Category: The Pastor’s Piece

May 24, 2026 History is never simply political – there is always a spiritual reality surrounding human events. The wars, alliances, betrayals, and struggles between the nations of the world reveal how unstable and self-exalting human power becomes when separated from God. Earthly conflicts are manifestations of a deeper battle between human pride, between the […]

FCFI May 17, 2026 It’s funny some of the things that come up in an ordinary week as Pastor of a church. It’s also interesting what children pick up while sitting in church on Sunday. About a year ago, the mom of a little girl texted me and said that her four-year-old daughter wanted me […]

Village May 10, 2026 There are moments in life when faith feels steady, when everything seems clear, and trusting and God comes naturally. In those seasons, belief feels uncomplicated. Circumstances may not be perfect, but they are manageable, and confidence in God feels secure. But there are also times when that confidence begins to weaken. […]

FCFI May 3, 2026 Mother’s Day is this weekend, and it provides an opportunity to reflect on the influence of a mother’s love. Among all the things a mother can give her children, perhaps the most valuable is a sense of security, a home where they are safe, known, and loved. That kind of foundation […]

FCFIApril 26, 2026 God is good all the time. We are deeply grateful that, despite the tornado that struck Lena, Illinois last April 17th, there were no serious injuries or loss of life. While the damage was widespread and some homes were hit hard, lives were spared, and for that, we give thanks.In the immediate […]

FCFI April 19, 2026 The point of preaching is never to make Christ acceptable. But in a man-centered era, this is automatically thought to be the task of the preacher – to somehow make God acceptable to man. The problem that confronts us in the Bible is actually quite different. The real problem is one […]

FCFI April 12, 2026 Today’s column is on a subject that many people struggle with. It’s about forgiveness. There are two aspects of forgiveness: God’s forgiveness and our ability to forgive others for wrongs suffered. It’s a touchy subject. I’ll start by saying what forgiveness is not: Forgiveness is not about what we feel, it’s […]

April 5, 2026 In John, chapter 11, we are introduced to two sisters, Mary and Martha and their brother Lazarus. All three of them were good friends with Jesus. You likely remember the story of how Lazarus died and when Jesus heard about it, he stayed a couple days longer where he was and by […]