There’s an old saying that goes like this: “When I say ‘Jump’, I want you to ask ‘How high?’ on the way UP!” Sounds like something a drill sergeant or a coach would say, doesn’t it? This week I was in my backyard and listening to someone who told me to jump. In fact he…
Posts by Kurt Jones
Dear Friends, Last Sunday I mentioned a “series of unfortunate events” that included a COVID-19 quarantine, a crowbar, and a stolen car. Thanks so much for your notes of care and concern. I’m happy to report that our household received negative results from our Corona Virus tests and that my face is healing! Thank you,…
Dear church family, Recently, we’ve had more time together as a family and have enjoyed playing games and doing puzzles. (Thanks for the Star Wars puzzle, Sorrentinos; we started it on May the fourth. LOL!) Just before the lock down we played a game where you work together as a group to disarm a bomb.…
But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 1 Cor 15:20 December 13, 1977 is a day the residents of Evansville, Indiana will never forget. A new book, “We Will Rise: A True Story of Tragedy and Resurrection in the American Heartland,” recounts the plane…
March 20, 2020 Dear Valley Church friends and family, Like you, I’m working from home instead of going into the office and it seems strange. While it’s hard to believe we’re living out a unique moment of world history, day to day living goes on. We’re all trying to figure out work and school and…
In his book Killing Giants, Pulling Thorns, Chuck Swindoll illustrates the giant of lust through the tragic life of Samson, describing him as “a he-man with a she-weakness”. He goes on to say, “Several things that illustrate his lustful bent may be observed from the record of his life in the Book of Judges: The…
Quilotoa is one of many volcanic wonders in Ecuador. It is a 2-mile-wide lake filling a dormant volcano that collapsed many years ago. In 2018 Valorie and I were able to visit our daughter Elena during her semester in Quito. We chose Quilotoa as a scenic and “easy” hike because the next day we planned…
Dear loved ones, With online shopping getting more and more popular, it’s very common these days to see mail carriers coming to the door with multiple packages. As the doorbell rings, we are filled with two questions. First, “Is it for ME?” and, if so, second, “What IS it?” Unless you have zero impulse control and simply rip the package…
“You are not our daughter anymore.” They were the last words 11 year old Saree* heard her father say to her as she stood in the street, holding the clothes her family shoved at her while slamming the door in her face. How would you respond if you were Saree? This Sunday we will join…
This Sunday we start a new series, called “Acting Out,” through the book of Acts. For the next ten weeks we’ll be studying the amazing work of God as the Holy Spirit transformed the early church from being a disorganized band of discouraged and defeated disciples into an unstoppable force that continues to turn the…