First Presbyterian Church of Valparaiso

Just the other day I saw workers putting up a big white tent in the parking lot at the Kmart. Boxes of fireworks were being carried into the tent. As we approach the Fourth of July, I can already hear firecrackers in our neighborhood in the early evening. Many towns will have parades. Lots of families will have big reunions and picnics and barbecues. Historic battles will be recreated. Flags will fly. Fireworks displays will light the sky. We are getting ready to celebrate

When my sister Martha had a double mastectomy due to breast cancer, she found that one specific verse in the Bible both reassured her that she would be strong enough to endure it, and reminded her that she would not go through it alone. It isn't surprising that the verse is Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through him who strengthens me." When our home was destroyed in a fire 23 years ago, I turned to Jeremiah 29:11 again and again, to remind myself that God desires goo

"So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!" -2 Corinthians 5:17 (NRSV) Heather and I recently celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary. She and Evey chose to celebrate the occasion with a trip to the Portland, OR area to visit dear friends, while Owen and I chose the less exciting option - work. I am, of course, just kidding about the motivation for the girls' trip, but over the course of our life togeth