Category: From The Desk of Pastor Gene

Make Your Mark Some of us make our mark in business. A handful of us in the arts and sciences. Others of us in sports. Still others in politics. But marks also come in other forms and by other means. For example, some of us are marked or scarred for life due to an accident or...

The Church Gathers Together I was driving to the office one morning earlier in the week deep in thought but sort of listening to a Christian radio station. I wasn’t listening in a focused way because my mind was full. However, as the station hosts began inviting people to call in and give their opinions about...

  Turning the World Upside Down Every year we settle on a theme that is connected to the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20). But why do we have an annual theme? Why do we have t-shirts made with the annual theme printed on them? Why do I preach a sermon on the annual theme the first Sunday...

This Isn’t My Church As churches in America were shuttering in the Spring due to COVID19, many were scurrying to provide services via livestreaming. However, my youngest son’s church in the Omaha area was already equipped, so my son and his family began worshipping in their living room as they viewed the worship service from...

It’s us. Right here. Right now. There are number of ministries in our world that are highly admired and respected. We are thankful for their impact. But, as we admire these ministries we often overlook, even deem as unworthy, the ministry given us by God. But let’s get real. Adrian Rodgers, Tony Evans or Francis...

Generosity I recently had an interesting conversation with a certain man who will forever remain unnamed. He initiated the conversation but ended up walking away not liking the answer. In case you’re wondering, it was a biblical answer. He basically understood generosity as giving what he worked hard for to an organization or person less deserving. He...

7 Biblical Principles to Prevent You from Spinning Around the Axle of Your Circumstances I can’t imagine all the issues you are facing. Even in an average year, we often face financial, health and relationship challenges. Added to that, we are currently facing the threat and fallout of a pandemic, epic political division, racial tension, injustice,...

Living Jesus I’m relatively sure that you’ve said or heard someone say, “he lives and breathes football” or “she lives to play volleyball.” What is the impetus for these types of statements? We often describe and label people based on their passion. For instance, my dad has a passion for cars and competes at most...

Loving Jesus In my role as a pastor, specific to marriage counseling, husbands and wives have frequently expressed they don’t feel loved by their spouse. We have discovered many facets to why they feel unloved, but what is typically at the center of the issue is selfishness. One or both of the spouses think and...

For you. For me. For us. For Christ. In sports and in the military there is a level of camaraderie and esprit de corps that is immersed in the culture. These elements are part and parcel to a healthy and successful team or unit. And, for that matter, the same can be said concerning the...