Uncensored Libraries
Pastor Doug Dent
There is nothing fake about power of the Word of God or its power to refresh our souls and guide our steps. It is no lie that we understand Scripture best when we “stand under” God’s Word and allow it to mold our hearts, souls, and minds. When the Word is read and interpreted, we […]
In Good Company
Pastor Doug Dent
Today’s reading from the prophet Isaiah tells us what baptism does promise during our life on this earth. Isaiah does not mention the Christian sacrament, of course, but he does speak about the experience of passing through the waters, and where God may be trusted to be as we do so: “Do not fear, for […]
Our Moral Compass
Pastor Doug Dent
On the other hand, we must remember that it is easy to think we are on the right path when, in reality, we are not even headed on a magnetic north heading, let alone a true north heading. We easily fool ourselves, putting false idols, false images and attractive destinations ahead of the righteous path […]
Herod: Afraid of His Shadow
Pastor Doug Dent
Now, it falls to us to partner with God’s transforming work each day, each moment, and with each person we encounter, sharing the hope we have of a world where will be light and life, and love. This is not easy work God calls us to do, the shadows contain powerful enemies, but with God […]
The Unused Gift
Pastor Doug Dent
On this Christmas Eve, we need to ask ourselves how are we putting the gift of grace to best use? With whom will we share the gift of grace? How does our life reflect the character of the Giver? Do we believe ourselves to be children of God and live accordingly? The truth is that […]
Fearfully and Joyfully
Pastor Doug Dent
There are times in life when we experience fear and joy at the same time. The fear and joy of going away to college. The fear and joy of getting married. The fear and joy of starting a new job. The fear and joy of having a child. The fear and joy of skydiving. When […]
A Fear of Commitment
Pastor Doug Dent
God is wholly committed to God’s people. God chose to come to us in physical, human form to be Immanuel, God with us. God added human nature to God’s divine nature, accepting our weaknesses, frailties, and dependencies to show God’s solidarity with humankind. God fully embraced our human experience to overcome our faults and offenses. […]
Making Peace With Fear
Pastor Doug Dent
Fear is a part of human life, and human beings are adept at making anxious mountains out of mole hills. We cannot expect to live free from fear and anxiety; but how we choose to handle those fear-filled and anxious-ridden moments makes the difference in how we live our life. When we accept the fickleness […]
Afraid to Hope
Pastor Doug Dent
Hope is grounded in possibility…not what we can achieve, but what God can make possible in and through and for us. When Zechariah and Elizabeth were afraid to hope, God delivered on the promise of a child. When Red was afraid to hope, the parole board gave him a new lease on life. When Susie […]
The Riddler
Pastor Doug Dent
There is an old “truism” that proposes: “There is no more pain in the world than one person can bear. But all the world’s pain can be contained in one cry.” The New Testament bears witness to this aspect of the truth by both opening and closing with tears. The gospels begin with a cry: […]