change that can put a stop to the violence and hatred in this world, and bring us to the realization that "all who are led by the Spirit are children of God" (Romans 8;14).

Stay safe and strong in faith!    Pastor John

Grace and peace to all our Sisters and Brothers in Christ.

I am pained at the amount of disrespect and hurt we humans bring upon other humans, often culminating in physical violence and death. When we weaponize our words, it is only a short step to the use of physical weapons that are intended to inflict harm and even death. One wonders if any place is safe from the potential to explode into violence. Is the destruction of any life a resolve to the differences we perceive in one another? 

I was almost ready to write that I'm at a loss over what might be done to address the matter of the hurt and the hate that we seem to bring into our world. But I'm cautioned by the presence of the risen Christ who leads us in a different direction, a way of hope that can lead to peace and unity. In Christ, I am not at a loss. for as the Apostle Paul affirms, "We know that our old self was crucified with Christ so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin... So we also must consider ourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus" (Romans 6:6, 11).

The Apostle Paul affirms that the realm of sin is real and powerful, a power that can quickly erupt into weaponizing words and the use of violence against one another. Sin seeks to divide and not to unite; sin favors death and not life. But in Christ, we have the victor over sin and death: "The death he (Christ) died, he died to sin, ONCE AND FOR ALL; but the life he lives, he lives to God" (Romans 6:10).

So rather than feeling at a "loss" or hopeless at the current conditions of a world broken with the sin of disrespect, hatred, and violence, may we turn in the direction of the peace and hope offered in the eternal presence of the risen Jesus who took on the whole sin of humanity and bore it on the cross. As the Apostle Paul counsels, "No longer present your members to sin as weapons of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and present your members to God as instruments of righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under the law but under grace" (Romans 6:13-14).

To want to address the challenging concerns of today and the power of sin at work that weaponizes and divides, and to do so apart from the guiding presence of the risen Jesus and the Holy Spirit is futile and deadly. Again from the Apostle Paul, "To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace" (Romans 8:6).

In Christ, we need no longer submit to the way of sin, even though its power is still present in the world, seeking to divide and destroy. In Christ, we now have the ability to live for God by walking the path of Jesus, a path that leads to life.

In Christ, we shall not lose hope. Jesus is the change that can put a stop to the violence and hatred in this world, and bring us to the realization that "all who are led by the Spirit are children of God" (Romans 8;14).

Stay safe and strong in faith!    Pastor John

Grace and peace to all our Sisters and Brothers in Christ.

I am pained at the amount of disrespect and hurt we humans bring upon other humans, often culminating in physical violence and death. When we weaponize our words, it is only a short step to the use of physical weapons that are intended to inflict harm and even death. One wonders if any place is safe from the potential to explode into violence. Is the destruction of any life a resolve to the differences we perceive in one another? 

I was almost ready to write that I'm at a loss over what might be done to address the matter of the hurt and the hate that we seem to bring into our world. But I'm cautioned by the presence of the risen Christ who leads us in a different direction, a way of hope that can lead to peace and unity. In Christ, I am not at a loss. for as the Apostle Paul affirms, "We know that our old self was crucified with Christ so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin... So we also must consider ourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus" (Romans 6:6, 11).

The Apostle Paul affirms that the realm of sin is real and powerful, a power that can quickly erupt into weaponizing words and the use of violence against one another. Sin seeks to divide and not to unite; sin favors death and not life. But in Christ, we have the victor over sin and death: "The death he (Christ) died, he died to sin, ONCE AND FOR ALL; but the life he lives, he lives to God" (Romans 6:10).

So rather than feeling at a "loss" or hopeless at the current conditions of a world broken with the sin of disrespect, hatred, and violence, may we turn in the direction of the peace and hope offered in the eternal presence of the risen Jesus who took on the whole sin of humanity and bore it on the cross. As the Apostle Paul counsels, "No longer present your members to sin as weapons of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and present your members to God as instruments of righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under the law but under grace" (Romans 6:13-14).

To want to address the challenging concerns of today and the power of sin at work that weaponizes and divides, and to do so apart from the guiding presence of the risen Jesus and the Holy Spirit is futile and deadly. Again from the Apostle Paul, "To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace" (Romans 8:6).

In Christ, we need no longer submit to the way of sin, even though its power is still present in the world, seeking to divide and destroy. In Christ, we now have the ability to live for God by walking the path of Jesus, a path that leads to life.

In Christ, we shall not lose hope. Jesus is the change that can put a stop to the violence and hatred in this world, and bring us to the realization that "all who are led by the Spirit are children of God" (Romans 8;14).

Stay safe and strong in faith!    Pastor John

Grace and peace to all our Sisters and Brothers in Christ.

I am pained at the amount of disrespect and hurt we humans bring upon other humans, often culminating in physical violence and death. When we weaponize our words, it is only a short step to the use of physical weapons that are intended to inflict harm and even death. One wonders if any place is safe from the potential to explode into violence. Is the destruction of any life a resolve to the differences we perceive in one another? 

I was almost ready to write that I'm at a loss over what might be done to address the matter of the hurt and the hate that we seem to bring into our world. But I'm cautioned by the presence of the risen Christ who leads us in a different direction, a way of hope that can lead to peace and unity. In Christ, I am not at a loss. for as the Apostle Paul affirms, "We know that our old self was crucified with Christ so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin... So we also must consider ourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus" (Romans 6:6, 11).

The Apostle Paul affirms that the realm of sin is real and powerful, a power that can quickly erupt into weaponizing words and the use of violence against one another. Sin seeks to divide and not to unite; sin favors death and not life. But in Christ, we have the victor over sin and death: "The death he (Christ) died, he died to sin, ONCE AND FOR ALL; but the life he lives, he lives to God" (Romans 6:10).

