This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it! Psalms 118:24 

Are you a morning person or a person who likes to stay under the warm covers on these brisk mornings?  I am a morning person; I love seeing the sun come up over the horizon.  My morning routine is to get up before 7am, have coffee and read my newspaper to stay on top of current events.  Then I look forward to our 9am Bible Study zoom call. 

Jesus in His model prayer, tells us to pray, “Give us our daily bread.” Matt 6:11. This not only implies our daily need of food, but also our daily need to be in prayer.  Another thought in my daily prayer is, how may I pray for you?  Is there a sickness, or sin in your life that we can pray for you?  Sometimes we just need encouragement! Hebrews 3:13 tells us to encourage each other daily! 

Another way to start your morning is to be in God’s word!  In Acts 17:11, the Bereans examined the scriptures daily to see if what Paul was telling them was true. 

Brothers and sisters, if I told you there was a way to do this every day would you be interested?  For the past 3 years several have been meeting together on a Zoom call at 9am. These last no more than 15 minutes.  Some have been on vacation and still joined us; it was nice to hear from someone in Greece or Ecuador!  Ann Young lives in Florida in the wintertime and is on when able.  For those 15 minutes, we study God’s word, we encourage and pray for each other.  See Morgan or Sheryl and we will get you logged in! 

As the song #848 in our hymn book says:

Ere you left your room this morning,

Did you think to pray?

O how praying rests the weary!

Prayer will change the night to day;

So when life seems dark and dreary,

Don’t forget to pray!

We could always use some prayers!  

There were times at work when we needed an absolutely accurate measurement of an internal jet engine part in order to determine if the part was serviceable and/or repairable or if it must be scrapped and destroyed.  If the inspector was unable to determine the serviceability of the part with the normal shop measuring devices, then he would, as we would say, “send it to the rock”.  There was a special room within the machine shop kept at a constant temperature and humidity.  The room was extremely clean and almost sterile.  Within the room were several granite inspection surface plates of various sizes.  They had a guaranteed flatness within a specified tolerance of 0.000075” (or somewhere close to this).

Last week, we visited the Duesenberg, Cord, and Auburn Automobile Museum in Auburn, Indiana.  One of the exhibits was their “rock”.  A large polished set of rock tiles laid perfectly flat so they could measure and ensure the setup for a pre-production car was accurate and up to their standards.  In the world of manufacturing, precision is paramount.  Bluntly, we want the product to perform the work for which it was designed.

There are times when we are faced with very difficult decisions.  Sometimes our general knowledge is enough to help us make the correct choice, especially on those things which may not have a real right or wrong answer.  For example, should we go to Waffle House or Cracker Barrel?  However, there are times, when we seek a truthful answer concerning the rightness or wrongness of an issue.  We come to the proverbial “fork in the road”. 

Our Father wants us to make correct decisions.  Remember what Isaiah wrote in his book chapter 30:21:  “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”

That voice will come when we “take it to the rock”.  Luke recorded in Acts 17 a description of the Berean Jews: “…were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.”

Be of noble character by praying often and rely on the Scriptures to give wise answers.  GOD wants us to make wise decisions and will help us to do so.

“TAKE IT TO THE ROCK”

After much prayer and reflection, I’m preparing to step into a new chapter of ministry. Beginning October 1st, I will be moving from Summit Church of Christ to Florence Church of Christ, where I’ll be serving as the full-time preacher and counselor. Though my family and I will remain in Alexandria, KY, and the friendships we’ve built here at Summit will remain strong, this transition marks a change in our church home and the role God is calling me to. So how do we say goodbye in a time like this? How do we navigate the bittersweetness of farewells?

We can take comfort in the example of Moses, who, when preparing to say goodbye to the people he led, encouraged them to remember God’s faithfulness: “Be strong and courageous… for it is the Lord your God who goes with you” (Deuteronomy 31:6, ESV). The first step, then, is to encourage one another. Even in times of change, God is with us, guiding us forward.

Next, we remember Elijah, who passed his mantle to Elisha, leaving a legacy of faith and asking, “What can I do for you before I am taken?” (2 Kings 2:9, ESV). This shows us the second step: to pass the baton. As I step into my new role at Florence, I leave behind the work we have done together at Summit, trusting that it will continue to grow and flourish.

