23 The others who became priests are numerous because death prevented them from continuing to serve. 24 In contrast, he holds the office of priest permanently because he continues to serve forever. 25 This is why he can completely save those who are approaching God through him, because he always lives to speak with God for them. (Hebrews 7:23-25 – CEB) I have been impressed with those who workout being instructed by their "personal trainer." I take one look at their workout videos or the comments by the trainer on how hard their client works and I get all "envious" and think that since they probably pay the trainer so much, the client is going to put in the extra effort. If only I could affo

Are you familiar with the 10% tithe principle...the "20% rule..."the 50/50 rule?" What about the 100% rule? Of course, in scripture we are told we are to give God ten percent of our possessions. In the twenty percent rule around churches, it is known as twenty percent of the people doing eighty percent of the work. And the 100% rule? Well, that is what Jesus talks about in our passage for next Sunday's message. In the tenth chapter of the Gospel of Mark, we read of someone who has wealth beyond imagination. He approaches Jesus to ask what he has to "do" to inherit the kingdom of God. The wealthy man approaches it from the standpoint the way he used to gain his wealth — do the right things a

Spring Creek is like most congregations that have seen their membership decline since "back in the day." The first thing most members say is we need more young families. We need more kids. However, what most congregations seem to believe is the kids and young families will simply show up some Sunday morning. Unfortunately, when there is a problem with the "synergy" due to a small group of kids, you need to have volunteers and activities for the kids! Granted, I really like ministering to kids of all ages. I wish I could spend more time with them. The reality is, however, the kids and their families visiting Spring Creek don't always show up to assigned "faith formation" events like Bible Bud

I really like the above phrase penned by Ruth A. Fletcher in her book, Thrive: Spiritual Habits of Transforming Congregations. Have you ever found yourself in a place of "dithering?" If you have, then you know the tremendous amount of energy it takes to hesitate, falter, waver, vacillate, change your mind, be indecisive, be undecided. You are agitated (or someone else is) with your dithering. You become nervous because you may not make the correct decision. Yeah, if you have been in a state of dithering, you know all about this "heebie-jeebie" feeling! And if you haven't, but have gotten extremely agitated by someone who is the "poster child" for those suffering from the dithering "heebie-je