Light In The Valley

Over the past week here in Lebanon, we’ve seen people gather, voices raised, signs lifted, convictions expressed. From “No Kings” to local political demonstrations, it’s a reminder that people care deeply about the direction of our communities, our nation, and our future. And it’s worth saying clearly—there is a right to peacefully protest. Scripture even shows us moments where voices were raised publicly, where people stood in conviction, where truth was declared in the stre

Last Sunday was one of those mountaintop days. God was moving in our service—people surrendering, responding, stepping into obedience. You could feel it. After weeks of long hours, everything was lined up for a perfect afternoon. The weather was just right. The ball pit was ready. The side-by-side was fueled up. The plan was simple—let the kids play, rest a little, and just enjoy the blessing of the moment. And then… everything changed. My youngest came running in—panic in he

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about what we are really teaching our kids. In so many ways, our modern education system—though filled with good, hardworking teachers and administrators—can feel like it’s training children to measure their worth by a number. A test score. A benchmark. A percentile. And while assessment has its place, somewhere along the way it can subtly whisper to a child: “You are what you produce.” But Scripture tells a very different story. “So God create

Life has a funny way of reminding us that seasons never stand still. For years my wife and I dreamed about building a home. It was one of those quiet dreams you carry while life is busy—raising kids, working long days, serving the church, paying bills, and putting a little away when you can. Slowly, year after year, that dream began to move from “maybe someday” to “it might actually happen.” And now, by God’s grace, we’re getting to build it. It’s something we’re incredibly t

Over the last few days our news feeds have filled with updates about the war involving Iran. Every network, every commentator, and every social media post seems to have an opinion about who is right, who is wrong, and what should happen next. But in the middle of all the noise, it is worth remembering something important. This is not just a political debate. These are real lives. Real families. Real soldiers. Real civilians. Behind every headline is a young service member sta

No matter where you stood while watching the State of the Union-whether you clapped, cringed, cheered, or changed the channel, the true state of our union is not ultimately determined by a president, a party, or a podium. It is determined by the people of God. Scripture is clear: “If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.” — 2

Over the last several days, Wilson County—and honestly much of our wider community—has been buzzing with outrage, fear, anger, and division over reports of a proposed ICE detention center. Social media lit up. Lines were drawn. Accusations were made. Passions ran hot. And then… it appears much of what fueled the outrage wasn’t even true. Fake news has a way of doing that. It spreads faster than facts, ignites emotions quicker than truth, and divides people long before clarity

Every year, it seems like the same conversation resurfaces. “Did you watch it?” “I can’t believe you watched that.” “Real Christians wouldn’t…” Suddenly, a halftime show—something that lasts a few minutes and disappears into the noise of the internet—becomes a spiritual measuring stick. Lines are drawn. Motives are assumed. And brothers and sisters in Christ find themselves divided over something that carries no weight in the Kingdom of God. Scripture reminds us just how smal

I passed a road sign the other day with a single verse of Scripture on it. No context. No surrounding truth. Just one isolated line used to make a bold statement about sin. And instead of feeling convicted, encouraged, or drawn closer to Jesus…I felt grieved. Not because Scripture was present. I love seeing God’s Word in public spaces. But because Scripture, when pulled out of its God-given context, can be used in ways God never intended. The Bible is not a collection of st

The news coming out of Minneapolis is heavy. Anger. Grief. Confusion. Fear. Strong opinions flying in every direction. Voices shouting past one another instead of listening. Moments like this remind us how fragile our world really is—and how quickly unrest rises when trust, justice, and peace feel broken. As followers of Jesus, we should never be indifferent to turmoil. Scripture consistently calls us to care about suffering, injustice, and the brokenness of our world. But it

This week a moment caught the public eye—President Trump responding to a heckler with a crude gesture. Depending on where you land politically, you may have laughed, cringed, defended it, or condemned it. But beyond the headlines and hot takes, there’s a deeper reminder we all need. Human leaders— every single one of them —are flawed. They get tired. They get angry. They react instead of respond. Even the strongest, smartest, most confident leaders will eventually reveal thei

Yesterday, for a brief moment, a lot of our world felt… off. A temporary Verizon outage left phones quiet , apps frozen , messages undelivered. People panicked. Businesses slowed. Parents worried. Plans stalled. It was striking how quickly uncertainty set in—not because life stopped, but because our connection did And it made me think We live in a world built on signals—Wi-Fi bars, cell towers, notifications, instant access. When those signals fade, even briefly, we’re remind

The past few days have been filled with intense headlines and louder opinions surrounding Venezuela’s leadership and the reports, disputes, and fallout that have followed. As information circulates—some confirmed, some disputed, some still unfolding—the reactions have been swift and emotional. Social media has become a battleground of certainty, outrage, celebration, and fear. Moments like this test more than our political views—they test our spiritual posture. Scripture remi

As we step into a new year, I find myself reflecting with deep gratitude on the unmistakable hand of God in 2025. This past year has been one of growth, refinement, and blessing. We have seen prayers answered, lives changed, relationships strengthened, and God’s faithfulness displayed in ways both seen and unseen. There were moments of celebration and moments that required perseverance—but through it all, the Lord proved Himself faithful. “This I recall to my mind, therefore

From my family to yours, and from all of us at Rocky Valley Baptist Church, we want to wish you a very Merry Christmas. In the middle of the lights, the gatherings, the meals, and the memories, Christmas invites us to pause and remember why  this season exists at all. Christmas is not just a celebration of tradition—it is the celebration of a Person. It is the reminder that God stepped into our broken world with love, humility, and hope. “For unto us a Child is born, unto us

This week our nation was shaken by the tragic deaths of filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner — a loss that has reverberated far beyond Hollywood and sparked deeply divided responses  online and in the media. Some mourned respectfully. Others turned immediately to political point-making, even in the face of a double homicide that involved their own son.   In a moment when grief should lead us to compassion , we instead too often see division  — reactions th

There are some moments that just make a pastor’s heart swell with gratitude—and Sunday was one of them. Watching our Rocky Valley kids and adults side-by-side, working hard to bring the parade float to life, reminded me once again what it looks like when the church moves. From painting and building, to decorating, organizing, and then walking the route with bright smiles and joyful hearts—every piece of it was a holy labor. And what a response from our community! The smiles,

There’s a noticeable shift every year. The moment Thanksgiving leftovers are packed away, the noise begins to rise. Ads grow louder. Shopping carts grow fuller. Black Friday turns into Cyber Monday, which turns into weeks of scrolling, clicking, comparing, and buying. Our culture tells us that this season is all about anticipation —but most of what we are told to anticipate can be boxed, wrapped, and returned. Yet the very heart of this season was never about the anticipation

There was a time—not that long ago—when coaches, programs, and even entire leagues intentionally avoided scheduling practices and games on Wednesday nights. It wasn’t because they were “church leagues.” It was because there was a shared understanding in our culture that mid-week worship mattered, and that families needed that sacred space. But somewhere along the way, the shift happened. Now many parents are made to feel that Wednesday practices are “mandatory,” that missing

Today we pause to give thanks for the men and women who have worn the uniform of our nation — those who have stood watch so that others could sleep in peace. Their courage, discipline, and willingness to place others before themselves reflect a principle that runs deep through Scripture: sacrificial love. Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” – John 15:13 Every veteran, every active-duty service member, and every fami