Faith

Why my tomatoes won’t grow – Part 2

PASTOR’S CORNER, Pat Mann, President of Good Samaritan Auxiliary

After the failure of the first try, I decided to do better. I got pots this time. That way, I can plant them earlier, and if we have a storm or a late freeze, I can just move them into the shed until the threat of the hail or high winds and cold weather is over. I, in fact, did move them in one day because we were expecting a late freeze. Then I set them back out. I could also move them into areas that had more sunshine as the shaded areas changed throughout the day. Had some blooms that year, but no tomatoes. Hmmmm!

Why my tomatoes won’t grow – Part 1

PASTOR’S CORNER, Pat Mann, President of Good Samaritan Auxiliary

John 15: 1-2 says “I am the True Vine, and My Father is the Vinedresser. Any branch in Me that does not bear fruit He cuts away, and He cleanses and prunes every branch that continues to bear fruit, to make it bear more and richer and more excellent fruit.”

My mother was good at gardening. Maybe some of you, by necessity, enjoyed food that your family planted, ate fresh, and canned for winter use. We didn’t know how good we had it. So much more delicious than eating the packaged, non-nutritious, but convenient, foods from the super market today. Those who plant gardens today do not do it so much out of necessity now, but because it tastes so good and for the sheer pleasure of growing things. We like to put something in the ground, watch it grow, and finally get to eat it, and share some with friends.

Jesus: our great High Priest and source of all mercy

PASTOR’S CORNER, Bailey Norris, New Beginnings Church, Liberal

Hebrews 4:14-16 offers encouragement in our faith, reminding us to hold fast, trust in Jesus' empathy, and boldly approach God’s throne of grace.

To be salt and light

PASTOR’S CORNER, Bailey Norris, New Beginnings Church, Liberal

In Matthew 5:13-16, Jesus calls His followers to be "the salt of the earth" and "the light of the world." These metaphors illustrate the impact believers should have in a world that desperately needs the transforming power of the gospel. By examining what it means to be salt and light, we can better understand our role as disciples of Christ.

Looking at the Beatitudes

PASTOR’S CORNER, Bailey Norris, New Beginnings Church, Liberal

The Sermon on the Mount is arguably one of the most known teaching of Jesus. It contains a multitude of teachings that challenge Christians to live a radical, countercultural life.

The Beatitudes, found in Matthew 5:3-12, form the opening of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. Each Beatitude reveals a paradox—the kind of person whom the world often overlooks is, in fact, the one whom God blesses.