"Presents, Presents Everywhere"

        One sign of evidence that Christmas took place at my home is one that I am certain that you have as well. Sacks and sacks of discarded Christmas paper and boxes which once held an assortment of presents, now fill my garage awaiting the garbage man to haul them away. But the best present I got this year didn't come wrapped in any shiny paper. It wasn't bought at in a Mall or Box store. Nor was it purchased on-line. As a matter of fact the cost of this gift was me simply taking the time out of my day to allow this gift to come forth. 
   It was now Saturday afternoon, December 22nd, lunch as over and four sets of little eyes looked up at me and said, "Now can we play in the snow, Grandpa?" So the girls got everyone bundled up, almost to the point to where the two littlest ones could hardly walk. Off we went to the front yard, a 3,4,6, 8 and 55 year old. Yup just me in a snow ball fight against four much faster snow ball makers and throwers then I. When that ended we built a Snowman, sort of! The snow would not roll into a ball so instead we stacked one big chuck of snow/ice on top of another. After several failed attempts to keep the chucks from sliding off, we finally got our snow creature together. After a picture or two were taken my oldest, Ty then laid a perfect form tackle on our Frosty look alike sending him back to the ground from which he had come from. Now it was sledding time. We went to the deck in the backyard. The snow was packed hard upon the steps of the deck creating a perfect sled run for these future Olyimpic sledders. Ty & Emma of course had to see who could go the farthest with each new turn they took. While Chase and Drew always slid together hoping to tip over face first into the wintry white stuff! And there you have it! This Grandpa's Christmas gift! There are times when I am not the Grandpa that I want and should be for my four little ones that God has blessed me with. But on this Saturday before Christmas, my present came early as I listened to the laughter of my little ones and them simply asking, "Grandpa, can we go again!" It doesn't get any better then that!
     Thank You Jesus!
         So what memory did you make this year at Christmas that was your favorite Christmas present?
Have a Blessed and Joy Filled New Year in Christ! Pastor Rick Koch - Dutchtown                     

"Falling Off the Spiritual Cliff"

   In recent weeks one story has dominated our news coverage, "Falling off the Fiscal Cliff". In trying to be a good citizen I have done my fair share of reading to try and know just what this "Fiscal Cliff" thing is and it's impact on our nation and other nations if the Congress and the White House does not do something about it. We'll just have to wait and see what happens. Other major news stories have included Syria and Susan Rice, Medicare and Medicaid to name a few. Closer to home many of the young adults I know are focused on Finals, guys like me on Fantasy Football and our wives on Finishing Christmas Cards. 
     But then came Friday and now our hearts and our media are focused on one place, Newtown,  Connecticut. We once again find ourselves grateful for Teachers, all whom serve our children faithfully. Others who served their kids with their lives. Today we grieve for parents and grandparents who can now only hold on too pictures of their 6 & 7 years olds. And today we hold tight to our little ones, our Ty's and Emma's and so many more. And we thank our God that the presents under our Christmas trees will not go unwrapped.
    But we, the Church, also offer up the Hope of Christ, God's Son! The Hope of Christmas! Without this hope sent to us from God the Father, we all would be teetering  perilously on a "Spiritual Cliff". You see our Governments cannot fix what ails us as individuals and as a nation, as hard as they may try. Only Jesus, God's only Son can bring the hope needed in Newtown today. It is the work of His Church to hold out that hope this Christmas, offering more then a shoulder to cry on or a listening ear. Yes, we offer these and the Love of One who will always be there for them for Christmas's to come. 
    Be filled this day with the Hope of the Christ Child, Pastor Rick Koch - Dutchtown Church       




   

Me! A Minority!

   I am a white middle-aged man, a late baby boomer, with thinning hair. Been married 35 years and I have two married children and they are both married and have two children. I am a middle income man who is a conservative in the way I manage my money (well my wife actually manages the money) and I am a conservative politically and in my faith. Because of this simple bio, I am apart of a Majority, when it comes to looking at different groups of people in America today.
     But I am also apart of a Minority group as well. A group of people who proclaim enthusiastically at this year, "Merry Christmas" to those I pass by and not Happy Holidays. Now some have said that we have beaten this issue into the ground and need to let it go. I can't. Just last week I read in our local paper in a letter to the Editor, "That we Christians need to just let it go". In quoting Bob Dylan they said, "the times they are a changin'." That really is a great song and yes the times are changing. But in my humble opinion changing to the detriment of society and to our world in general. Just because the times are changing does not mean that God does! I believe that the word of God still says,  "I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." And does it not also tell us in Acts "that salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." In other very simply words, no matter how much the times change, Gods Truth never does! You see when you and I say Merry Christmas we are proclaiming that this season is all about Jesus!  
 I am going to forward you all a a well a link to a video that will help to remind us that Christmas is all about Jesus, His birth, His life and the Cross!
  Have a very Merry Christmas! Pastor Rick Koch Dutchtown

A Parent Forever

         In Proverbs it tells us that if we Raise up a child in the way that they should go, when they are old they will not stray from it." Words from God that are a reward, so to speak, to parents when their kids grow into adulthood and we see them living out some of the stuff that we taught them.
        Today, I get to rejoicee in seeing this come true as later this week my two adult daughters leave there own young families behind for a few days as they travel to southern Missouri to help care for and visit with their grandparents there, my mom and step-dad, who are facing several health issues. They are not going because I suggested it or told that that they should, they had the idea all by themselves. Thank you Lord! I guess a few of the things my wife and I tried to teach them in their younger years did soak in! Or at least a few of the things that there mom taught them!
      But now as I sit here today I am reminded that my responsibility as a parent to them is not over, instead it has simply changed! Unfortunately many parents think that when their kids become adults that their responsibility in setting a Christlike adult example is over. "I've done my job, their adults now. They are responsible for there own actions!" Even though there is a little validity to this statement, very little, our adult children continue each day to need Christlike, common sense moms and dads to look up to and to continue to learn from. So if you are a parent of a two year old or a thirty-two year old, you never stop being a parent! May you parents out there look to Christ and His continual guidance as you seek to be the parents to your adult children they need you to be!
       Your brother in Christ & a Parent of adult girls as well! Pastor Rick Koch - Dutchtown 

Transformers

I was having a talk with my oldest grandson this past weekend. He's 8 and I was trying to impress him with my knowledge of the Transformer movies and it's characters. Oh, by the way I love those movies! Anyway, this was just one way of me trying find ways to connect with him and when I had finished talking he began to rattle of the names of various Transformers I had never heard of and then he told just what role they played  in the different movies. Wow, was I way out of my league!
        Then today with the long Thanksgiving weekend behind me, I found myself on Monday morning in our sanctuary in prayer, as is my custom. And when I finished I looked around the church and saw an entirely different transformation in process going on all around me. The Thanksgiving decorations were down and strewn all over the front of the church and right beside them awaiting to bring new life to the Altar area and the rest of the Church were Christmas decorations, anxiously awaiting to be put into place. It was an Altar in limbo. But then that is what Advent is as well. A time of Transformation, of not just our churches and homes, but even more so, a transformation of our hearts and souls as God the Father sends to one and all His Child, the Christ, born anew once again in our hearts. Where there He takes my tired and weary life and He interjects renewal, He turns our doubts into renewed hope. He takes our pain and softens it with the coo of a baby.
      By the time Sunday rolls around the Church will look much different. It will have been Transformed. But then comes Advent our Transformation into the children of God that our Father longs to see. I am not there yet. Right now I feel a bit like "Bumble Bee", my shine is going on! I'm anxious to go as fast as I can, but I'm a little bit clumsy yet, and at times hard to understand! But then I am still in Transformation mode!
   Love Ya' All Rick Koch Dutchtown Church                

