Remember!
- Details
- Category: General Media
- Written by Pastor Chris Yager
May 28, 2013
“The patriot's blood is the seed of Freedom's tree.” T. Campbell
Liberty! There are very few ideals that are as priceless as liberty. It has not, nor can it ever be purchased or provided to a people or individual without the cost of another’s blood. For the cause of American freedom, millions of men and women, young and old have sacrificed their lives. Their blood has painted red the greenest of fields and the whitest of the ocean’s foam. As one 19th century American poet said, “Life hangs as nothing in the scale against dear liberty!”
Because the cost of liberty is the life and blood of America’s finest patriots, remembering their sacrifice for the priceless gift of freedom is the least we can do. We are free today, because they were willing to pay that price. Let us honor their action by guarding this precious gift! Let us not become so familiar with liberty that we take it for granted by willingly surrendering it back to those who would place us in bondage again. America is the envy of the world for the liberty she offers her citizens, and many of this world’s citizens have left everything to experience the liberty that we have become indifferent towards.
Let us again remember the great price of liberty. Let us understand that liberty lost is not easily reclaimed. For over 225 years Freedom’s tree has been watered and protected by those who have understood its cost, and have given their lives in defense of its ideal. May we stand guard of the priceless gift of liberty, so that liberty is not lost in our day! Remember!
Happy Mother's Day
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- Category: General Media
- Written by Pastor Chris Yager
May 11, 2013
There are very few things in life that come close to rivaling the place of our moms in our hearts. Jobs and life may cause us to have to move away from our moms, but there is no distance that can affect the love and admiration that we have for them. Our own spouse and children may fill our time and attention, but that special place of mom cannot be transferred to another.
Mom's place is so ingrained and special that grown men on TV don't say, "Hi honey" or "hey kids" until they have first said "Hi mom!" When mom calls and needs something, we rearrange plans for her, knowing this is the least we can do for her. When mom hurts, we hurt, because we know she has hurt for us. And no matter how long ago a mom has gone on into eternity, our hearts still weep for her loss.
There is no other person in life like mom. Ladies, you hold the most revered office in all the earth. You are loved more than words can say! Thank you for being a mother that points her children and home to Heaven. Thank you for giving of yourself so sacrificially to us. We love you Mom!
The Beauty of Holiness
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- Category: Christian Life
- Written by Pastor Chris Yager
February 23, 2013
"Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness." 1Chronicles 16:29
A fresh covering of snow, the purple cast of a mountain view, the observing of the northern lights, the pinkish hue of an evening sky, and the white sand of a Florida beach are all dubbed as something beautiful to behold. We use the word beautiful on anything that catches our eyes, or that causes us to stop and pause a moment to take in the splendor of the object. We declare our spouses, cars, boats, homes and pictures to be beautiful. Though we may not realize it or think to name it in our list of beautiful things, Holiness like many other things is attractive and beautiful to us.
Holiness is defined as something that is pure, sacred, and divine. We are moved by the innocence and purity of a child. We are awe struck at things that are sacred, and find breathtaking that which is considered divine. Holiness, though many times unnoticed, is considered beautiful.
Just as we find holiness beautiful and attractive, so does God. Because His main attribute is that of Holiness, His eye seeks after that beautiful sight. As believers, we are to present ourselves to our God in the magnificence of Holiness. Worship Him, not in the ugliness of sin or in the plainness of compromise, but in the splendor of righteousness. Come before Him pure and sacred, bearing His divine nature purchased by His own Son. Let us live to make Him stop and pause at our beauty of His Holiness in us!
I Love You
- Details
- Category: Christian Life
- Written by Pastor Chris Yager
February 10, 2013
"For God so loved…" John 3:16
I love you! These are three words that every individual longs to hear. No matter your personality or prowess, we all have been created with an innate desire to be loved. Depression, frustration, and many hurts in life are a result of not feeling loved. There is no greater gift that we can give to someone else than our love. On Valentine’s Day, we strive to “give” that gift of love with cards, chocolate and flowers, because we recognize that love has to be more than said... it must be demonstrated!
The Cross of Jesus Christ is the greatest gift of love that ever could be given. It is the Father’s “valentine” to man. It was in this sacrificial act that Jesus Christ not only stated His love for you and I, but demonstrated it. The Father so loved us that He willingly gave His Son’s life for ours. What love! As the song writer said, “How deep the Father’s love for us; how vast beyond all measure that He should give His only Son to make a wretch His treasure.”
Each time the cross is presented, we hear God say as a Father to His child, I love you so much! You don’t ever have to wonder if you are loved. You don’t ever have to struggle with the depression and hurt that accompanies the feeling of being unloved. The cross is a constant reminder of God’s amazing love for us. Don’t overlook or turn away from His symbol of love. Receive it and relish in its significance.
