Pastor John’s Blog

Some have said it another way, that half the battle is just showing up. Sunday I called us to take a stand and commit to being in God’s Word every day in the month of March. At the bare minimum, commit to following the church Bible reading plan, which is about a chapter a day, and praying for 5 minutes a day. Find an accountability partner, and check in with them every day. Also TRACK both of these things. Pull out a sheet of notebook paper and track each of these each day in March. You’ll be amazed how you attend to the things you track and talk with others about.

Recently I heard a man describe his grandpa, who had passed away, as a man he deeply respected, someone who had shaped his life in significant ways. He went on to describe the ways he had shaped and directed his life, things like teaching him how to drive, and showing him what it means to care for his family. One phrase he shared that really struck me was, “He was a man who showed up.” I thought that was such a powerful way to be remembered, especially in an age where so many are checked out. Even though they might be present physically, they are often absent mentally, staring down at another world, absorbed with people they don’t know and will never meet instead of engaging with those right in front of them. That phrase “he showed up” has embedded within it many other attributes, things like faithfulness, dependability, honor, integrity, follow-through, consistency, and ultimately, love. These are all attributes we would want used to describe us as well!

Last night during our monthly Elder meeting, our Chairman, Phil Peercy shared from 2 Corinthians 1:3-5, and focused on the idea of comfort, that God “comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us” (NLT). After sharing the verse, Phil made one simple statement: “Remember that everyone is going through something.” It’s so true. Everyone you pass by every moment of the day is facing something.

This is true of our faith as well. We don’t show up each Sunday and just spout random thoughts and words about God. We have a shared language rooted in Scripture that unites us. This is part of the reason we are going through a series of ten topics focused on what it means to know and love God. The more you know Him, the more you love Him, and the more you love Him, the more you love others (see Mark 12:30-31)…This Sunday our subject for study will focus on the Trinity, which is the most central idea to our faith.

This Sunday we are starting a new series at church based on this idea, that getting to know someone is part of growing in love for them (last week we wrapped up the book of Jonah). You certainly knew some things about the Bible and about Jesus when you became a Christian; however, as you’ve probably seen by now, there is an endless amount that can be known about God through His Word. Mark 12:30-31 says we are to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. Love doesn’t only involve the heart but also the mind. In fact, the mind informs the heart and directs its affections.

The reality is, you only have today to enjoy. You only have this very moment. Yesterday is done, you can’t go back, and who knows what tomorrow holds, but you can try to make the most of this very moment right now. Don’t look past the moment God has given you. Hebrews 3:13-14a says, “But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we have come to share in Christ.” Take it one day at a time. Encourage one another to turn away from sin and turn toward the share we have in Christ! And if we each make the most of this day, who knows how God might use Valley View to reach the South End of Louisville with the gospel of Jesus Christ!

We are now officially past “quitter’s day,” so you no longer need to worry about quitting on your New Year’s  resolutions for 2026. According to Arnold Schwarzenegger, January 17th is considered the day when over 50% of people have already said sayonara to the new you.

It is a little discouraging, but it also reminds me of one of my favorite Bible verses, Hebrews 10:39, “But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.” We are not those of the quitter ilk, rather we “Walk by Faith” in 2026! In fact, not only do we not quit, I think we have an exciting year ahead of us as a church.

One of the hardest words for me to learn to pronounce was (and some might say still is) the word “wrong.” It’s even more difficult to enunciate when combined with the words “I” and “was.” I’ve met a few others in life (mostly men) who struggle with the same genetic malfunction of the tongue. We probably need to form a support group or find a way to get a medical diagnosis. 

…in the video, I recommend Tim Keller’s excellent book on Jonah, called Rediscovering Jonah. I try to recommend a commentary on each book of the Bible I’m preaching through for those who would like additional study resources. This week we continue in the book of Jonah and study Jonah’s prayer from the belly of the whale (or, “great fish”) in chapter two. There’s much for us to learn from this prayer, as we focus on prayer and walking by faith in 2026, to help us reach the South End of Louisville with the Gospel of Jesus Christ! 

As promised in last week’s Midweek Update, here are some recommendations from my readings in 2025. Many of these books can be accessed at a library as well, some even as audio books through the Libby app. Choose one and use it to fuel your growth in 2026!