A Cornacopia of Thanksgiving

A Blessed Thanksgiving to you All!
       Over the last week or so I have been sending out to my Church, we affectionately call Dutchtown, a email each day about things that "I'm Thankful For..." Today, I want to widen the group I share with on this day before Thanksgiving, a wide variety of my Thankfulness. A Cornucopia of Thanksgiving! I sure hope I spelled Cornucopia right because spell check might not know that word!
   Anyway, on this day before Thanksgiving I am thankful for Jesus Christ and the salvation I know thru Him. There was a time in my life when I did not know Jesus and His saving grace. I am thankful to our Father in Heaven for giving us His Son.
      I am thankful for the strength of the Holy Spirit when it is hard to live out our faith. A few words from C.S. Lewis in his "Screwtape Letters: "Satan's cause is never more in danger then when a human being no longer desiring, but still intending to do God's will, looks around upon a world from which every trace of God seems to have vanished and asks why he has been forsaken, yet still obeys."  Thank you God for that kind of Faith & your Holy Spirit!
     I am thankful to God for noisy kids at church and grand kids at home this Thanksgiving.
 I am thankful for two loving daughters and the respect I have and am proud to give to my two son-in-laws.
I heard this one in Church on Sunday and I echo it as well, I am thankful for healing drugs. The person in church simply said that they were thankful for drugs. Which of course caused me to remember the song, "I Want a New Drug" by Hewie Lewis and the News in 1984, from the then cassette "Sports".
  I am thankful that I can remember such dumb trivia, but cannot remember what I wore yesterday!
  O.K. it's time to end this rambling. I am Thankful for those of you that read this and that from time to time it might bless you, challenge you or cause a smile to rest upon your face.
   Anyway, have a joyful Thanksgiving! Pastor Rick Koch Dutchtown Church       

Good coming from Bad

Hello All, I share with you first of all today this scripture from Romans 8:28. "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him who have been called according to His purpose." A passage that at times has baffled many of us, including myself. A friend just finds out that they have Cancer and somehow we who call ourselves Christians are to understand that God will work for good amidst a situation like this. It takes a lot of Faith!
    Now a real life story. On Thursday, November 1st my little brother calls me to tell me that our Mom is having Surgery on Friday for she fell and broke her hip. She needs a hip replacement. To complicate maters mom has Fibromyalgia and is in early stage Dementia. To ccomplicate matters even more I had not talked to my Mom or step dad Phil for almost two years. Like some of you out there, I too live with a fractured family. Yes, I'm a Christian and a Pastor and I wish it were not this way, but this is a reality in my life and many of yours! 
    That same Thursday I called my step father with anxiousness to inquire about mom not knowing if he would take my call. Phil took my call and asked me and my Church to be in prayer for them. Ice broken, thank you God! In the weeks past Phil and I have spoken often and earlier this week I was able to finally talk to my mom with simple, "I Love yous" and "I miss yous" exchanged. Down the road I plan to visit them in Missouri.
     I wish it had not taken my mom breaking her hip to begin the healing process between us. But God has once again worked for the good amidst the physical pain my mom now deals with, not to mention Phil having to play nursemaid to her as he cares for her lovingly. A long way to go yet in re-building our relationships, but ice now broken.
   I share this with you today for I now that there are many of you out there reading this that are living amidst broken families of all kinds. You ache and you hurt over the anguish you feel. I write this to you who have families that experience little of this brokenness, that you wouldl truly cherish that! And that you would be in prayer for countless families that you know who wish their family was more like yours. Folks there is hope! And it comes in person called Jesus!  Never give up hope and always trust in Him.
     Your Brother in Christ, Rick Koch Dutchtown Church          
 

Rushing into Christmas

     Every year about this time I get this wild hair up my nose and I need to get on my soapbox and get this off of my chest! I know that this is a cliche, but it seems to me that the Christmas Season gets promoted earlier and earlier with each new year. Now I would not have any problem with this if the "True" reason we have Christmas got promoted earlier, that being the birth of Jesus. That would be great! But once again our stores have toy lands open earlier and earlier. Christmas music is now being played in many of the larger Box stores and I saw Christmas decorations up at a few homes before it was even Halloween! Slow down! It's not that I have anything against Christmas, I love it! I love to go shopping, I really do! I like putting up Christmas decorations or at least watching Beckie put them up. And I love Christmas music. But why does it have to come at the expense of Thanksgiving? A time of the year to pause and reflect on the goodness of God. Here at Dutchtown we have this time each week in worship to share about our blessings from the past week, to bless God with our praise. Yet as time goes by our sharing gets less and less. How is that if God is a glorious God, and He is. No instead it is simply a reflection upon us and our lack of thanksgiving to Him. Unfortunately this is happening all around our great country. We want and we want some more, but we often times fail to stop and give thanks. The Word of God tells us to Bless Him first and then He will bless our land. It's high time we get this right before it is too late! This Thanksgiving Season, take time out to tell God "Thank You" over and over again. He is worthy! Your brother in Christ Rick Koch      

VOTE

  I know that I am not supposed to talk about Politics from the pulpit as a Pastor or too share why you should vote for a certain candidate. So I will not do that! Instead a little story to tell you. An acquaintance of mine asked me the other day why am I going to the trouble of voting in the Presidential election come tomorrow seeing as I am going to vote for the Republican candidate. Because it's a "No Brainer" that the Democratic Candidate is going to win the state and it's Electoral delegates. Well for one, I never have liked the Electoral College, but more importantly voting is a "Right" that I am given in our great nation. A "Right" that many other nations wish they had, but do not. I get to vote without harassment or anyone looking over my shoulder. As a matter of fact, let's say you decide not to vote for whatever bad excuse you come up with. If you later on begin to engage me in conversation about the woes of our nation, I WILL turn a deaf ear towards you for you gave up that right to complain when you decided voting wasn't worth your time! Voting is just one way that we as Christians and Christ's Church can try to further God's Word in our nation. So come Tuesday, get out and exercise this precious right that you have. And never, ever let someone tell you that your vote does not count! Your Brother in Christ, Pastor Rick Koch  

"The Agony of Defeat"

