Small Groups

By Pastor Dave LaChance

 Gal 5:9 “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.” NIV

Generally, I’m not a big fan of reality shows. But there is one of the reality offerings that Mary and I have watched fairly regularly for a few seasons now. I’m sure we’re all familiar with “The Biggest Loser”. We like this show, mainly for two reasons. First, the weight loss is very inspiring! We also enjoy the real-time human drama of interpersonal relationships as people all compete for the same goal; to be the “Biggest Loser!” Read More…

By Pastor Dave LaChance

Gal 4:20 …how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you!  NIV

It wasn’t very long after I ventured into the World Wide Web that I came to the strong conviction that e-mail was the lowest form of communication. At first it was great! The convenience and speed enabled me to communicate with others in a way that I had never known or dreamed. The relative ease of e-mails led to a very casual and cavalier way of communicating. There was no formality, no letterhead, no hand written signature. No stamp, and very little waiting. Just type a few lines and hit “send”. Read More…

By Pastor Dave LaChance

Gal 4:21  Tell me, you who want to be under the law, are you not aware of what the law says? NIV

I certainly would consider myself a “free spirit”. Not in the sense that I drift from place to place and from relationship to relationship. I am deeply committed to my wife and my family. And the same goes for my church family. I love the comfortable and cozy surroundings of my home, and “coming home” is one of my favorite things to do in life. But having tasted “freedom” in Christ I cannot help but be a “free spirit”. I have no desire to be “under the law”, and I marvel that there are so many people who would in fact desire just that. Read More…

By Pastor Dave LaChance

Gal 5:13-14 You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.  14 The entire law is summed up in a single command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” NIV

 Many years ago, when I was about two years into my spiritual journey with Christ, I had the pleasure of meeting a man who would change my life. His name was Horace Evans. Read More…

By Pastor Dave LaChance

Gal 5:13  You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. NIV

(Today’s blog post is a continuation from yesterday) – -

Okay, so we left off with Mr. Kite crashing on the rocks… Here’s the application:  - True freedom requires the kind of partnered interplay pictured in the act of flying a kite. The “wind” represents the Holy Spirit. He is the wind which “blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” (John 3:8) – The one holding the kite over his head represents the Cross of Christ. Jesus said, “But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, (…on a cross) I will draw all men to myself.” (John 12:32). – The one holding the string is the law of Christ, which says, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” ( Gal 6:2) – The “kite” represents Christians; created and “called to be free”. Read More…

By Pastor Dave LaChance

Gal 5:13  You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. NIV

Every Spring I wax nostalgic with the onset of March winds. That’s because, as a kid, our family enjoyed an annual tradition of kite flying. The local five-&-dime store would set up a colorful seasonal display, featuring an assortment of kites. My mom would generously pony-up-the-dime for the kite, and then help me make a tail out of an old sheet she would pull out of  the rag bin. So, with kite, tail, and a long string wound to a spool in tow, we would venture out to a field, or make the drive to a beach on Jamestown for my grand launch. Read More…

By Pastor Dave LaChance

 Gal 3:23-24 Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. 24 So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. NIV

I enjoy old Western movies; especially the kind whose plotline involves the lone hero who is taking his stand against the horde of bad guys. I like the sheriff who stands in front of a jailhouse facing the lynch mob, who have come to forcibly apply vigilante justice against the guy sitting in the cell. With torches and nooses in hand, and with the sheer weight of numbers they are emboldened to push past the sheriff, taking the law into their own hands. But the sheriff will have none of it! He picks out the ringleader, points his gun directly at him and calmly explains the situation; “I can’t stop all of you, but I can sure stop you Joe!” Of course, once the ringleader backs down, the rest of the mob follows suit. But before they sheepishly walk away, the sheriff has the final word; “The judge will be in town tomorrow and he’ll have his day in court!” Read More…

By Pastor Dave LaChance

 Gal 3:21  Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law. NIV

Paul strategically placed this attention-grabbing rhetorical question right where it begs to be asked. Deep into his argument, he runs the risk of getting bogged down in tit-for-tat comparisons between the law and the promise. At this point, the reader may conclude that they are “opposed” to one another. Paul answers his own question; “Absolutely not!” Read More…

By Pastor Dave LaChance

Verse 19 My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you,

Paul appeals to the imagery, not of a father, but of a mother. This is one of the most powerful metaphors in all of Paul’s writings. He speaks of the intensity of his zeal and the fervor of his commitment in being an instrument in God’s hands, not only for their saving, but for the ongoing work of sanctification. He’s willing to return again to, what he calls, “the pains of childbirth”. And for how long? “Until Christ is formed in them”. Read More…

By Pastor Dave LaChance

Gal 3:26-28 You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. NIV

Around twenty years ago, there was a movement that swept through the American Church. At various locations around the country, large gatherings of people convened for times of “Racial Reconciliation”. Having been a participant in one of these gatherings, I can attest to the sincerity and great meaning that was attached to the proceedings. Many injustices were acknowledged, (past and present); prayers were prayed, tears flowed, and new meaningful relationships were formed across racial lines. Read More…