It’s a Package Deal – Easter Means More!

By Pastor Waiser

Everyone knows this, but fewer people actually go through the difficult part. On Easter Sunday, Christian Churches across this country and the world will be filled with people. Lots of people want to be part of the victory celebration that is the Resurrection of Jesus, as the Father raised Him back to life on the third day. And, in fact, the resurrection of Jesus is the CORNER STONE of our faith. Paul says in that Great Resurrection Chapter of 1 Corinthians 15:14, “If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.” Paul goes on to affirm in verse 20, “But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead!”

But please do not forget the part that “He died!” The sad, and

I am a frog

By Miriam Rossow

TAKING WORSHIP HOME

I am a frog. I am just sitting in my water, not even realizing it is boiling. That is how it feels many days anyway. I am not even aware of the temptations around me. Oh, I have my days where I am trying to watch what I eat and everything I crave is French fries, a greasy hamburger, and a milkshake. But so many of my days I am not even aware of the temptations around me.

I am not aware of the temptation to prove myself right in my mothering and discipline. I am not aware of the temptation to have every one like me or be accepted by all. I am not aware of the temptation to eat and do whatever I want because

From Death to Trust

By Kris Bruun

Taking Worship Home

My dog Gracie loves to play “tug.” Every other day or so, she’ll grab one end of her favorite stuffed toy while I grab the other. Then the struggle begins. She only weighs 15 pounds, so I can pretty much tow her around by her teeth. Back and forth the battle rages until I get tired and let go. “You win!” I tell her, and she proudly trots off to gloat over her prize.

Every morning I give my life to God. Then I spend the rest of the day playing “tug,” that is, planning how to take it back again. I want to be in control. In spite of years of evidence to the contrary,  part of me is convinced that

God’s Foolishness At Work!

By Jamie Wiechman

Taking Worship Home

God’s way of doing things is often very different from my natural inclinations. God says love your enemies, but I want to hate them. He says to pray for those who persecute you, but I want to speak badly of them. He says if someone takes your shirt from you, you should give him your coat as well. I want to fight for what is rightfully mine.

God’s way is different from my way. His way does not make sense to me. His way seems so much harder. It doesn’t seem like it would work.

How will my enemy know that he has wronged me if I am nice to him? How can I make sure that all my needs are met if I keep

You Have to Come Down Off the Mountain

Taking Worship Home

By Kris Bruun

I can’t believe that I actually wrote this in my journal! It was an Easter Sunday afternoon, and I had just experienced a Holy Week like no other. It was one of those times when all of the services spoke perfectly to my heart and brought Jesus so close that I could almost slip my hand into His as we walked out of church together.

“Lord,” I wrote that afternoon, “if I could just keep feeling like this forever, it would be so easy to serve you and your people.” (“Let’s build three tents…”)

I don’t remember exactly how long it took me to come down from that mountaintop, but I’m quite sure I didn’t make it even to Pentecost. Isn’t it the way of human life? We warn

What is Ash Wednesday?