   As I grew up we did not have scads of sports TV stations like we have today. In the Summer we had one baseball game a week on a Saturday afternoon and on Sunday, one game that was shown as well. But we did have on ABC "The Wide World of Sports". This station showed a wide variety of different sports each Saturday and Sunday afternoon's. This show is best known for these words that were a part of it's slogan, "We will bring to you the Thrill of victory and the Agony of Defeat"!  In the 20 plus years of living here in Milledgeville I have seen hundreds of different athletic events that our Jr. & Senior High school atheletes have participated in. I have enjoyed along with these athlete's and their parents, "The joy of victory". But I also have been there in those agonizing times of defeat. Times when our Dutchtown youth  have sustained an injury and were told that their season was over. Times when our athletes have worked so hard , but seen little time on the field or floor. Times when they suffered one loss after another, yet still clung to hope. Times when they fell just short of moving on to the next round, the next meet, the next game by just seconds, yards or one point. But our youth are resilient! They pick themselves back after each agonizing heartache and they move on in life.
     You and I do not do as well as they do when we have to face the "Agony of Defeat" time and time again. But that is why we Christ gave us His Church! A Place, a People, who have been through it just like us! And a people who are there for us when we are in the grip of yet another defeat! I don't know how people without Christ and the Church do it?  But this I do know, I am so thankful that you and I do have the Church to be there with us, to help celebrate our victories and to lift us up as we encounter defeats! So go forth today and build up those around you facing a defeat. Go forth and Be Christ's Church!
     Your Brother in Christ, Pastor Rick Koch

I Whine a Lot!

  Just this past Sunday I was teaching the kids at church about "Being Thankful". I used the scripture from I Thessalonians 5:16-18, "Be Cheerful no matter what; pray all the time, thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Jesus Christ to Live."   The kids got the point and when the story was over most of them said ,"Thank You" for the sucker they got afterwards. Mission accompished!
     Yet here I sit today, weary and tired, not all that Cheerful. As I am writing this my head is bobbing like that little ceramic doggie in the back of the car, with his head bouncing to & fro with every bump in the road you hit. Yet in the midst of my yawning and whining I know that faith is revitalizing those around me, praying my way through this funk and continuing to Thank God, WHY! Because this is how he wants me to live!
   Sometimes we all need a little Slap upsides the head by the Holy Spirit to get us going again. So if you're in a similar place today or find yourself in one tomorrow, I will pray that the Holy Spirit will give you a little Love Tap upside your noggin' to remind you how to live as well. Man, if I get to many more of these Love Taps from Christ, I'm gonna need to see my Chiropractor! Your Brother in Christ, Rick Koch  

"Chance Meetings"

    Last week My wife, Beckie and I spent four days in Door County, Wisconsin. We came to see the color that we had heard so much about and we were NOT disappointed! As we turned down each new road that we had never been on before, there lying ahead of us was just one more breathe taking vista of God's Creation! But what I really want to share with you mostly today about our trip is this story. It was now Tuesday evening and our stomachs began to tell us that it was time to eat once again. WE did a lot of eating last week. As Beckie and I were walking down the stairway in our Inn, just before we walked out of the doors I glanced to my left into the welcoming foyer of our old English Inn. I then turned my head back and said, "Nay", but then turned one more time to my left and off in a corner of the foyer resting were Steve & Karen Bazzell, from Milledgeville. Friends of ours who lived only six or seven houses down the street! Come to find out, they have been coming to Door County for 19 years in a row now and staying at this same place! In the next few days we had severall visits with the Bazzells, shaking our heads each time at this "Chance Meeting" that had taken place.
    When I think back on this "Chance Meeting" I am saddened about how many Christians I know that hope that they get to have that "Chance Meeting" with Christ when their time on this earth is up or if Jesus comes back before then. But the scriptures are firm when thay tell us that we CAN know beyond a shadow of a doubt that our place in heaven is secure. This is what Romans 10:12 says, "Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved!" It does not say "Maybe" or "If you do all the right things", it says EVERYONE! Your meeting Christ in Heaven will not be a Chance Meeting. If you have received Him as your Lord and Savior, your there! No if, ands or buts about it!
   Now go out and live your faith, not trying to earn something, but live it in the Joy of knowing your place in heaven is secure! Your Brother in Christ! Pastor Rick Koch Dutchtown Church   

Octoberfest

       Hre in the mid-west one of the big times of the year for our small communities is our Octoberfest's! Celebrations where the aroma of Brats and an assortment of German sausages can fill the air for miles around. A time when Beer tents crop up, places for those of you who choose to, can get a draft or two of your favorite fall ale. Celebrations proclaiming the changing of the season and the bounty God has blessed us with.
     In a similar way we in the Church celebrate our own Oktoberfest as well, but we call it Holy Communion. Communion is the celebration of Christ's supper. We eat unleavened bread, a simple feast, but one filled with symbolism and hope! You see this bread represents the body of Jesus, God's only Son. When we eat of this bread we are to be reminded of His body that taught the masses, healed the hurting, went to the Cross and their died for you and I. When we drink that little sip of juice we are to be reminded that it is a symbol of His blood spilt on or behalf. His blood which washes away our sins and  ushers you and I into the presence of His love.
     So you see this really is an Oktoberfest of a sort! A Celebration of Christ. This coming Sunday is World Communion Sunday. Go to Church somewhere and Celebrate with Christians around the world this Lord's Supper, Communion, our God given Oktoberfest!
     Love you all! Your brother in Christ Pastor Rick Koch  Dutchtown Church        

The Hardest words you will ever say

    On Saturday September 15th, I had the opportunity to work side by side with many other youth at the Big Day of Sevice on Yorkville Illinois. I spent my day at low income housing for Senior Citizens. As the day drew to a close, with the work accomplished and now only having to clean-up and put away the tools that we had used, I found myself looking around for a few of our youth wondering, where are they and why are they not helping out! I found them taking break and visiting with some of the people whom we had been working for. I jumped them for not helping out the rest of the youth who were outside do some of thier work. They hurried to thier feet and began to help. Later, that week I felt remorse over what I had done. You see these kids were not just working to help ourt a few Senior Citizens and then going home, they were spending real time with them in conversation & caring for them in a different way.
      I teach our youth in Sunday schol and this Sunday I asked for Forgiveness for my attitude towards them and I let them know how much I appreciated them striking up a relationship with these folks who get way to little company.
     The hardest words you and I will ever say are, "Please forgive me" or "I forgive you".  For those of you in Church on Sunday we talked a little about this, but I can never stress enough the impact that you and I saying these words can have on our families, Churches and in the place that you work. The healing they can bring to both the sayer and the recipient. I am grateful that my youth forgave me and for the spiritual freedom I now have because I asked for forgivenes and it was granted!
     If all went well I have included two music video's for you to watch that express how hard it is to Forgive, but also the freedom it brings to Giver and Reciever. The words are powerful. May they move you to offer Forgiveness you have been denying or Forgiveness you need to ask for. The hardest words you will ever say, but when said, Oh the peace that will come over you as well!
   Love you All! Your Brother in Christ Pastor Rick Koch Dutchtown Church         


