October 4, 2026

  • October 1, 2026
  • BY Sydney Bylsma
  • no responses

This Sunday, we come to one of the most memorable lines in all the Bible. Mordecai challenges Esther to choose courage and risk her life to plead on behalf of her people. Mordecai famously asks, “Who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14). In response, … [Read More…] October 4, 2026

FILED UNDER: From Pastor Philip

September 27, 2026

  • September 24, 2026
  • BY Sydney Bylsma
  • no responses

Sometimes we have this naïve assumption that following God is going to lead to a comfortable and easy life. After all, if God is for us, shouldn’t that mean things will always go well? But it doesn’t take much reading in the Bible to realize that’s simply not true. Look at Jesus and how much … [Read More…] September 27, 2026

FILED UNDER: From Pastor Philip

September 20, 2026

  • September 17, 2026
  • BY Sydney Bylsma
  • no responses

I hope you’re enjoying the start to our series through the book of Esther. The story, of course, takes place in the midst of the pressures of life in exile. When you’re a disempowered minority swept up in a dominant culture whose values run counter to your own, that can be a disconcerting reality to … [Read More…] September 20, 2026

FILED UNDER: From Pastor Philip

September 13, 2026

  • September 10, 2026
  • BY Sydney Bylsma
  • no responses

I’m so looking forward to Sunday! What’s not to love? It’s MoodyFest and the start of our autumn series through the Old Testament book of Esther!    Our family is really looking forward to being with you again. Our end-of-summer break was a life-giving mixture of ministry, vacation, study, and rest. We come back reinvigorated … [Read More…] September 13, 2026

FILED UNDER: From Pastor Philip

September 06, 2026

  • September 3, 2026
  • BY Sydney Bylsma
  • no responses

Years ago, I was talking with someone in a difficult marriage. Thankfully, it wasn’t my wife. I’m going to leave out their gender because it could happen with either the husband or the wife. One of the challenges they faced was that their spouse was surprisingly lazy. Even though they both worked full time, one … [Read More…] September 06, 2026

FILED UNDER: From Pastor Philip

August 30, 2026

  • August 27, 2026
  • BY Sydney Bylsma
  • no responses

“What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” —A.W. Tozer   God is infinite and holy and we are neither. That means it is not possible for us to understand God fully. As the apostle Paul says, “For now we see in a mirror dimly” (1 … [Read More…] August 30, 2026

FILED UNDER: From Pastor Philip

August 23, 2026

  • August 20, 2026
  • BY Sydney Bylsma
  • no responses

Do you see God’s commands as gifts? That’s really what they are, even if the devil wants us to believe the commands are given to restrict our freedom and happiness.   Take for example the command, “Do not be anxious about anything.” Is there a more needed and hopeful commandment for young people today? Anxiety … [Read More…] August 23, 2026

FILED UNDER: From Pastor Philip

August 16, 2026

  • August 13, 2026
  • BY Sydney Bylsma
  • no responses

What would you do if you were given one million dollars? For most, that would cover all debt and allow for some fun shopping trips. Perhaps a new car, a new or completely renovated home, a refreshed wardrobe—and a personal trainer to help you fit into it!   You could also do a lot of … [Read More…] August 16, 2026

FILED UNDER: From Pastor Philip

August 09, 2026

  • August 6, 2026
  • BY Sydney Bylsma
  • no responses

When you think of Jesus, how do you see Him? Do you picture Him from one of the scenes in the Gospels? Perhaps as an infant in the manger, or washing His disciples’ feet, or maybe suffering on the cross for your sins?   Years ago, I heard a sermon entitled, “Image is Everything.” The … [Read More…] August 09, 2026

FILED UNDER: From Pastor Philip

August 02, 2026

  • July 31, 2026
  • BY Sydney Bylsma
  • no responses

Well, we made it! They said it would never happen, but we’ve finally made it to the end of the book of Acts and our World Changers series. Twenty-eight chapters, 1,006 verses, and 18,451 words. We’ve surveyed twenty-nine years, visited sixtythree cities, and traveled 10,282 miles. And today it all comes to a close.   … [Read More…] August 02, 2026

FILED UNDER: From Pastor Philip
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