Then there’s Ruth, whose words to Naomi offer a powerful reminder: “Where you go, I will go… your people shall be my people” (Ruth 1:16, ESV). This is the third step: to stay connected. Though I’ll be serving in a different congregation, our bond in Christ remains unchanged.

Finally, consider David’s charge to Solomon: “Keep the charge of the Lord your God, walking in His ways” (1 Kings 2:2-3, ESV). This gives us the final step: to commission. As I begin this new chapter, I encourage you to continue walking faithfully in your own.

Friends, this is not a goodbye to friendships or the bond we share in Christ, but simply a transition into new roles. Let us take comfort in knowing that though the details may change, God’s love and our fellowship remain the same.

Have you ever felt overshadowed? Maybe you’ve lived in the shadow of a sibling’s success or been outshined by a friend’s charisma, wondering if you truly matter. If that resonates, let me introduce you to Andrew—a man who stood beside greatness, yet found his own quiet way to change the world.

On a sun-scorched shoreline, waves gently roll against the feet of a fisherman. Andrew, his hands rough from years of labor, is mending his net when he hears a voice that changes everything: “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19, ESV). In that life-altering moment, with the sand still clinging to his feet, Andrew makes a choice that will ripple through history.

But that was just the start of Andrew’s journey. Soon after, we find him again, this time eyes wide with excitement as he practically runs to find his brother. “We have found the Messiah!” he says, breathless and beaming (John 1:41, ESV). Can you imagine the urgency? The joy? Andrew knew that true treasure, once found, is meant to be shared.

Fast forward to a hillside crowded with thousands of hungry people. There’s no food, no vendors, no resources, and Andrew steps forward with a boy carrying a small lunch. “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish,” he tells Jesus, a mix of hope and doubt in his voice (John 6:9, ESV). In this act, Andrew shows us that no offering is too small when placed in God’s hands.

But perhaps Andrew’s greatest lesson is found in his silence.

Imagine the upper room, tension thick as whispers of betrayal hang in the air. “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?” the disciples ask (John 13:25, ESV). And Andrew? He quietly listens, trusts, and stays. His faith wasn’t about making grand gestures but about being a steady, faithful presence.

As you walk through your own journey, think about Andrew. Will you follow when the path ahead is unclear? Will you share what you’ve discovered, no matter how small? Will you trust in God’s plan, even when all you can do is sit quietly and wait?

Friend, your adventure of faith could start right now – with a single step. Today, Jesus is calling you. How will you respond?

It is only Week 1 of the NFL season and we are already hearing cliché responses when a team did not play up to expectations. From the Head Coach shouting, “Leadership starts at the top,” to Coordinators exclaiming, “Accountability starts with me,” to the Quarterbacks saying, “Execution starts with being prepared” and revealing “we have to be better prepared going forward” or expressing “I need to be better in that situation going forward.”

These cliches remind of a unique quote from retired College Football Hall of Fame coach and motivational speaker Lou Houltz who once said, “Ability is what you’re capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it”.

In Matthew 25:14-30, with his disciples huddled around him, Jesus tells the “Parable of the Loaned Money”, where the master has divided the money (talents) among his servants according to their abilities. In this parable, no one servant received more or less than what he could handle so that if he failed in his assignment, his excuse could not be that he was overwhelmed, because he had the “ability” to complete the task, but instead, failure could only come from laziness, which is a “lack of motivation” or hatred toward the master, “the wrong attitude”.

The “talents” represent any kind of resource we are given. God gives us time, skills, and other gifts according to our abilities, and He expects us to use them and invest them wisely until He returns.

Romans 12: 6-8 “⁶We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; ⁷if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; ⁸if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.”

Look at this list of “talents” and imagine the kind of people who would have each gift. Prophets I would expect are bold and good communicators. Servers are faithful and loyal. Teachers are organized and clear thinkers. Encouragers know how to motivate others. Givers are generous. Leaders are trusting and good managers. Those who show mercy are caring and probably enjoy giving their time to others.

It would be difficult for one person to embody all of these gifts. God gives us these gifts so we can encourage one another and build each other up, and build up His church.

We must not make excuses to avoid doing what God has called us to do. If God truly is our Master, we should not just serve Christ to our abilities, but also have a motivation to obey willingly and an attitude of “I need to be better in that situation going forward.”

Have you ever felt like your faith was as fragile as a sandcastle facing the rising tide? If so, you’re not alone. Peter, who was called the “rock,” knew what it was like to crumble under pressure.