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1Lu5udXEZI

My Bass Thumb

    This past Saturday I was driving to Yorkville Illinois with some high school youth to work for the day on a mission project. On the drive in one of the kids noticed a band-aid on my thumb and began to kid me how I had not even done any work yet and I was already hurt! Then they asked what I had done to my thumb. I told that I had a Bass Thumb. They gave me a look, probably much like the look some of you now have on your faces, unless you are an avid fisherman. You see earlier in the week I had been Largemouth Bass fishing one evening and had caught several. In the process of taking the hook out of their mouth's you simply grab the fishes lower lip with your thumb and it neutralizes them while you take out the hook or lure. So why was my thumb in need of a band-aid. The lower lip is covered with an area that is like a very gritty sandpaperer, and in time if you catch enough fish that lower lip tears away at your skin, as it did mine. In a way this Bass thumb of mine was my "Badge of Honor" for catching fish. A source of great pride.  
     Earlier today I began to wonder what scars or marks are upon my life that show that I am a follower of Jesus? Do people around me see me any differently then they see anyone else? Are we wearing our Faith in Christ in a way that is leading others who do not know Him, towards Him? Do we bear any scars from standing up for Christ? I sure hope so!
      Go forth this week and be the body of Christ bearing His mark upon your lives!
               Pastor Rick Koch Dutchtown Church 

Sunrise

   Is there anything more awesome crerated by God, more majestic then a Sunrise! Today when I got up I blew off running or working out. Just didn't have the get up and go. So I got out to Church a bit earlier then ususal and as I went to park my car I found myself pulling over to the north side of my church where I had full view of the sun arising. The vivid colors put many rainbows to shame,  the beauty of one causes me to praise God for his word in Lamentations 3:22 & 23. "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". And as I was watching the sunrise and in prayer, the song "In Wonder" from the Newsboys began to play on my radio. Wow, what a rush, a surge of Holy Adreneline pouring through my body. I have included that Song/video for you to enjoy as well. Have a blessed day. Pastor Rick Koch Dutchtown Church 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6bBxO37LE4

Passwords

    I don't know about you, but I get frustrated from time to time about having all of the different "Passwords" that I need to have so that "I" can even get access to my own computer files and sites that I have saved under my Favorites site. I will "Fess Up" and say that part of the problem is me simply trying to remember what Password I need to use for each site. And then of course there are times when I get so frustrated trying to "Sign In" that I change my Password and then I get this message that there is a 24 hour "Waiting Period" before I can access my files because I changed my Password and that all of this is for my own protection! Oh joy! Don't these people know that I almost missed my Fantasy Football draft over a silly password issue!
       Anyway, amidst my frustration I got to thinking about what a wonderful Father we have in Heaven in that He requires NO password from us to speak to Him whenever we want! You see when Jesus died on the cross scripture tells us in Matthew 27:51 that the curtain in the Temple separating the the Holy of Holies, the place where the Ark of the Covenant was held, that this curtain was torn in two from top to bottom giving everyone direct access to our Father in Heaven 24/7! Thanks be to our Lord who makes it so easy to have access to Him, to pray to Him and to know that He is listening and ready to respond to you and I. So the next time you have an issue with a Password, remember how much God Loves you and gives you access to Him, to listen to you, to bless you and build you up in your faith.
          Have a Joy Filled Week! Pastor Rick Koch Dutchtown Church    

"THe Blow Out"

     It was late afternoon on Wednesday, August 15th. Beckie and I had taken a vacation day and now were were taking Drew and Emma into Chicago to Brookfield Zoo for the day. They had stayed the night with us on Tuesday so that we could get an early start. To make a long Zoo story short, we arrived at Brookfield at 10:00a.m. and did not leave until 4:00p.m. We spent the day seeing all that we could amidst the intense heat. It was now time to go home and there was no way to get around the mid-afternoon Chicago traffic. What a bummer! We barely made it out of the parking lot before Drew fell fast asleep. A little while later Emma nodded off and then Beckie took little cat naps as we began our trek home. There I was left to fend for myself. That's what Grandpas do. After driving for about 40 minutes or so the traffic thinned out a bit. I was in the middle lane and I found myself smack dab behind a Semi with a load of  very large metal pipes. I began to day dream about how tragic it would be if his load of pipes came undone and the danger it would cause to us motorists. So I decided that I needed to get around and in front of him! As I got along side of the truck, I heard what sounded like a gun shot or small explosion! One of the trucks inside duals had blown out and pieces of the tire began flying everywhere! With me now beside him I was spared the brunt of the onslaught of the dangerous debris. I began to pray for those cars behind me and the driver of the truck as well that he could get his Semi to the side of the road safely amidst the now early evening traffic. When the Adrenaline rush began to subside within me, I began then to realize that my day dream was actually the still small voice of God urging me to to get around this truck. You might call it coincidence, luck, karma or fate. But I know it to be the voice of God. Thanks be to Him for His protection on that day and to the Holy Spirit causing me to listen. This week I urge you to listen for God's voice as you meander through the days ahead! To Go be the Glory!
        Your Brother in Christ, Pastor Rick Koch Dutchtown Church      

"Eat Your Veggies!"

   Every where in the media these days, we are constantly being barraged with someone trying to tell us how to eat! It all began with our moms, at least from my era, telling me that I could not leave the table until I had finished every Pea on my plate! Those pea's were good for me. But then we do not always do what is good for us or best for us, do we? 
    Another thing we are told that is good for us but often fail to do it, is reading our bibles and other devotional materials. I have three different devotional that I try to read each day. One is the well know "Upper Room", another is a devotional for youth and young adults called, "Devo". Third one is called "Power Up", a devotional put out by Sports Spectrum Magazine. Imagine that, me reading a daily devotional written by athletes about sports & life. Anyway, these devotionals are like the vitamins I take each day. They are good for me.
     God never ceases to amaze me at how there are days when I think that the devotional was written with me in mind. And then very special days like today when two of the writers use the same passage and share stories about a spiritual issue that I am struggling with right now! Praise God!
    So have you taken your daily spiritual vitamin today from God's Word? Or is that bible or devotional still sitting on your desk or another table nearby waiting for you to be blessed by the words and stories inside? What blessing could you be missing today, because you have not made time to read them?
Happy Reading, Pastor Rick Koch Dutchtown Church     

Back to Church Sunday

"Back To Church Sunday"

     Welcome to another installment of Pastor Rick's Blog! A time for me to share with you "Stuff" that God has placed within my heart.

     Did you know that Sunday, September 9th is National Back to Church Sunday? Well it is! A time for Christians everywhere to shake off those lazy, hazy days of summer and to make going to church on Sunday, a weekly event. Now I have to tell you that I had all of these grand ideas floating around in my head to share with you about the importance that Church can play in your life. Each one of them important, at least in my eyes. But then just as I was getting ready to begin typing out those reasons why you to should get back into the swing of of regular Church attendance once again, the Holy Spirit changed everything I was going to say. For you see there is one main reason for all of us to be in Church on Sunday mornings, and that is to praise and give thanks to Christ! This is the Heart of Worship, the reason or call to get back to Church.  

I have hopefully attached a Music Video by Matt Redman for you to watch and listen too. "The Heart of Worship". Take a little time now to listen to it and then finish reading. It will take 5 minutes.

