Alva Review-Courier -

When I was in high school I took a weekend long driver’s ed class in hopes that it would help with the high cost of car insurance for a 16-year-old driver. I don’t think it did anything for the insurance, but I did take something away that I sti...

James 1:5 NIV: If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. In the summer of 1940, my grandfather, Murray Kearns, and his father, Edwin J. Kearns, were on their way...

As I have thought about all the world around us and the extreme ideas that have been released, whether true or false, it seems that fear has been the motivating factor for those that want their sides heard and followed. It doesn’t really matter if i...

“They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious. ‘Peace, peace,’ they say, when there is no peace” (Jeremiah 6:14 NIV). Peace! Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to grab a little bit of peace right now? Who knew that the year that was...

I have been thinking a lot lately about my future. As a pastor, and even more specifically simply as a follower of Jesus, I have wondered if I should have my own plans and ideas for what my life should look like. I don’t understand the whole idea o...

When I was a kid, my dad sang in a gospel trio with some friends from our church in Colorado Springs. At first, they sang on Sunday mornings and other church events but they eventually ended up singing at other events associated with our larger...

Grace and Mercy! Those two words should be at the forefront of every single person’s vocabulary and thought process that exists today. I have had multiple conversations with medical personnel and pastors over the last few weeks and it’s amazing how...

WOW!! That’s what is going through my mind as I think about what has happened in our world over the last month and a half. Though we may not see the direct impact of this enemy we call COVID-19, believe me, it’s there. Our family has been directly im...

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18, NIV). My family has some friends who are hurting beyond what words can describe. It’s the kind of thing you wish you could reach in and take the pain...

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one...

I’ve been thinking a lot about judgment lately. There are several phrases that use the idea of judgment in them: an error of judgment, in my judgment, against one's better judgment, pass judgment, reserve judgment, sit in judgment. I’m sure there are...

As I sit here thinking about what to write, knowing that one of the most important holidays in our country will happen tomorrow, Independence Day (yesterday as you read this), I am reminded of the wonderful song “America the Beautiful.” I am in Color...

I’m about to say something that might seem rude and judgmental. But I want you to know it’s out of love and concern that I tell you about my observation of the community of Alva. Please read the whole article before you choose to get upset or wha...

Most people in the middle of the country would know exactly what I mean if I said the term, “black ice.” Webster’s Dictionary describes it like this: “a transparent coating of ice, found especially on a road or other paved surface.” Basically...

Matthew 5:20 (NIV): For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. So … How good are you? Most would say they are pretty decent c...

Psalm 34:18 (NLT): “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.” I received a disheartening phone call this week from someone very important to me. She was in a very dark place; lower than I’ve ever seen from...

Psalm 42:1-6a – For the choir director: A psalm of the descendants of Korah. As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God. I thirst for God, the living God. When can I go and stand before him? Day and night I have only tears f...

“And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity” (Colossians 3:14 NIV) I have had one statement said to me multiple times over the years regarding my appearance. “You don’t look like a pastor,” has been said...

Hebrews 12:15 (NLT): “Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.” Fairly close to the middle of the book of Genesis, we learn a...

“For we live by faith, not by sight.” – 2 Corinthians 5:7 (NIV) Our eyes can deceive us. Have you noticed that, when driving, the road ahead looks as if it gets smaller and smaller? Obviously we know it doesn’t, but it sure looks like it does. M...

“Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by the earth, for it...

My family and I had the privilege of going to Colorado Springs, Colorado, over the 4th of July week to visit my mother and my son’s family. My grandson turned one on July 5 and we were not going to miss that wonderful day. But the day we got there h...

“For we are co-workers in God’s service” (1 Corinthians 3:9a NIV) Yesterday, the 2018 World Cup started in Moscow, Russia. Though the United States still hasn’t quite picked up on the popularity of the game of soccer, more people will watch the “Wo...

Ephesians 4:29, New International Version (NIV): Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. “Sticks and stones may break m...

The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant (Matthew 18:21-35, New International Version) “Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, 'Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?' “Jesus answered, 'I tell you...