Imagine a sun-beaten fisherman with calloused hands, pulling in worn-out nets. One day, he hears a simple invitation: “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19, ESV). In that moment, Simon becomes Peter, the rock. But rocks don’t come ready-made—they’re shaped and formed by pressure.

Jump ahead to that fateful night in a cold courtyard. The once-bold Peter, now trembling with fear, denies Jesus: “I do not know the man” (Matthew 26:74, ESV). As the rooster crows, Peter’s world collapses, like glass shattering on concrete.

But here’s the amazing part about God—He specializes in restoration. He takes the shattered pieces of our lives and turns them into a mosaic of grace.

Think back to that lakeside conversation. Jesus asks Peter three times, “Do you love me?” (John 21:17, ESV). With each “yes,” Peter is restored, recommissioned, rebuilt.

Now look at Peter on Pentecost. The man who once denied Jesus is now standing with boldness, declaring to the crowd: “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38, ESV). Three thousand souls respond, and the church is born.

The same Peter who had once denied Jesus is now rejoicing in the face of suffering. Beaten and warned, he and the apostles celebrate “that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name” (Acts 5:41, ESV).

Friend, the next time you feel like a small pebble in a world full of boulders, remember Peter.

In Malachi the first chapter describes a worship where the people brought blind, crippled and diseased animals to be sacrificed to the Lord.  Their worship was without love and honor, so God asked, “Where is my honor, where is my respect?” 

Cursed is the cheat who has an acceptable male in his flock and vows to give it, but then sacrifices a blemished animal to the Lord, When you bring injured, crippled or diseased animals and offer them as your sacrifice, “Should I accept them?” Says the Lord. Malachi  1:13-14 

These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.  They worship me in vain, their teachings are but rules taught by men.  Matt. 15:8-9 

I believe the worship described here is not worship at all, they were not giving God their best, but just going through the motions, “punching their clock” to say I was at Church today. Brothers and sisters, my prayer for Summit is we will always worship God in spirit and in truth! We will always show love for each other and our Lord and Savior who gave His life for us.  We will always give God our “Best.”  We won’t just sing songs; we will sing praises to honor Him!  We won’t just take communion; we will gather at the Lord’s Table to remember the sacrifice of Jesus! When we listen to God’s word we will let it speak to us and move us to live a better life, to put others before ourselves, to love our enemies as we love ourselves! My prayer for Summit is we will be like the Church described in Acts 2, this Church loved God’s Word, they loved to fellowship, to break bread and to pray.  This Church praised God and had everything in common. They were a family! 

I believe this sounds like Summit!  If you are not part of a church family we welcome you to join our family here. 

“God’s Power Lab” was a wonderful theme for this year’s Vacation Bible School! When God speaks in His word, our hearts should know a sense of awe and godly fear. What God says is so powerful that His word created all things. What God says is so powerful that He created man from the dust of the earth. What God says is so powerful that He destroyed the world in a flood. What God says is so powerful that He commanded the waters to recede from the earth and the earth was renewed. The Bible shows us that in every age some have fallen away from the will of God, and some have returned to the will of God. Restoration and renewal are always preceded by a falling away.

The Bible provides the basis for renewal and restoration. God has always restored a remnant of His people who have sought to follow Him. Until the Lord ends all things, there will always be a time when people will cease to follow Him and fall away. There will also always be a time when people will seek to restore the will of God in their lives.

John 7:16-18 – “So Jesus answered them, “My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me. If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority. The one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and in him there is no falsehood.”

Renewal and restoration are truly dependent upon faith in God’s word. When someone has a problem with the inspiration and authority of the Bible, it is not because the scriptures can be shown to be false. Their problem is with the understanding of faith. When one has a problem believing and understanding the Bible, it is not because the message is untrue. It may be that their heart is deceived or hardened.

No one is more negative toward the church or the authority of God’s word than a disillusioned and
discouraged believer. When one has lost faith in what God says, they may be living in a spiritual desert. They may pretend to be religious or faithful, but it is a smoke screen to justify what they want to believe and practice as they end up falling away.

May we at Summit ever hold on to God’s will and pattern for the church. May we ever seek to reach those who have become discouraged in their faith. May a desire for change never be so strong that we set aside the truthfulness of God’s word. May we ever desire to be a renewed and restored remnant of God’s people.