Walking Through the Gospel

By Ryan Itzel           Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. The extra time with family, counting the blessings of the past year, catching up with people whom you have not seen for months, and of course the food is something I dream of all year long! Yet this Thanksgiving will look different for everyone. The time to take the load off from daily life will not quite be like it was last year. The time with friends and family will be more limited, and for many, certain loved ones are no longer here. The threat of COVID-19 seems ever present, and there is no reason to wonder why anxiety seems to rule the day. But does this coming Thursday need to be remembered as Anxiety Day for years to come? The Word of God gives answers for battling the anxious thoughts that plague our daily lives. Philippians 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will g

By Bill Itzel There is a pandemic spreading in American churches.  Our youth are turning away from God in droves.  The number of those who identify as “Nones” (No religious affiliation) is skyrocketing, and so many youth groups respond by playing the same old tired games, singing songs that give a false view of Christ like the new song of the year - Reckless Love, followed by discussion groups where everyone sits around and shares their "feelings" and/or the latest gossip; and the Word of God, rightly divided, is never brought to bear.  There is a staggering lack of biblical discipleship in many churches today, but this lack of accountability in leadership goes beyond just our youth groups and student ministries.  2 Timothy 2:2 says, “and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.”  This is THE model of discipleship.  No matter where you are in your spiritual walk, find someone who knows more