Don't read yet until you have watched video! OK now read. This is the reason to Go Back to Church, Worship of God's Son, Jesus! I love the Church! I love the Church God has called me to Pastor. No, we are not perfect, no church is perfect. But we are trying our best to live out the message of Jesus Christ. And it is in worship, going to church where we continue to learn more and more each week about our Lord Jesus and how He wants us to live. So, go to the Church of your choice, but go! And then Bless Christ and He will in turn bless you! 

    I love you all! Pastor Rick Koch Dutchtown Church

   

Living Dangerously

       On my desk, on a sticky note I keep a list of possible topics that I would like to Blog about at some point. Some I get to, others get thrown into the trash bin. Today is one that has been on my heart for a long time now and is one that I just saw addressed in one of the daily devotions that I read. This devotional is called "Devo". A devotional written for teens, by teens. It is put out by the Upper Room folks. I share with you today the one from August 20th. Here are a few words from Gods Word to sort of set the stage,  Proverbs 17:28a says, "Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent."    
        When I finish writing this, I will post it to our Church web-site then to our Church Facebook page as well as my own Facebook page. I have a responsibility to God and my Church to make sure that the words that I put out there on the Internet are ones that will not come back to haunt me, words that will not embarrass my Church or make my Jesus shake His head in disbelief at what I just wrote. Words that are true, not gossip, words that build up and do not tear down. Words that do not spew anger or filth. I must "Think" before I post!
      Once or twice a day after I post stuff, whether it be on our web page or Facebook, I will read for a few minutes about what else is going on out there that people are talking about. There are times when what I read is helpful to me, a way of catching with peoples lives. Some good information. But then there are times as well when I cannot believe what we Christians are putting out there for all the world to see! It is like a tabloid you would get at a news stand, filled with stories that only tear down, embarrass and make our Lord Jesus sad & disappointed! There are times when I sigh deeply over what I read & see and I tell myself, "That's it! I am getting rid of Facebook!" But then it is not the problem, we are. I truly enjoy reading about the good things going on in your lives, how God has blessed you. I know that these can be tools to further the work of Christ! So I close with this, once again "Think before you Post". Remember that what you say on the Internet IS public!
        Love You All & Happy Posting!                     Pastor Rick Koch Dutchtown Church      

Back to School

    Where did the Summer go? Here it is mid-August and come the end of this week our kids are going back to school already. Maybe your kids are not yet, but they soon will be. As I ponder all of the work you parents have to do to get your kids ready for school, I also am thinking about how diligent the school teachers and school personnel have been in getting themselves and there classrooms ready for school. Our teachers today are given the responsibility to teach "Readin', Writin' & Rithmatic" but in many cases as well they have the responsibility to teach many kids about discipline and to show them that they are loved and cared for. Teachers for your time, compassion, patience and commitment to our children, you have my respect, love and my commitment to you to keep you in prayer. I would like to name each of the teachers and school employees that are apart of my Church in this Blog, but I would miss someone and then feel rotten about that! I also want to encourage you out there who are reading this to lift up in prayer and/or find ways to show your support for our teachers, whether they be public school, private school, local pre-schools or home school educators.
    In a similar way, I know that you Churches out there are getting your Sunday School rooms ready for those kids Christ has committed to your spiritual care. Pray for your kids and those Sunday School teachers as well. Encourage them in this vital ministry that they have accepted. And lastly, to you parents out there who are frantically getting your kids ready for that first day of School, know that your child's Christian education is just as important as their public education and even more so in many ways for it is in Sunday School that they learn about love, forgiveness, caring, but mostly about Christ! And while you are at it, why not stay for the Adult classes that are thee for you as well! There is a Church near you with it's doors open and it's arms open even wider ready to embrace you and your Children. Ready to share with you the stories and truths about Lord Jesus Christ!
   I love you all! Your Brother in Christ, Pastor Rick Koch - Dutchtown Church       

A Trip to the Emergency Room

       This past weekend my wife Beckie and I had our grandsons, Ty & Chase for three days while their parents treated themselves to a 10th anniversary present by vacationing in Peurto Rico. On my 10th Anniversary I think we went to Taco Bell for dinner! Congrats to my daughter Mandy and her husband Mike on this milestone!
       Anyway, it was now Sunday afternoon with less then an hour before we were to take the boys home when Chase decided to do a header off of the playground equipment at Sinnissippi Park, leaving a gash in the back of his head. Off we went to the emergency room at CGH. Now I have made numerous trips to many different Emergency rooms in my years as a Pastor, but it is different when you are on the other side of that fence! Yet our experience was one that I give God the glory for. From the moment we arrived, even though we were NOT the parents, NOR did we have any of the insurance stuff with us, we still got rushed right in. Thanks to texting we got all we needed from the kids. Anyway the visit only got better from there. All of the staff, the Nurses, CNA's, the Doctor and other's all treated us and Chase in a loving and timely manner. When it came time to leave Chase got a serenade of "Hope you get better soon Chase" from all of the staff. That's what happens when you are 4 and really cute!
      Earlier today while I was back in Sterling and reliving Sunday hospital visit, I  had felt a deep appreciation rush over me for that hospital staff. Before I knew it I had left "How Sweet It Is" bakery with a few dozen cookies as a "Thank You" for the Emergency room staff. They were very grateful for the goodies and the appreciation I showed. 
     I don't tell you this story to prop myself up, because there have been many other times in my life that I have failed to show the appreciation to people that God was calling me to give them! In Ephesians the Word of God calls us to "Build One Another Up", but rarely does this happen. Yet this is to be one of the key spiritual differences between the Children of God and those who do not know Christ! We are not simply called to say "Thank You", but we are called to build people up! To let them know of our appreciation for them and for what they have done for us. So, who is it that the Holy Spirit is calling you to show appreciation to?  I encourage you in the week ahead to find that someone who needs built up, and then to do just that!
        Go forth now and Be Christ's Church!
                 Your Brother in Christ, Pastor Rick Koch - Dutchtown Church                 

God Means Forever

       I just want to let you know up front that today's Blog comes right out of my Upper Room daily devotional for Monday, July 30th. I encourage you all to get a copy and read it! As a matter of fact I encourage you to find and read a Daily Devotional on a regular basis and if you can carve out the time read more the one! The simple truths that come from them, I find uplifting, challenging and invaluable! The passage used today is from Psalm 136, read it all. In it the phrase "His love endures forever" appears 26 times! A reminder to us that when God tells you that He will Love you forever, He means it! Unfortunately there have been people in my life and maybe in yours that told you that and then did not keep their promise! Boy that really hurts. That is why it is so vital for us to know that when God tells us that, He means it! As the devotional says, maybe you are one of those people out there right now who needs to hear this? God's Love endures forever! And you know what, this continues to hold true even when we screw up! God's love for you is the same today as it was yesterday and it will be the same come tomorrow! Now, allow God's love for you to refresh you and then go out and refresh someone else you know who needs to know this!
         Your Brother in Christ, Pastor Rick Koch             Dutchtown Church      

"Cold Calls"

