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I remember holding our beautiful newborn baby and hearing the nurse say, “You can take her home…” I thought, “NOW what?” Fortunately, Valorie was more prepared than I was, but the adventure of parenting had begun! To be sure, there is nothing that could produce more joy than this little kid! But to be honest,…
Several years ago, a group of us from Valley Church, along with other friends, participated in an event called a “Spartan Race.” It’s basically a 13.2-mile run, but with one added bonus. Along the way there are 26 “obstacles” – barriers that intentionally challenge the runners to overcome. These include a rope climb, a 100-pound…
Dear Runners, When I was 3 years old my left knee started to swell, and swell, and swell! My father and mother took me to doctors, but they were unable to diagnosis the cause. Finally, they took me to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. The surgeon said, “Mr. and Mrs. Miller, we are going…
As a kid I remember seeing a show on TV called, “Let’s Make a Deal.” The basic premise of the show is that the host offers guests something of value who are then given the choice of keeping the item or exchanging it for something else. The “deal” is that the other item is kept…
Dear Disciples, Are you and I “real” disciples of the Lord Jesus in word and deed? Do others see Jesus in us? How do you spot an authentic “Christ follower?” It is not a trivial matter! If you were with us last Sunday we started our time in God’s Word with this verse, “David, after…
Dear Sojourners, Yes, you and I are going to go the way of all flesh. My last heartbeat as well as my last breath on this fallen planet will precede yours most likely. Last Friday I did a graveside service for one of our dear saints and celebrated his life on Saturday. Most of us…
Can you think of a time of prolonged waiting in your life? I recently went to the DMV and it seemed like it took FOREVER. On a more serious note, maybe you were waiting to hear back on a college application, or a job interview, or results from a medical test. Sometimes it seems like…
Vinko Bogataj probably isn’t a name you recognize. But for millions of people, Vinko is the symbol of all who have tried to do something and failed spectacularly. In 1970 the young Yugoslavian competed in a ski flying event where he hurled out of control off the end of the ramp, tumbling and flipping wildly,…
Dear Friends, Do you believe in destiny? How about a destination when you die? What do those two words mean and is there any connection? The word destiny refers to the predetermined course of events or the inevitable outcome of a person’s life. It often implies a sense of fate or predestination, suggesting that certain…
I recently reconnected with an old friend at the Perspectives class being hosted by Valley Church on Sunday nights. Among other things, Dan Lagasse is a seasoned global worker in nine different countries, an effective missions mobilizer, and an amazing horn player in the Sons of Jubal. On top of that, we’ve been friends for…