Valley Shepherd

Thank You Lord. For my health, for my wife who loves me, for my kids, for not just a house, but a home, for a loving family, for a heritage from those who have gone on before me, for friends who genuinely care, for allowing me to do what I love to do and that [...]

TALK TO ME! The men’s Bible study I lead on Wednesday evenings has been studying the New Testament book of James this fall. (We always welcome other men joining us whenever you can—6:45 in Room 160!) We were looking at James 5:13ff last evening, and it struck me that if God was saying these words [...]

Have you ever been so excited for something to come and you thought it would never get here? At the end of November, Alyssa and I get to find out if our baby is going to be a boy or girl. I am so excited to find out, it is all I have been thinking [...]

Harvest Time Every day my route to work takes me down Amity road from Five Mile to Meridian road. Along the way I pass by about a dozen farms. Mostly wheat and corn I get to watch as these fields are prepared, planted, and finally harvested. It’s an amazing visual of scripture every day. Have [...]

Last Sunday we remembered the events of September 11th, 2001. Leading up to that Sunday there were several programs on television to help in the remembrance. I can’t begin to imagine what it would have been like to be near ground zero on that day. One of the shows focused on firemen from a nearby [...]

IS JESUS ALL YOU NEED? I grew up singing some great songs that had some lines that stick with me to this day. Songs that say things like— •“When I am burdened or weary and sad, Jesus is all I need…” •“Are you weary, are you heavy-hearted? Tell it to Jesus; tell it to Jesus. [...]

How do you start your day? Whatever your answer is sets the tone for the rest of the day. The home I was raised in always started the day in prayer. Dad and Mom set the tone and that affected the rest of us in the family. With all that is taking place in our [...]

Have you played any fun games the last few weeks? Part of discipling is experiencing and living life together as God’s family. It is a real joy when we can help someone else experience something amazing. When we learn a fun game, we want to share our experience with someone else. When we go to [...]

What I Did On My Summer Vacation – by Paul W. Ellis My story actually starts about 3 weeks before my vacation. You see we drive used cars at the Ellis house, well used cars. I’m actually quite happy with the vehicles that God has blessed us with. The only time I get concerned is [...]

One of the most powerful “fruits of the Spirit” is the fruit of joy. Not only did the New Testament through the Apostle Paul talk about this, but also Nehemiah in the Old Testament. He said: “…for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10) This was certainly a significant insight, considering how [...]