      When you usually hear the term "Cold Calls" it often times refers to a salesman stopping by a business without an appointment trying to sell them their product. Or if you are a fan of the T.V. show "American Pickers", it refers to these two guys walking up to someones house and knocking on their door with the hope of looking around their place hoping to find Antiques or collectibles. But this phrase also is one that we Pastor's use as well when it comes to visiting someone for the first time and often times without an appointment. I find myself doing this quite often. Just last week I was asked to visit a lady in a local Nursing Home whose family expected her to die soon. As is my practice, I always pray ahead of time before a visit, but especially in cases like this when I am not certain of what I am walking into. When I walked into the room, there I found this lady whom was clinging to every breath. With her was one of her sons and his wife whom I also did not know. "How do I make a connection here Lord" was my silent prayer. After exchanging introductions there could have been an anxious time where I wondered what to say next. But then I saw the TV was on with a show I recognized from the Discovery channel.  I asked if it was on just to have a little noise in the room, which is often the case, or if they were fans of the show. They said they were waiting for the reruns to begin of "Deadlist Catch"! A show that I am a hugh fan of! From that point on the conversation flowed freely. This couple no longer saw me as a stranger intruding into a very private and difficult time of their lives, but instead as a Pastor who was also a real person. This never would have happened had I not been in prayer earlier to have God pave the way for this visit. This Cold Call turned into a moment of Ministry to this son and his wife as they hurt watching Mom take her last breathes. I pray for you this day as God may call upon you to make a Cold Call to a person in need. To a person who needs the love of Christ that only you can give. May the Holy Spirit grant you strength this week when He calls you to minister to someone you may not know!
    You are in my Prayers, Pastor Rick Koch         

Character Building

     I find myself watching the USA Channel at home alot. Mostly because I enjoy watching the re-runs of NCIS. This channel advertises their shows with the slogan, "Characters are Welcome". Meaning that they have many colorful and entertaining actors and actresses in their line-up of shows. I have found myself thinking about that word, Character a lot lately. And I am not talking about actors, but instead about the meaning of the word "Character" we find in the Word of God that Christ calls us to live out.
   Proverbs 31 speaks of what it means to be a women of noble character. In Romans, Paul tells us that Character produces hope and in I Corinthians we are told that "bad company corrupts good character". Character is one of those traits that we earn in life. It is also one of those traits that those we rub elbows with, give to us. People with Character seek to be mature, humble & honest people. People with Character are well respected by their peers and God. People with Character are quick to listen and slow to speak. People of Character are those that you and I want to be like. So the question for today is, "Are you a person striving always to be seen as such a person"? When the Father looks from heaven at you, does He proclaim, "This is my child in whom I am well pleased?" Now there is a goal to work towards!   
Love You all. Have a Blessed week! Pastor Rick Koch

A Million Dollar Rain

    The last two weeks have brought record breaking temperatures and high humidity to our area that we have not seen in many years. Often times we get a few days here and there of high temps and humidity that are oppressive, but then it breaks and we get those cool evenings where we can open up the windows at night and enjoy the evening air and give our air cconditioners a break. This present weather pattern has caused stress on our crops, not to mention the stress to our farmers! The heat we have had can sap ones energy in a matter of minutes. But, in the midst of these weeks we have had two rain showers in our area that our farmers commonly call "Million Dollar Rains". Rains which have not only quenched the thirst of our crops and gardens, but have as well eased the stress that these same farmers have been under as they have worried about the outcome of this Falls harvest. These rains have also brought a bit of cooler air and lower humidity. Maybe now I will not have to run at 5:00 a.m. now! We'll see.
      These past two weeks weather patter remind me of the oppressing chaos that ensues in our world today. Problems in our homes, our schools, our nation and the world at large have also dealt us several severe blows. In times like these we need to stay strong in our Faith in Christ. For God promises us even amidst these "Droughts of Life" to send the rain. In Deuteronomy chapter 28 God lays before the children of God all of the ways He wants to bless us if we stay faithful and obedient to Him. Verse 12 says this, "The Lord will open the heavens, the storehouse of His bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands".  This rain God speaks of is not simply that that falls from the sky, but even more so the Rain of His goodness into our lives when we are emotionally & spiritually in a drought! So call out to Christ when you face a time like this and He will send into your heart a "Million Dollar Rain".
       Love you all, Pastor Rick   

A Wedding Reflection

      This past Saturday night I had the joy of going to Megan Patterson & her new husband Scott's Wedding Reception. It was so good to be able to celebrate with them, their families and folks from our Church and the small communities they grew up in. Beckie & I enjoyed visiting with those at our table and many others as well. Throughout the evening the Pastoral side of me kicked in several times while I was people watching. On one occasion, as I watched many of the young adults as they enjoyed one another's company on the dance floor I sensed in thier demeaner a self confidence in themselves, in the educations that they had recieved and a abundance of energy that comes with youth! I miss that energy part! Then I pondered and prayed and hoped that each one of them would not only depend on themselves in thier youth but, have a Dependence upon God in thier lives as well. A dependence that is necessary as those who are married will rely upon God to daily strengthen thier marriages. A dependence upon God for those who are still searching for meaning to thier lives, looking to God as they seek out that special someone or perhaps are looking for some affirmation in the world where they mostly hear critisim.
      What about yourself? How much are you depending upon God and His direction in your life? Where are you looking for help? Why do we so often turn to God last when all of our resources have dried up? Questions I ask myself far way to many times in my life when I try and go it alone. When all the time God is calling out to me to look up and know that He is the most Dependable person you and I will ever find! Help is not far away and it comes in the person we know as Jesus!                                                                                                                                                                                                                

Love You All and more Importantly God Loves You as well! Pastor Rick Koch  Dutchtown Church

Giving up Control

       Whether or not you will be honest enough to say it, most of us like our routines. We like knowing what lies ahead of us in the day to come. We like to make plans and we like it even more when our plan comes together. I am no different then any of you in this area of my life. I like to have the feeling that I am somewhat in control, when the truth is that I have very little control over life's ups and downs, the changes that come our way, both good and the bad. But amidst our routines, chaos is often thrown into our lives. A severe illness to yourself or a loved one, a death in the family wreaks havoc, issues with your children or grandchildren upset the apple cart. Financial issues cause you to reasess your life, not to mention what these"flies in the ointment" do to your Spiritual lives. Where is God, why does He same so far away, my hope is waning, where is my Church family when I need them. We may ask all of the above and so much more when our lives seem like utter chaos now rules the roost. 
     Remember this: God still loves you and always will,  God has not moved away, instead in these times He pursues to draw closer to you. His hope is but a prayer away and and your Church family, they still love you and desire to care for you as well even more then you know and they are going thru the same struggles that you are! That's what makes them your best friends and helpmates in these times. So give up control, for we really never had it. Give it up and allow Christ to lead you, to empower you, to draw close to you through those folks, you and I call the Church.
      God Bless You in your quest to allow Him to take the reins of your life! Pastor Rick Koch     

