Ark Valley News - Hope and hilarity

Hope and hilarity
By Chuck Terrill
Last Updated: April 20, 2017

We in VC do believe

We are fortunate to live in faith-filled community. Pessimism is in vogue, these days. In Valley Center, Kansas, though, there is a remnant of good, humble, hard-working people. We are tired of a lot of negative things that are transpiring in our nation. But our hope is placed somewhere else. We are the eternal optimists.

The Christians in our community still believe the essential truths concerning Jesus. We believe that the Messiah was born of a virgin, named Mary. We believe that Jesus had no earthly father, so, He is the Son of God. Nothing can sway us in our faith concerning the miraculous incarnation of Christ. He is God, clothed in the flesh of a man.

In Valley Center, Kansas, Christians believe that the biggest problem we face is the problem of sin. The only remedy to the sin issue is Christ. We believe that he died, in our place, to pay the debt of our sins. At the U.N., you won't hear a delegate rise to say that our international problems are caused by our national sins. You won't hear a congressman filibuster for a return to Christ as the solution to our national difficulties. But our churches continue to preach those truths. Christ died for us. He is the only solution.

In Valley Center, Kansas, Christians still believe that Christ rose bodily from the grave. We don't worship an apparition. We serve a risen savior, he's in the world today! Most of the world knows that he died. The church knows that he rose from the dead. Somebody stole the body? Swoon theory? Forget about it! He rose! The Christians in our community are living in the power of Easter. We are living resurrected lives. Because he lives, we also live. Eternally.

In Valley Center, Kansas, Christians still believe that Christ is coming back for his church. He will come personally and visibly. He is going to reign for eternity. We might have differing ideas about the "how?" of his return, be we all agree that he is on the way. And, the sooner the better, we say. Our prayer is that every single person in our community is ready for his arrival.

In Valley Center, Kansas, Christians are the good society of people who have been born twice. They aren't measuring success by counting nickels and noses. They believe in Jesus Christ. They stand on the word of God. They enjoy the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. Their churches are built on the solid rock.

Maybe you attended church on Easter Sunday. It could have been the first time in a long time. Don't stop, now! You encouraged the body of Christ by your presence. The body of Christ encouraged you. That's the way it is supposed to work.

In Valley Center, Kansas, we don't have all the answers, but we know the one who does. His name is Jesus.

"I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." (Matthew 16:18)

Chuck Terrill is pastor of Valley Center Christian Church. Reach him at chuck@valleycenterchristianchurch.org or 755-1233.