Posts by Michael Nelson (Page 5)

Weekly Update – December 14th, 2023 On Sunday, we took the Lord’s Supper together as a church.  We did so on the second week of November as well.  For years, our church, like many other Southern Baptist Churches, took the Lord’s Supper once a quarter.  We then moved it to once every other month.  But now, we are scheduled to take it monthly together.  Perhaps you are wondering why?  Why have we moved it to monthly, and then furthermore, does…

Weekly Update – December 7th, 202 Every year we collect an offering for international missions.  Most of you should be fairly familiar with it since this offering has been a part of our denomination since 1888.  What that means is that this offering is not a generational tradition started by an older generation or our parent’s generation, but instead it is a tradition that has been in our denomination and in our church since its early days.  But why is…

Weekly Update – November 30th, 2023 Yesterday I was reading from Psalm chapter 5 and verse 7 stuck out to me.  The Psalmist writes, “But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love will enter your house.”  David here is writing in contrast to the wicked who will not “stand” or “dwell” in God’s presence.  His expectation is different though, as his trust rests in the Lord.  In this Psalm, David is clear here that his trust does not rest…

Weekly Update – November 23rd, 2023 As a child, I grew up around most of my family.  We would all get together throughout the year, whether it was for birthdays, special weekends or other celebrations.  But the one holiday that always stuck out, where the entire family came together around one or sometimes two tables was Thanksgiving.  It was around these tables that we had turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, stuffing and every kind of casserole, along with pumpkin pie and…

Weekly Update – November 16th, 2023 In Ephesians 1:19, the apostle Paul prays that the Ephesians would have the eyes of their hearts enlightened to see the immeasurable greatness of God’s power toward those who believe.  Then in verse 20, we get a glimpse into what Paul meant by power.  By power, Paul prayed that the Ephesians would see the same power that was at work when God raised Jesus Christ from the dead.  This power was already within the…

Weekly Update – November 9th, 2023 On Sunday we had the privilege of witnessing two baptisms: Kerrstin Petty and Timothy Goodman.  We believe that baptism is not only a personal event, where the one being dipped in the water is symbolizing the change that has taken place in their hearts, but that baptism is also a public event.  What I mean is, we believe that the one professing Christ in baptism, must do so in front of the gathered church. …

Weekly Update – November 2nd, 2023 The event that took place on October 31st, 1517, is more than simply a time in history.  It is our heritage as Christians.  We believe that we live the way that we do, because God in His grace, chose to act and bring a recovery of His gospel back to His church.  What we look back upon, more than 500 years ago, is the reformation of the church.  It all began with a young…

Weekly Update – October 26th, 2023 The atrocities that are occurring in the middle east right now have been difficult for many to process.  I know that for myself, I have been trying to wrap my mind around how certain men can be so brutal to innocent children with their actions.  War is not a new concept to us.  People and nations have been in conflict with one another since the world fell into sin.  Even in our time, war…

Weekly Update – October 19th, 2023 Let me start off with a bit of confession here.  There is something that I rarely do, but I am often pressed to start.  It is the habit of journaling.  To some of us, this may be a completely foreign concept.  Perhaps journaling causes you to think of a diary that a young adolescent girl might write down all of her private thoughts.  Or perhaps you think of someone writing an autobiography for publishing. …

Weekly Update – October 12th, 2023 At our last members’ meeting, we presented 60 names to potentially be removed from membership at our next meeting in December.  For the past several years, from time to time, there were lists like this that were presented to the church.  Typically, the names on the list are inactive members for whom we have no contact information.  That means that if someone looks at one of these names and knows how to get in…

Weekly Update – October 5th, 2023 What do we mean when we use the word worship?  Then, from there, if we understand what worship is, how are we supposed to worship?  In Romans 12:1, Paul writes, “I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.”  What this verse shows us is that broadly speaking, worship is a response to the mercy…

Weekly Update – September 28th, 2023 Last Sunday we looked at 2 Samuel 5-6 in our study through 1st and 2nd Samuel.  In many ways, we saw a picture here of God’s kingdom coming, as victory is achieved, holiness is displayed and joy results for those who have been brought near to God.  It is a wonderful time for Israel as they are now united under God’s “prince” (5:2) with God leading them as their king.  But amid all the…