A Father's Day Reflection

         With Father's Day now in our rear view mirrors, I want to share a few words of Thanksgiving that I hope and pray many of you can echo as well. Oh, I am thankful to my wife for allowing me to buy a new tackle box, (my other one got ate up by Raccoons while on vacation, but that's another story).  Thankful as a Father of two grown daughters and the ladies they have become And of course I am thankful to be a Grandfather as well to my Ty and Chase and my Emma and Drew. But as I reflect back on this Monday after Father's Day, I want to give God a special "Shout Out of Thanksgiving" for my two son-in-laws, Mike & Jeremy. I know that it's not called Father-in-law Day or Son-in-law Day, but God has brought into my life two wonderful young men that I am proud to have as son-in-laws. Too much of the time we in-laws give very little praise to our son-in-laws and daughter-in-laws. Too much of the time we in-laws spend way too much time "Dumping" on these people and not being thankful for them. With my guys I can talk about other things besides fishing and football, yes those get talked about a lot, but so do the important matters of life. So "Thank You Guys" for marrying my daughters who posses all of those wonderful traits passed down to them that my Beckie wishes I never had. Hey, take a moment out of your day sometime soon and express a word or two of gratitude to your son-in-laws or your daughter-in-laws. It will make everyone around  the family happier and create a stronger family as well. Oh, thank you Beckie for the new tackle box. Do you think it will help me catch more fish, I hope so!  Rick    

Anticipating God's Blessing

       It was last August of last year when the Dutchtown Executive Committee decided that we would have a balanced budget for 2012. A good decision, but a hard one. It was also at that time an idea, a dream or hope was birthed to have a fund raiser to fund some of those ministries that were cut from the budget that were dear to us, namely Camp Scholarships and Disaster Relief work. We decided to have a 5K Run/Walk and then began the prayers and plans to make this a reality. This Saturday we will hold our First ever John 3:16 Run/Walk. Your Witness commission and many others have put in many hours to make this happen. Thank you to all who have helped in any way. Also thank you to our local Sponcers have supported our efforts with their financial gifts. Soon it will be Race Day! So one last time, if you are available, I encourage you to help out that day as a volunteerr even if you are not signed up. Many hands are needed. As a matter of fact this coming Thursday at 6:45 after our last Training session @ 6:00 we ask that volunteers gather, if you can, so that we can walk thru together how we envision setting up on Saturday and how we see the morning going. We also ask that ALL volunteers be at Church then on Saturday at 7:45a.m. to begin setting up. The Race once again is at 9:00. Awards around 10:15 and then a massive clean-up effort. With a hope to be headed home by noon. Then on Sunday in worship we will have a ball park number of all the facts and figures that you want to know from the day. I look forward to our time together this coming Saturday and to seeing God Glorified thru it!      Love You all, Pastor Rick

Put Church Back Together

      I am a notorious list maker! Each day while working in the office here at church I always begin to make a "To Do" list for the next day. Now like any other busy Pastor that list changes often, sometimes hour by hour. Each time I finish a task on the list I cross thru it and go on the another one. This morning when I got to Church one of those items that I added to my list said this: "Put church back together". Now the reason I wrote it down was that yesterday we had a funeral here at Church and then I had to leave right after the meal for another funeral I had that afternoon. I did not have the time that day to clean up my mess in the altar area or my office. Not to mention getting the Foyer furniture and other items put back where they belong. This is why I wrote down, "Put Church back together". But later in the morning when I looked back at my "To Do" list this one jumped out at me, "Put church back together". Boy did my words startle me! What an awesome task this is. Shoot, the old nursery rhythm tells us that "not even all the kings horses and all the kings men could put Humpty together again". Who am I then to put the Church back together. You see, the Church universal , worldwide is in need of some major repair! We have lost our focus. We have made Church about what "I" want it to look like and that it needs to meet everyone of "MY" needs and be responsive to each and everyone of "MY" pet ministries and of course it needs has to agree with the way that "I" think on each and every theological issue under heaven! But our actual focus should be on Christ and He alone. We need to spend more time in His Word and less time in the newspaper or on Facebook. More time in worship of Him and less time making certain our every whim is met. If we were to focus more on Christ, He then would put His Church back together, just how He had always planned it would be. So let's let Jesus do His thing and then wait and see what His/Your Church will look like!
Love ya' All Pastor Rick Koch Dutchtown Church             

Tutoring Time

     A year or so ago I felt a call from the Holy Spirit to be involved in our school in an educational way. Now I have been a volunteer coach and Announcer for many sports for many years, so this call was different. I talked with the principle about it and she said that she would get back to me. I never heard back. But about 5 months ago a retired teacher asked me if I would like to help out with a Grandparents Tutoring program that she was going to have. I accepted. Three Wednesday afternoons a week elementary age kids read to me, I helped them with math and spelling and whatever was asked of me. It is now done for the year. As I reflect back on the time several of us spent with these kids, I ponder "The Fruit" of our work and  I see this. I am getting old! I had kids who I worked with whose parents went to school with my daughters! I saw how the kids, whom I did not previously know, warmed up to me after time. I was blessed to see these kids improve their skills. Fruit I did not see yet, but I know is to come because I am trusting in Christ, is how may my/our interactions with these kids, the relationships made, how will that grant me future opportunities to minister unto them and their families. But for now those seeds are planted. Where might God be calling you to plant a few seeds, water a few young plants, pull a few weeds when needed, so that Christ like fruit may one day appear?       

The Deck

     A few month's ago my wife Beckie gave me an ultimatum. Get the Deck power washed and sealed by  Mother's Day. You see my wife s a huge flower gardener as well as one who enjoys decorating our deck with flowers galore along with all of that other artsy stuff she has learned about from HGTV. So last Wednesday afternoon I borrowed from my friend Paul Skoog, his power washer. Now this was no ordinary power washer. This was Industrial grade! You dare not put your fingers in front of that spray, that is if you valued them. Man I was washing away crud I didn't know existed embedded in the grain of those wooden planks. It caused me to think about the Industrial Power Washer Christ must have had to use on me to make me like it says in Psalm 51:7"Wash me and I will be whiter then snow". Sometimes you and I build-up many layers of crud/sin in our lives that only can removed by this Guy, we know as Jesus, who was willing to die for us. And why? Because His love for us cannot be matched by anyone on this globe.
   O.K. now the Deck is clean, on to the next step. Come Friday afternoon I began to use my trusted Thompson's sealer to protect my deck from the elements. Two and one half hours on my knees with a roller. My 55 year old back and knees were barking at me! But it was done. Ephesians 4:30 tells us that you and I as well have been "Sealed by the Holy Spirit". That God not only cleansed us, but then sought to seal into our hearts all that good stuff he has passed down and that he did this by giving us the Holy Spirit!.
    So for those of you who have Decks or porches you enjoy spending time on and ones that you have put into a little elbow grease. Remember how our Father has done the same for you tthrough His Son Jesus and through the Holy Spirit. Now get outside and enjoy that deck this Summer!
Pastor Rick Koch Dutchtown Church          

