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  • Pastor's Corner

    Greg Brownell|May 30, 2024

    Jesus asked "when the Son of Man returns, will He find faith?" Lk. 18:8. He desires our belief and trust. It surprised me to learn that gold is used in cancer treatment. Experts claim that very small gold particles are excellent in carrying cancer-killing protein. They also distribute the protein without damaging surrounding healthy tissue. Gold is an effective conductor. Understanding this procedure is beyond me but the Bible speaks of our faith in the Lord as being "much more precious than...

  • Pastor's Corner

    Greg Brownell|May 2, 2024

    Our dog looked like a coyote. When I asked the veterinarian what kind of a dog he was, she said, "A coyote." To this day I'm not sure if she was being truthful, or joking around. If he was part coyote, he sure was timid. He enjoyed the berries that are prevalent on the river dike but he wouldn't stick his muzzle into the bush to retrieve the berry because of the thorns. Instead, he'd stand there, look at me, and wait for me to reach into the thorns (sometimes painfully) to get him what he...

  • Pastor's Corner

    Greg Brownell|Apr 18, 2024

    The young couple often picnicked in the cemetery overlooking Dayton. They explained that though many would think it a strange location, they enjoyed the peaceful quietness and the green beauty surrounding them. It was of note that they could be so comfortable in a place where many would be troubled. They attributed their attitude to their personal belief in Jesus Christ who promised to raise the dead. The cemetery held no fear for them. Death seemed to be their friend. Their attitude was very...

  • Pastor's Corner

    Greg Brownell|Apr 4, 2024

    The young couple often picnicked in the cemetery overlooking Dayton. They explained that though many would think it a strange location, they enjoyed the peaceful quietness and the green beauty surrounding them. It was of note that they could be so comfortable in a place where many would be troubled. They attributed their attitude to their personal belief in Jesus Christ who promised to raise the dead. The cemetery held no fear for them. Death seemed to be their friend. Their attitude was very...

  • Pastor's Corner

    Greg Brownell|Mar 28, 2024

    DAYTON–Nearly thirty years ago Susie and I made a trip to Dayton to be interviewed, which would determine if we would Pastor here. On the way we came across a few sheep on the main highway a couple miles out of town. We stopped, moved the sheep off the road, found the owner, and helped them back to their pen. In all the trips we've made on that highway since, we've never again come across sheep on the road. I believe the Lord was calling us to Dayton to help care for His sheep. Jesus spoke of t...

  • Pastor's Corner

    Greg Brownell|Mar 21, 2024

    Nearly thirty years ago Susie and I made a trip to Dayton to be interviewed, which would determine if we would Pastor here. On the way we came across a few sheep on the main highway a couple miles out of town. We stopped, moved the sheep off the road, found the owner, and helped them back to their pen. In all the trips we've made on that highway since, we've never again come across sheep on the road. I believe the Lord was calling us to Dayton to help care for His sheep. Jesus spoke of the...

  • Pastor's Corner

    Greg Brownell|Mar 7, 2024

    A young man borrowed his brothers' car and on a sharp corner lost control. The car came to rest upside down in a 12-foot-deep ditch. Though he was able to climb out of the car safely, he'd been careless with what belonged to another. There are occasions when we borrow what belongs to another and it may become damaged in our care. If we are going to borrow from another, we need to be careful and respectful with it. God's Word is His Word. We must handle it, live it, and walk in it carefully. His...

  • Pastor's Corner

    Greg Brownell|Feb 29, 2024

    We are unable to fully appreciate the magnitude of God's protective, loving care for us. "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness" Ecc. 3:22-23. The 3-year-old little girl had enjoyed treats from the ice cream truck and had learned to recognize its coming. When she heard its cheerful music, she simply leaped off the top of the porch into midair towards its approach. Her father happened to be seat...

