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Forgive As You’ve Been Forgiven
Living out our faith isn’t always easy, especially when it comes to forgiveness. It’s one thing to talk about grace and mercy on Sundays but it’s another to actually offer it to someone who hurt you, disappointed you, or let you down. But Scripture doesn’t leave much room for debate. Colossians 3:13 tells us, “Bear with one another, and forgive one another if anyone has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” That last part hits hard: “as the Lord forga
Eric Whittle
Sep 14, 20252 min read


The Vicious Cycle of Violence: Finding the Path of Peace
Another young life has been cut short. The news of Charlie Kirk's death is truly heartbreaking. No matter our political differences, the...

Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.
Sep 11, 20255 min read


Back to the Basics – Living It Out
Over the past month, we’ve looked at some of the most important foundations of our faith—prayer, Bible study, worship, and service. These aren’t just things we do to check off a list. They are essential habits that help us grow closer to God and more like Jesus every day. But now comes the real challenge: putting it into practice. It’s one thing to know why we pray. It’s another to make prayer a part of our daily lives. It’s one thing to say the Bible is important. It’s anoth
Eric Whittle
Aug 31, 20252 min read


Why We Serve
When you look at the life of Jesus, one thing becomes clear: He came to serve. In Mark 10:45, Jesus says, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” If that was His purpose, how can we live any differently? Service is one of the most basic—and most powerful—ways we live out our faith. It’s not about titles or recognition. It’s about humility, love, and the desire to reflect Jesus to the world around us. Whether y
Eric Whittle
Aug 24, 20252 min read


Why Worship Together
Worship is one of the greatest privileges we have as followers of Christ. It’s a time when we lift our hearts and voices in praise, reflect on the cross through communion, and hear the Word of God proclaimed. But as important as worship is, we sometimes forget that it was never meant to be something we do alone. God designed us to worship together. Hebrews 10:24–25 reminds us, “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembli
Eric Whittle
Aug 17, 20252 min read


Why Bible Class Matters
One of the greatest blessings we have as Christians is access to God’s Word. The Bible is how God speaks to us. It’s where we learn who He is, what He’s done, and how He calls us to live. But the truth is, the Bible isn’t always easy to understand, especially for kids and young people who are just starting their faith journey. That’s why Bible class matters. Our Sunday morning and Wednesday night classes aren’t just something extra, they’re an essential part of spiritual grow
Eric Whittle
Aug 10, 20252 min read


7 Signs of Loving Church
Finding a church home is about so much more than a great sermon or beautiful singing. It's about finding a family—a community where you...

Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.
Aug 9, 20255 min read


Trust In God’s Timing: All We Need Is Just A Little Patience
It’s a word we hear often, but living it out can feel like an uphill battle. In a world of instant gratification, where we can get what...

Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.
Aug 5, 20254 min read


Why Do We Pray?
One of the most basic, but most powerful, spiritual habits we can develop is prayer. It’s something we talk about often. We open and close our services with it. We teach our kids how to do it. But if we’re honest, many of us still struggle to truly understand why prayer matters and how vital it is to our daily walk with God. In Luke 11, the disciples came to Jesus with a simple but profound request: “Lord, teach us to pray…” (Luke 11:1). They had seen Jesus perform miracles.
Eric Whittle
Aug 3, 20252 min read


Should A New Testament Christian Observe the Old Testament Laws?
Several years ago, I had an in-depth conversation with an elder of the Lord’s church about Sabbath keeping. The broader issue was whether...

Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.
Jul 7, 202516 min read


Bible Boot Camp (VBS 2025)
It’s finally here—Vacation Bible School kicks off tonight, and we could not be more excited! This year’s theme, Bible Boot Camp, is all about training up the next generation to be strong in faith, courageous in spirit, and ready to stand firm in the Lord. Every night this week, our young recruits will be learning what it means to “put on the whole armor of God” and join the Lord’s Army! For many of us, VBS brings back memories of laughter, snacks, silly songs, and unforgettab
Eric Whittle
Jun 28, 20252 min read


We Can't Know It All: Thoughts From the Ascension of Jesus
The ascension of Jesus is such an amazing part of the gospel message. He completes His earthly work and ascends back to Heaven. However,...

Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.
Jun 22, 20255 min read


You Belong Here
There’s a phrase I want every young person in our church to hear and believe deep down: You belong here. Not just in the pews on Sunday morning. Not just at youth group events. But in the body of Christ. In the mission of the church. In the work God is doing right now. Sometimes we make the mistake of thinking young people are “the future of the church.” But the truth is—you are the church today. Your presence matters. Your voice matters. Your faith matters. You are not on th
Eric Whittle
Jun 21, 20252 min read


What Will People Think?: Why Fretting Over The Opinions of Others is Pure Folly
We've all been there. You're about to post something online, or wear a particular outfit, or express an unconventional opinion, and...

Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.
May 25, 20253 min read


GCBC 2025
Today we leave for Gulf Coast Bible Camp and that is something that, especially our kids and teens, look forward to all year: Bible Camp. There’s something about it that is just different. The songs hit a little deeper, the lessons stick a little longer, and the friendships formed often last a lifetime. It’s more than just fun and games, though there’s plenty of that too, it’s a spiritual high point. It’s a time when distractions fade and hearts are more open to hearing God’s
Eric Whittle
May 24, 20252 min read


Making The Assembly A Priority: Why Attending Church Services Matters
In our fast-paced world, it's easy to let things slip. Our schedules fill up, demands pull us in every direction, and sometimes,...

Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.
May 21, 20253 min read


Fire Starters: 4 Great Evangelists That Changed the World
A soul-winning sermon series can inspire a congregation to actively share their faith and reach out to those who do not know Christ....

Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.
May 14, 20256 min read


The Treasure of a Mother’s Heart: 5 Remarkable Mothers of the Bible
In the tapestry of our lives, few threads are as strong and vibrant as the one woven by our mothers. They are often our first teachers,...

Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.
May 11, 20255 min read


Mother’s Day 2025
Today we celebrate Mother’s Day, and I want to take a moment to say “Happy Mother's Day” to all the wonderful mothers here at Summerdale! We are truly blessed by the love, example, and influence of so many Godly women in this congregation. Your faith, strength, and kindness shape not only your families but this church family as well. When I think about mothers in the Bible, I’m reminded of Hannah. She prayed earnestly for a child, and when God answered her prayer, she kept he
Eric Whittle
May 10, 20251 min read


Smoke, Mirrors & Melodrama: Unpacking the Papal Selection
The Vatican is abuzz, whispers echoing through ancient halls, and the world holds its breath. Another white smoke watch is upon us. But...

Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.
May 8, 20255 min read
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