So rather than feeling at a "loss" or hopeless at the current conditions of a world broken with the sin of disrespect, hatred, and violence, may we turn in the direction of the peace and hope offered in the eternal presence of the risen Jesus who took on the whole sin of humanity and bore it on the cross. As the Apostle Paul counsels, "No longer present your members to sin as weapons of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and present your members to God as instruments of righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under the law but under grace" (Romans 6:13-14).

To want to address the challenging concerns of today and the power of sin at work that weaponizes and divides, and to do so apart from the guiding presence of the risen Jesus and the Holy Spirit is futile and deadly. Again from the Apostle Paul, "To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace" (Romans 8:6).

In Christ, we need no longer submit to the way of sin, even though its power is still present in the world, seeking to divide and destroy. In Christ, we now have the ability to live for God by walking the path of Jesus, a path that leads to life.

In Christ, we shall not lose hope. Jesus is the change that can put a stop to the violence and hatred in this world, and bring us to the realization that "all who are led by the Spirit are children of God" (Romans 8;14).

Stay safe and strong in faith!    Pastor John

Grace and peace to all our Sisters and Brothers in Christ.

I am pained at the amount of disrespect and hurt we humans bring upon other humans, often culminating in physical violence and death. When we weaponize our words, it is only a short step to the use of physical weapons that are intended to inflict harm and even death. One wonders if any place is safe from the potential to explode into violence. Is the destruction of any life a resolve to the differences we perceive in one another? 

I was almost ready to write that I'm at a loss over what might be done to address the matter of the hurt and the hate that we seem to bring into our world. But I'm cautioned by the presence of the risen Christ who leads us in a different direction, a way of hope that can lead to peace and unity. In Christ, I am not at a loss. for as the Apostle Paul affirms, "We know that our old self was crucified with Christ so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin... So we also must consider ourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus" (Romans 6:6, 11).

The Apostle Paul affirms that the realm of sin is real and powerful, a power that can quickly erupt into weaponizing words and the use of violence against one another. Sin seeks to divide and not to unite; sin favors death and not life. But in Christ, we have the victor over sin and death: "The death he (Christ) died, he died to sin, ONCE AND FOR ALL; but the life he lives, he lives to God" (Romans 6:10).

So rather than feeling at a "loss" or hopeless at the current conditions of a world broken with the sin of disrespect, hatred, and violence, may we turn in the direction of the peace and hope offered in the eternal presence of the risen Jesus who took on the whole sin of humanity and bore it on the cross. As the Apostle Paul counsels, "No longer present your members to sin as weapons of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and present your members to God as instruments of righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under the law but under grace" (Romans 6:13-14).

To want to address the challenging concerns of today and the power of sin at work that weaponizes and divides, and to do so apart from the guiding presence of the risen Jesus and the Holy Spirit is futile and deadly. Again from the Apostle Paul, "To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace" (Romans 8:6).

In Christ, we need no longer submit to the way of sin, even though its power is still present in the world, seeking to divide and destroy. In Christ, we now have the ability to live for God by walking the path of Jesus, a path that leads to life.

In Christ, we shall not lose hope. Jesus is the change that can put a stop to the violence and hatred in this world, and bring us to the realization that "all who are led by the Spirit are children of God" (Romans 8;14).

Stay safe and strong in faith!    Pastor John

Grace and peace to all our Sisters and Brothers in Christ.

I am pained at the amount of disrespect and hurt we humans bring upon other humans, often culminating in physical violence and death. When we weaponize our words, it is only a short step to the use of physical weapons that are intended to inflict harm and even death. One wonders if any place is safe from the potential to explode into violence. Is the destruction of any life a resolve to the differences we perceive in one another? 

I was almost ready to write that I'm at a loss over what might be done to address the matter of the hurt and the hate that we seem to bring into our world. But I'm cautioned by the presence of the risen Christ who leads us in a different direction, a way of hope that can lead to peace and unity. In Christ, I am not at a loss. for as the Apostle Paul affirms, "We know that our old self was crucified with Christ so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin... So we also must consider ourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus" (Romans 6:6, 11).

The Apostle Paul affirms that the realm of sin is real and powerful, a power that can quickly erupt into weaponizing words and the use of violence against one another. Sin seeks to divide and not to unite; sin favors death and not life. But in Christ, we have the victor over sin and death: "The death he (Christ) died, he died to sin, ONCE AND FOR ALL; but the life he lives, he lives to God" (Romans 6:10).

So rather than feeling at a "loss" or hopeless at the current conditions of a world broken with the sin of disrespect, hatred, and violence, may we turn in the direction of the peace and hope offered in the eternal presence of the risen Jesus who took on the whole sin of humanity and bore it on the cross. As the Apostle Paul counsels, "No longer present your members to sin as weapons of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and present your members to God as instruments of righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under the law but under grace" (Romans 6:13-14).

To want to address the challenging concerns of today and the power of sin at work that weaponizes and divides, and to do so apart from the guiding presence of the risen Jesus and the Holy Spirit is futile and deadly. Again from the Apostle Paul, "To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace" (Romans 8:6).

In Christ, we need no longer submit to the way of sin, even though its power is still present in the world, seeking to divide and destroy. In Christ, we now have the ability to live for God by walking the path of Jesus, a path that leads to life.

In Christ, we shall not lose hope. Jesus is the change that can put a stop to the violence and hatred in this world, and bring us to the realization that "all who are led by the Spirit are children of God" (Romans 8;14).

Stay safe and strong in faith!    Pastor John