In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. -Genesis 1:1 Scientists tell us that the universe has a beginning, confirming the very first verse of the Bible to be true. And when scientists say that the universe has a beginning, it is important to recognize that by ‘universe’ they mean: time, space and matter. (You might enjoy the video below from William Lane Craig on the Kalam Cosmological Arguement for the existence of God.) God is not part of the material universe; He is beyond space, time and matter. Scripture tells us that God is spirit (John 4:24). What does this tell us about ultimate reality? I am reminded that ultimate reality is not the material world around me. Yes, the material world is real! Yes, the material world is important - but not most important. What is most important is beyond… beyond the here and now… beyond me. As Christians, we live not for the earthy home which is passing away, but for the heavenly homeland that is yet to come - our real home. This world ultimately will not and cannot satisfy us because we were made for something more. If I find in myself desires which nothing in this world can satisfy, the only logical explanation is that I was made for another world. -C.S. Lewis
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My wife Susan and I were married by Pastor David Cooke on June 17th, 2020 before we were members of Cold Springs Church. We later joined the church because we felt welcome and a part of church. After being baptized through Cold Springs Church, my faith and walk with Jesus has grown deeper. I have always had a heart for serving others and felt honored when I was asked to lead the senior care ministry. I enjoy and appreciate the assistance and love I get working with the church staff and fellow members in service to our 55+ church members. I invite you to join us, so you can connect and participate whenever and wherever possible.
-Scott Neal “The reason there is so much misery in marriage is not that husbands and wives seek their own pleasure, but that they do not seek it in the pleasure of their spouses. The biblical mandate to husbands and wives is to seek your own joy in the joy of your spouse.” -John Piper In His book The Dangerous Duty of Delight, John Piper writes about ‘Christian hedonism’. One chapter in this book is dedicated to the connection between ‘Christian hedonism’ and marriage. The message this Sunday is about the mystery of marriage that Paul writes about in Ephesians 5:32: "This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one." We glorify Jesus when we enjoy Him. In a similar way, a man or woman 'glorifies' a spouse by enjoying him or her. Is this not the essence of love - to seek joy in the joy of another person? Check out the short video below of John Piper introducing this little book. If you’d like a free version of the book, it is available as a PDF on the Desiring God website here. "You are entitled to your own opinion, but not your own facts."
If you enjoy thinking about questions like these, you'll enjoy this short video on tolerance. And if you really enjoy thinking and talking about these things, consider joining the Apologetics Life Group starting this fall! -Pastor Steve I did several Easter devotionals during Lent this year. I reflected upon Jesus’ resurrection, the reason Easter is such a big deal. And why a heavy spiritual weight seemed to wage mightily even as Jesus followers sensed the joy of Christ’s victory over death. It seems like the idea of the resurrection causes great offense in some, although we as humans are wired to long for the eternal. Perhaps that is why it can be triggering. Because of the dream seemingly deferred. Hearts afraid to believe in something for which they dare not hope— yet that is putting hope in their own understanding. That is where we fail at faith. Faith is not about my ability to believe. It is not about leaning upon my own understanding. It is faith in Jesus- what he did and who he still is… forevermore. Therein lies my hope... not solely for this life, but for eternity. My faith is not useless by any means, because solely upon that Rock (Jesus), my hope is built. May the resurrection hope of Easter continue in your heart all year long, through faith in the living Christ, our Lord. Pastor Esther But tell me this—since we preach that Christ rose from the dead, why are some of you saying there will be no resurrection of the dead? 13 For if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised either. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, then all our preaching is useless, and your faith is useless. 15 And we apostles would all be lying about God—for we have said that God raised Christ from the grave. But that can’t be true if there is no resurrection of the dead. 16 And if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless and you are still guilty of your sins. 18 In that case, all who have died believing in Christ are lost! 19 And if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world. 20 But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead. He is the first of a great harvest of all who have died. 21 So you see, just as death came into the world through a man, now the resurrection from the dead has begun through another man. 22 Just as everyone dies because we all belong to Adam, everyone who belongs to Christ will be given new life. 23 But there is an order to this resurrection: Christ was raised as the first of the harvest; then all who belong to Christ will be raised when he comes back. 24 After that the end will come, when he will turn the Kingdom over to God the Father, having destroyed every ruler and authority and power. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. -Ephesians 4:32 Check out this article on forgiveness! (Click on it for the PDF)
The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. He is the creator of everything that exists: time, space and matter. In our life group studying apologetics, we recently watched this video from William Lane Craig. It is a great reminder that there is overwhelming scientific evidence that a creator exists. May we be reminded of these truths and be drawn to worship Him! Therefore, there exists a Personal Creator of the universe, who, sans the universe, is timeless, spaceless, beginningless, changeless, necessary, uncaused, and enormously powerful. “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” -1 Peter 1:16
We are so glad to have Jenni Theis on the team! Jenni joined the Cold Springs staff team as Office Admin late 2023. Here is her bio:
My family (hubby Kevin and 5 year old son Hank) have been attending Cold Springs since 2021. I feel beyond blessed to be a part of this amazing church family. As the Office Admin, I’ll be helping everywhere I’m needed including answering phones and being one of the first faces you see when you come in the door. I’m so happy to be a part of this staff full of wonderful people and to continue to grow my faith alongside them.
Enjoy this short video from Lee Strobel, and may it encourage you this Christmas season that the birth of our savior is an historical event! |
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July 2024
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