Pastor's Blog

Consider doing some (or maybe all) of these things this Christmas Season. You'll have more margins and opportunities to encounter Christ this Christmas Season and more opportunities to reflect Him to others as well.

As we enter 2025, let's keep three very important words before us: Ask. Align. Advance.

The spiritual condition of our nation is dire. We are a nation of no God and at the same time 'many gods.' Historic Christianity is increasingly mocked and the culture is increasingly demanding that Christians and the Church conform to the culture, or else. We are in grave spiritual danger. No politician or party can reverse our course-but the Living God can if He so chooses. Christians must pray earnestly for an authentic Great Awakening and for authentic revival and reformation.

The Lord has been blessing Stonebridge Baptist Church mightily. We must thank Him and continue to seek Him in all things. He is worthy of our thanksgiving and praise. As we move toward a building program and as we prepare to revise our constitution to better align with the Word of God, we look back and thank God for His faithfulness and goodness toward us, and we look forward in faith for the plans and purposes He has for us.

Watching the events unfold in Israel is heartbreaking. How are we to respond and how are we to pray as Christians?

What an amazing work the Lord is doing in our church! We must stay in prayer, in the Word, and praise and thank God for who He is, what He is doing, and continue to seek Him as we walk by faith. God is moving in our church!

As I prepare to leave for Sabbatical, I not only want to say 'thank you' to the church family, but also praise and thank God for the wonderful things He is doing. I also want to encourage you all to keep your eyes on Him and continue to move forward in faith!

We said, as a nation, after 9/11, that we would 'never forget,' and yet, on the 20th anniversary of 9/11, we must ask ourselves if we truly have remembered, and, if we have truly wrestled with what it means for God to be Sovereign over all things, including 9/11. What is He saying, and how should we respond?

As the culture continues to buy and sell lies, and to demand conformity to the lies, Christians must be a people who walk in Truth, even if it is costly.

Yes the times are dark. They seem to be getting darker by the day. The answer is not escapism, nor is it retreat. The answer is and has always been Jesus. How the people who bear His Name respond in these tumultuous times, is so very important.

The Covid-19 pandemic is real. Suffering and pain are real. Financial stress, concern over employment and family and loved ones is real. Sometimes, however, if we are not careful, our fears dictate our lives. This should not be the case for God's people. We can rest in God. He is Good. He is Sovereign. He loves you. He is in this time with all of us.

These are uncertain times, and people are justifiably concerned, but the Lord is at work! We must stay in prayer and in the Word and fix our eyes on Christ to run the race before us.

America is rapidly sliding into secularism. Many in the American evangelical church are worried, scared or confused. Others still have no idea as to the severity of the storm that is already making landfall. I am thankful to call Pastor/Professor Pietro Ciavarella my friend and brother in Christ. Pietro pastors in Firenza (Florence), Italy, birthplace of the Renaissance. The people of Florence (and Italy as a whole) are largely secular and indifferent to the gospel. Pietro has words of encouragement for us moving forward, things we should remember.

As our culture rapidly changes and moves toward a new type of Dark Age, evangelical Christians in America must have a compelling vision for not only preserving the faith, but advancing the kingdom despite increasing hostility and opposition.

The way forward in this new 'Dark Age' is to return to the ancient paths.

Our churches need revival. God is working in our church. We must not confuse praying for authentic revival with revivalism.

We should always thank God for His grace and mercy toward us

There are some exciting and new things taking place on Wednesdays and Saturdays! Come check them out!

If we are to move forward in a way that honors Christ we must be in tune with the Holy Spirit and abiding in Christ. As such, we must be united in prayer.