Articles written by Pastor Joe Elick
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Recently in our adult Sunday School class we were looking at the importance of questions in life, and that if we "love the questions' of life, embracing them, and entertaining them as honored guests,...
Manijeh (Mani) Nicole Starren, 34
Roseau- Manijeh (Mani) Nicole Starren was born May 23, 1989, weighing 9 lb. 11 oz., to Marvin and Ricki Starren in Roseau. Mani was found an angel on June 28, 2023. Mani went to grade school and high...
There Will Be A First Time For Everyone
A week ago our vintage 21 year old 1968 Volvo turned 296,000 miles. It's been a great ride. Not trouble free but reliable. Last winter I joined the Volvo Club of America so I could be in touch with ot...
The Ultimate Alright – A Message For Troubled Hearts
Think back with me for a few moments to the "skinned knees" of your childhood. What did you do? As a little kid, when, all-of-a-sudden, life HURT? Maybe it was a skinned knee, a bad dream, an upset... Full story
The Day Heaven Held Its Breath
The story is told of a man who had been around from church to church, trying to find a congregation with whom he felt he could fit in. Finally he stopped at a little church. Just as the congregation,...
The "Word" Was Out
The "Word" was out: Jesus was back in Town! Back in Capernaum, to be exact, for Capernaum had become the home base of his ministry. His return had caused no small stir in the community. In all...
We Live In A Tent!
I saw a young lady on television one time who operates a traveling Elvis Presley museum in a mobile home. For the price of admission you can view all manner of Elvis "Stuff" including a clip off of... Full story
Where Is God When We Hurt?
When I was in Jr. High there was a game being played by the boys that you could only play once with the same person. Once somebody had played the game with you, however, you could hardly wait to find...
The Problem With Faith
"Faith," said a little girl, in response to a question posed by her Sunday school teacher, "is believing something you know isn't true." Now we smile at her answer, concluding once again that "kids...
Overcomer's
It has been said that the task of the preacher is to comfort the disturbed, and disturb the comfortable. If this is true then today's text gives me the opportunity to have something for everybody....
Who Am I? The Listening Heart
One of my favorite childhood games was Hide and Seek. How many of you have ever played Hide and Seek? Great! I hate to play alone! What a great game: Both the hiding and the seeking (and sometimes...
Step Across The Line
Several years ago when I was still with Youth For Christ in Tacoma we took a group of teenagers on a Christmas retreat. The camp was in Eastern Washington at the upper end of a valley with mountains... Full story
Conversation Is Possible
Down through the centuries, the Bible has had a celebrated history. Even before it was called the "Bible." Even before the Bible was in the form we have in our hands this morning, the Bible is a book...
Our Common Sense of Belonging
Someone has observed that "We live by signs". Any dad who travels with his family is all too aware of this when he tries to "sneak by" an exit ramp trying to make "one more town before night fall".... Full story
A Compassionate Commission "A Whisper From God"
A number of heads turned as the young man walked into the meeting house. An old man in the 3rd row, with snow-white hair, a long beard, and rimless glasses turned to his neighbor and whispered...
A Great Gulf Fixed: Things Are Different In Eternity
Luke 16: 19-31 Periodically over the years I have had people say to me, in an attempt to avoid the implications of a discussion on heaven and hell, that they have never heard of "anyone coming back...
Life Is Bigger Than The Immediate: The Second Coming Part 2
The present speaks to us of the future. How does that work? Some things are so tied together that the outcome is not a matter of "IF," but "When?" Does a prophecy always demand its fulfillment in the...
Life Is Bigger Than The Immediate: The Second Coming Part 1
An important word in the life of the Christian Church is "doctrine" for some folks hearing the word doctrine. The word doctrine refers to that which we believe. Doctrine defines our faith: what we...
Hazardous Waste, Stay Out!
A sign on a door says "Hazardous Waste Area". Now this is a loaded statement. Contained and labeled, the contents of a room? Danger stay out!! Enter at your own risk! "Please hurry up dear, you're goi...
Where Is Jesus When It Hurts?
John 5: 1-15 In the Gospel of John we can see Jesus up close. He has tears in his eyes when a close friend of his dies. Jesus is touched by the sorrow of death. (John 11: 35) This close-up view of...
The Gospel Is Not Just Something To Believe, It Is "Someone" To Follow
How many of you enjoy going for a walk? How many of you have ever been on a difficult walk, but when you got to the end you just had to say it was really worth it? I can remember three such walks in...
Camels' Humps and Needles' Eyes
As a small child I used to lie in bed sometimes and look at an embroidery that my mother had made, framed and hung above my bed. Down in the right-hand corner was a little boy on his knees in his... Full story
The Gate Statement
I hear the sound of gates in use; one more frequently than the other. "Swish" goes the first and busier gate hanging a bit askew on its well-worn pivots. The second, the gate less taken,...
What God Starts, He Finishes!
Sometimes in life, when we are "under the circumstances" it's difficult to see over the circumstances. We hope that the next thing we see is a happy conclusion. What I want to do is try to toss you a...
What Is Heaven Like?
Why is this a most important question? First of all we need to make note of the fact that it is Jesus who is speaking. The One whom, as the apostle Paul writes, "has become for us wisdom from God..."... Full story
