The Sweet Spot

I enjoy playing tennis. I’m not very good at it, but it is a great deal of fun. One of the things I’ve learned is that every racket has a ‘sweet spot’. That sweet spot is where you get the most out of that particular racket. It is recognizable by the unique sound it makes when you hit it right. I love that sound. I think the same is true for God. 

Read More
Rev. Jonathan Beck
'Growing in Christ'

Legendary college basketball coach, John Wooden who led the UCLA Bruins to amazing victories said, “The true test of a man's character is what he does when no one is watching.” What the team practiced when no one else was looking determined how they would perform when the world is watching. This is true in all areas of our lives - personal, professional, and spiritual. 

Read More
Rev. Jonathan Beck
'A New Year'

How did you approach New Year’s Eve? Some people are pessimists and are just hoping the year won’t be quite as bad as 2023. “I’m sure something bad will happen that will throw me for a loop. I’m not looking forward to that but I’ll just grit my teeth and get through it.”  The optimists look at 2024 with wide-eyed anticipation.  “I can’t wait

Read More
Rev. Jonathan Beck
'Jesus is our Creator and Recreator'

We have heard and read the Christmas story many times over the past month since the first Sunday of Advent. We usually focus on the angels coming to Zechariah, then Mary, then Joseph, then the shepherds. But John tells us that the story of Jesus begins way, way, way back. John begins his Gospel by describing Jesus with echoes

Read More
Rev. Jonathan Beck
'The Threshold of Faith'

During Advent and Christmas, we pay special attention to Mary, who was the mother of Jesus, the Messiah. She was an amazing woman of faith that we have —a great deal to learn from. There is one point in particular that we tend to gloss over.

Read More
Rev. Jonathan Beck
'God is Excited About You!'

Many Christians think that they are still stuck in their past, that God forgives their past but that is it, or that God is constantly disappointed in them. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Ephesians 2:6-7 says, “God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming

Read More
Rev. Jonathan Beck
'Developing Thankful Hearts'

The Psalmist captures the spirit of Thanksgiving in this simple verse: ‘The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time. You open your hand & satisfy the desires of every living thing.’(Ps.145:15-16) This is a beautiful vision of all living creatures looking to God for sustenance.  I picture baby birds in a nest cheeping and

Read More
Rev. Jonathan Beck
'It's Not Too Difficult'

How often have you read something in Scripture that made you sigh like you were just asked to climb Mt Everest? All the ‘one another’ passages are challenging love as Christ loves you; accept one another as Christ Jesus accepted you; forgive each other as God forgave you in Jesus Christ; love your enemies; be patient

Read More
Rev. Jonathan Beck
'Eyes on the Prize'

 I love All Saints Day – reading Hebrews 11 about the faithful who did great things for God and endured great things for God. It creates an opportunity to reflect on all the wonderful people who helped me become who I am as a person, as a Christian. I think of the big saints who changed world history – Abraham, Moses, Peter, John, Paul,

Read More
Rev. Jonathan Beck
“What is it for?”

John Wesley had a clear understanding of what money was for in 1731. He was a student at Oxford University. He earned 30 pounds, discovered he could live on 28 pounds, and gave 2 pounds away. Later, he wrote books, pamphlets, and hymnals. He had speaking tours and other avenues of income. Later in life he made 120 pounds,

Read More
Rev. Jonathan Beck