  • Pastor's Corner

    Greg Brownell|Feb 22, 2024

    In the story "Acres of Diamonds" a farmer heard about other farmers who became wealthy by discovering diamond mines. He sells his farm to search for diamonds himself. Unable to find any, he became depressed and drowned himself. The irony of the story is that the farm he sold was later discovered to have one of the most productive diamond mines in Africa. The "acres of diamonds" were in his backyard all the time! We don't have to travel to the ends of the earth to be blessed! The Lord blesses us...

  • Pastor's Corner

    Greg Brownell|Jan 18, 2024

    Pressure cookers have become very popular, only now some of them are called "instant pots." They cook faster while sealing in the flavor using pressure and heat. When the food is done, it is important to use the "pressure release valve" before opening the lid or injury and burns can result. Life can be like a pressure cooker. We can feel overwhelmed with worries, responsibilities, deadlines, demands, and fears that it all may go wrong. We need a "pressure release valve" that will release us from...

  • Pastor's Corner

    Greg Brownell|Jan 11, 2024

    Family members laughed with excitement and the many horses present neighed as 250 Amish men lifted and carried a large barn 150 feet to a new location. It only took two minutes and forty seconds for the "hands on lifting up" to be completed on the Hochstetter farm in Ohio. Stepping in unison, hands filled with the portion they could carry, they moved a very large barn! These men provide us with a living picture of the scripture that says "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way, you will...

  • Pastor's Corner

    Greg Brownell|Jan 4, 2024

    It is common to be asked, "How goes the battle?" At times daily life is a fierce battle. In welcoming the New Year, we are aware that there will be battles to face. In the past, horses that carried soldiers into armed battle were called "War Horses." Sometimes they even wore armor. They were often trained to kick and bite and were adept at knowing the wishes of their master by sensing the lean of his body, allowing the rider to free his hands from the reins. We are in a battle of the heart and...

  • Pastor's Corner

    Pastor Greg Brownell|Dec 28, 2023

    As part of the pre-game activities at the Army–Navy football game a formal "prisoner exchange" takes place. The prisoners are the cadets and midshipmen who spent the entire semester studying at the sister academy. In other words, they left their academy to live with their most intense football rivals for an entire semester. As they rejoined their friends they were embraced with great celebration. Watching this tradition, I was reminded that Jesus left His Heavenly home to come live among us. H...

  • Pastor's Corner

    Greg Brownell|Dec 21, 2023

    A particular Dad attending his children’s Christmas program felt left out of the celebration. His unbelieving heart didn’t allow for the excitement and joy that his wife, children, and others were experiencing. It’s no fun being locked out of a celebration while watching others enjoy it. Many have difficulty enjoying Christmas. As wonderful as Christmas can be, some have said, “I can’t wait for it to be over!” It can be such a busy time that they feel overwhelmed by all their responsibilities. Others dread being around certain family memb...

  • Pastor's Corner

    Greg Brownell|Dec 14, 2023

    When a lady unexpectedly dropped off a tasty crockpot meal with an unsuspecting family, she surprised them even further by saying, “And keep the crockpot! I don’t want it back!” When another lady was complimented for her nice purse, she emptied it of its belongings and handed it to the stranger. She said, “I get the most enjoyment out of things by giving them away” (a practice she often repeats). Jesus Christ taught giving in love. He said, “Freely you have received. Freely give” Mt. 10:8. At this Christmas season we celebrate God’s giving....

  • Pastor's Corner

    Greg Brownell|Dec 7, 2023

    Years ago, Paul Harvey reported the story of a road grader operator who became aware that a nearby ambulance wouldn’t get the critical accident victim to the hospital in time. Taking matters into his own hands he plowed through a fence row and made a road that cut off the time and distance to the hospital. It was later he learned that the patient he helped save was his own daughter. The Bible teaches we “reap what we sow.” In such a personal way, the road grader operator reaped the benefits of what he had sown. The same is true of inves...

  • Pastor's Corner

    Greg Brownell|Nov 30, 2023

    A young Dayton serviceman stationed in California shared that he was discouraged. He missed home. He missed Dayton. He happened to be in a public place where a radio was broadcasting the news. Strangely, a small, insignificant item was mentioned about Dayton, Wash. A warm, homey feeling crept over him. He took that news report as a special gift and was encouraged. The Bible says, "Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land" Prov. 25:25. It is inestimable what a timely word...

