A Faith Story Worth Reading...

Anyone that know me well, know that I listen to National Public Radio (NPR) all the time.  I love the diversity of its programs.  I was delighted several years ago when NPR resurrected a program, “This I Believe”, from my distant past.  It is based on a 1950’s radio program of the same name.  Americans from all walks of life share their personal philosophies and core values that guide their daily lives.  When asked to write this article, it immediately came to me, to focus on what I believe.  All that I believe in my Christian life cannot be told in this allotted space, but here are some of my strongest beliefs.  I consider all of these and many others very important.     

I believe in God, and I believe He loves us and wants us to be happy. I sincerely believe that every human being is a soul, and therefore precious in the sight of God and valuable in our own sight, no matter what our merits or regardless of our achievements or position in life. That position gives meaning and adds a Christian challenge to each day. For I’m not dealing with individuals as just people. Outside they wear the identification of friends, family, and coworkers. Yet inside, each one of them is just like I am: just another soul trying to grow nearer to their God and to be more helpful to their fellow man. I don’t know why God allows things to happen, but I believe in God, and I believe He loves us and wants us to be happy.

I believe in Matthew 25: 40 “…Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” Jesus goes on to give examples of those who are hungry, imprisoned, lack warm clothing, all of those who are so hard to love or even just to like. They don’t smell good, they try to manipulate you and even abuse your kindness and hard earned money. But love them anyway, Jesus would.  This belief was instilled in me early on as a preacher’s kid.  My dad was a Baptist minister that took me everywhere he went.  We, Jo-Ann I, found this at The Valley.

I believe that every human being is important, and therefore precious in the sight of God and valuable in our own sight, no matter what our merits or regardless of our achievements or position in life. That belief gives me a deeper meaning and adds a Christian challenge to each day. For I’m not dealing with individuals as just people. Outside, they wear the identification of ordinary folks. Yet inside, each one of them is just like me. We also found this at The Valley.

Finally, I believe that God is the Creator of all life and every human being is created in God's image. Jesus Christ is Savior of the world, the Son of the Living God, and that a personal relationship with Jesus transforms lives. The Holy Spirit is available to all people and responsible for the inspiration and energy to accomplish all things within the church. God continues to speak to us through the Bible, and I am devoted to the study of the scriptures for discerning God's will for my life.

                                                 - Ned Harris

(Ned and his wife JoAnn became a part of The Valley's ministry in July 2009.  Ned is a deacon in the church and serves on the Leadership Team, Sustainability Team, is involved with Men's Ministry and is a volunteer for The Learning Center @ The Valley.)



Our Pastor's Random Thoughts...

Rev. Ed Huckleberry offers insights and opinions on scripture, issues surrounding the church, and events in our community and around the world that affect our thinking. 

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Thoughts from The Valley...       (April-May 2012 newsletter musings from Rev. Ed)

  I was recently asked, “Are we capable of hitting our 20k12 goal?”  That goal is for our congregation to introduce The Valley to 20,000 people during 2012.  At this point we are approaching 2,500 contacts.  My response to the question was simply, “Yes, we are more than capable of doing it.”  The next question was, “Will we?”  I said, “I believe in the people of this church and I believe in God.  Between the two, anything and everything is possible.” 

   20k12 is an ambitious goal.  But why shouldn’t it be?  I fully believe that God is at work in this congregation, I fully believe that God is moving in the lives of people who are a part of this church, and they are committed to sharing this good news with others.  That’s what it takes.  God is doing something wonderful here, isn’t that something we should tell the world?  Isn’t that something we should be excited about? 

   I have a picture in my office of me and my closest friend from childhood (his name is Tobo).  We look to be about five years old at the time.  We were born three days a part (I’m the oldest) and our backyards were divided only by a narrow alley.  We shared a playpen together as well as important times in our lives and a great many not-so-important times.  We don’t get to see each other a great deal because he still lives in my hometown, more than 100 miles away.  But when we are able to be together like we were recently, it’s like we pick-up from where we left off, we don’t have to talk about the old times because we appreciate the times we are together.  I thank God for friendships that last a lifetime.

  I would ask that you continue to be in prayer for The Valley’s Sustainability Team.  This group has been working very hard to map out short-term and long-term plans to make our church self-sustaining.  We are so grateful to our Middletown Campus for supporting us as we started this new ministry, but the time has come for The Valley to be fully self-supporting.  We expect to make significant progress toward that goal by the end of the year. 

 - Rev. Ed