  • Pastor's Corner

    Greg Brownell|Nov 23, 2023

    A rancher told those of us sitting in the Doctor's waiting room that raising buffalo was more challenging than raising cattle. He said you couldn't rope and lead a buffalo like a cow, but that they could be led by laying out hay when they were hungry. The hungry buffalo would walk along, consuming the row of hay and end up being where the rancher wanted him to be. The rancher's explanation reminded me of the verse, "God's kindness is intended to lead you to repentance" Ro. 2:4. The Lord leads...

  • Pastor's Corner

    Greg Brownell|Nov 16, 2023

    Even Christians stumble and fall in their relationship with their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We must honor God’s promise that when we acknowledge our sins to Him, He truly forgives us. We are promised: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness”(1 Jn. 1:9). We are not honoring His faithful character to forgive us when we keep poking ourselves for something we are ashamed of in our past. We are not honoring His faithful and loving character when we allow our minds to d...

  • Pastor's Corner

    Greg Brownell|Nov 9, 2023

    Mom's wooden mixing spoon was often used on our backsides. Though she didn't paddle too hard, it was her choice instrument for disciplining us kids. My siblings and I became skillful at hiding the spoon from her or "accidentally" breaking it when we knew that discipline was coming. The strange thing is that the very instrument that brought the sting of discipline was also instrumental in bringing us tasty dishes to eat. She used the spoon to mix up cakes, pies, meat loafs, and tasty casseroles....

  • Pastor's Corner

    Pastor Greg Brownell|Oct 26, 2023

    A friend noticed a small pair of bronze shoes on the mantle and asked what they were. I responded with the truth: they were my baby shoes my parents had bronzed many years ago. My friend didn't believe me. As unaccustomed as he was to what was at one time a common practice, he thought I was making a joke. I wasn't. In the past parents sometimes had their baby's first shoes bronzed because they represented a time that was special to their family. The attractively preserved shoes spoke of a time...

  • Pastor's Corner

    Greg Brownell|Oct 12, 2023

    We never know how much a kind greeting or warm hello can mean to someone who is going through a difficult time. A dad and his son were both in the service during wartime, serving in different locations. Not having seen each other for months and being concerned for each other's safety, they caught a quick glimpse of each other across the airport tarmac as they were each boarding flights to different places of duty. Their excitement was expressed in wild two-handed waves and smiles as each stood...

  • Pastor's Corner

    Greg Brownell|Oct 5, 2023

    Prior to his conversion, the Apostle Paul (under the name of Saul) was responsible for the imprisonment of Christians, some of them being put to death. The Lord got ahold of him and he became a new creation in Christ. Paul referred to himself as "the chief of sinners" to whom God had shown His long-suffering mercy. There may be times when we need to be reminded that the Lord loves every person and desires them to be saved, regardless of what they've done or how horrible they have been. There...

  • Pastor's Corner

    Greg Brownell|Sep 28, 2023

    Strange things happen with the telephone. Years ago, I hung up the phone after a visit with one of our church ladies. Later, when I went to make a call, I heard distant voices (which I recognized) on the other end, seemingly visiting together. It took a moment for me to realize that the call I'd made earlier was still connected. I spoke loudly into the phone repeatedly to ask them to properly hang up their phone (so I could make a call) but they couldn't hear me. The experience was a blessing....

  • Pastor's Corner

    Greg Brownell|Sep 7, 2023

    My wife and I were alarmed at the conclusion of a church conference when a Pastor took off for home, forgetting his wife. He left her stranded in the church yard. She calmly stated that he often forgot her. She said that he would eventually remember and return for her. It's hard to imagine that kind of forgetfulness. The Bible tells of a woman who forgot. She was so taken by Jesus' words of living water that she went to tell others "leaving her water jar". She forgot her valuable and needed wate...

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