Two or More

      A verse that has become very powerful unto me lately is Matthew 18:20, "Where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am with them." For most people who know me well, they know that I am a "Numbers" person. I promote heavily aattendance in worship and Sunday school and being apart of those other activities that the Church promotes. These are just a few of the areas people talk about when we ask ourselves about the health of a Church. Low numbers can have adverse effects. And when I look into public life the same holds true as well. I am beginning to see the ill effects of the lack of volunteers for most if not all of our volunteer organizations as well. But this verse is now constantly bouncing around in my head ( and that's a lot of bouncing seeing as my brain has shrunk with age) I am now seeing the wisdom and truth in this brief verse. I now attend a Bible study just for guys where our largest group has been five and many times just three. Great conversations can take place within this number. I meet regularly with a mentor having God Talks that are invaluable. This past Saturday I and one high school youth went on a service project 70 miles from home. A great experience. In years past I would have canceled out for the lack of numbers.
   Anyway, I will always be a strong proponent of Worship attendance and being accountable myself to those volunteer organizations that I am apart of. But I also value greatly these small intimate times where only a handful may gather, for I have seen what God can and will do in their midst! So the next time you are considering canceling something due to "Numbers", you might want to reconsider your decision! For who knows what blessing God might have waiting for you and the person you sit across from.
           May you have a Blessed and Joy filled week! Pastor Rick Koch Dutchtown

A Place to "Get Away To"

Yesterday in my message I used a phrase that went something like this. As Christians, with the Holy Spirit's guidance, we are to create an atmosphere within our Churches to make them places to "Get Away To" rather then places to "Get Away From".  I find myself pondering that statement this Monday morning. We live in a day and age where for MOST people, even for us who live within so-called small towns where everyone gos to church, going to Church on any given Sunday is low on their list of things to do with their weekend. This is a fact! So, we can sit here and say, "Oh woe is us" and continue to slowly fade away, or to put it more bluntly, die. Or you can ask yourselves as a church and as individuals, "What can I Do to help make my Church a place to Get Away To?" But simply asking that question is not enough. What are You going to do about it? It's time to quit the whining about what other churches have that you/we may not. About how "THEY" are taking people away. Believe me, there are plenty of people out there who need and want a good church home. The Church just needs to create that Holy Place, that healing place, that place where Hope is found, that place where everybody knows your name. Alright, that last statement dates me and my years of TV watching. So I ask you to ponder this statement as well and see what the Holy Spirit is asking you to do in making Christ's Church wherever you attend, one that people want to get away too.
Bless God this Week! Pastor Rick Koch Dutchtown  

Being at Peace

There is a verse in Romans 12 that I have tried to live out as best I can as a Christian and a Pastor. It is Romans 12:18, "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." Doing all I can do to live at peace with everyone around me as best as I can. This can be difficult my friends, but it is a calling that I have tried to fulfill. One place in my life that I have had to rest in this verse is when it comes to my relationship with my mom and step-dad, Phil. It has been "Rocky" at best ever since I got out of high school. As a matter of fact neither of my two brothers or my two step sisters have much of a relationship with them, if any at all. They had always looked to me to keep them informed about was going on in Missouri. Over the years I have spent considerable energy trying to not simply, "keep the peace", but to build a relationship with Mom & Phil. Some headway was made once in a while and then in a matter of moments it would vanish amidst harsh words thrown my way and then I would hear the familiar sound of a phone hung-up in anger. I bring this up to you all today for this weekend I was informed that my Mom has Alzheimer's. And has had for a while. My step-father has made it clear that I and my siblings are unwelcome to go and see our Mom. And I now must live in the pain of knowing that I will not ever have another conversation with my Mom.
      So I try and find a little solice in Romans, knowing that over the years I have invested my heart into trying to live at peace, yet today that seems a bit hollow to me as I now have no more opportunities to try again. I write this today out of my own need to do so, to begin anew the healing. But also for those of you who have strained relationships within your families and you are striving to work for peace. Keep at it, for you never know when you might have your last conversation with that loved one. Or like myself, what did I even say in that last conversation.
       Time now for me to move and to trust in God's healing and forgiveness. Pastor Rick Koch         

Courage for the Future

I love my daily devotional "The Upper Room"! Through the writer's who contribute to it I find myself blessed on a regular basis. If you are not using it, I highly recommend that you do.
Anyway on one that recently spoke to me and I believe speaks to many of you a well. The topic of having "Courage" as we face the uncertainty of tomorrow.
I am certain that most of you out there have at one time or another longed for the "Good ole' Days". Better times in your personal life that have been swept away by time or maybe more fruitful times as a church that keep you always looking back. It happens to us all, even our heroes in the Bible. Take Joshua for instance. He was given the job of following in Moses footsteps. WOW! Talk about big shoes to fill. I cannot imagine the pressure that Joshua felt. But here now the word of God from Joshua 1:2, "Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people get up, get ready, quit looking backwards and go and cross the Jordan river, into the land I have promised you." No eulogy to Moses, no listing of his conquests, only he is dead. And it is now your time Joshua to take these people from this time forward. Be strong and courageous, for I will be with you. And oh, by the way I will empower you Joshua just as I did Moses".
It is hard for us at times to move on, to consider that God has even better things awaiting us who are faithful unto Him. Therein lies the issue! The rub if you will. You see, the courage and strength you need to move forward is ONLY found in Christ! For those of you who get your courage and strength from God, you cannot fail!
So whoever your "Moses" was, cherish their memory, what they passed down to you, but now go courageously where no man has gone before. Do you like the little Star Trek blurb there? May our all powerful God empower you for whatever lies before you and may you encounter the Courage only He can grant. Love ya' all, Pastor Rick Koch Dutchtown

Intelligent Design

Time to stir the pot a little bit on this Monday morning. This past week my wife, Beckie and I took a few vacation days and we went into Chicago to see the sites. As she puts it, "we did all the red-neck stuff that people from the country come to Chicago to do". For those of you who live there or within it's proximity you can have that rat race and it's traffic! Anyway, one of the things on our Red-neck to do list was to go to the Field Museum. We had not been there for well over 10 years. It's one I need to go to more often, for there are certain exhibits we all need to see so that we can learn from our past. But the one exhibit we went through which caused the hair on the back of my neck to stand up the most, was the one on Evolution. Let me get this out right now, I am one who firmly believes in Intelligent Design or in other words, I believe in the Biblical Creation Story. As I walked through this exhibit with it's sleek videos and hands on activities for kids, I found myself praying and hoping that maybe these same parents would be teaching to there little ones the miracle of God's Creation as well, or at least expose them it it and let them decide. You see for me, even though I do not have all of the answers to Evolutionist, nor do they have for me, I believe in a God that can do anything! One of the problems that I see in many of today's Christians is that they/we/me often sometimes try and put God in a box, thus limiting what He can do. What a shame! You see our God is bigger then anything I or you can ever imagine. And His power is limitless! So let's start living our faith like we believe this. Or we can just wonder about in chaos, in this stew we call life, like our so-called cousins the salamanders! Hey, I'll bet those critters are good as fishing bait!
Love ya' all! Pastor Rick Koch Dutchtown Church

Calloused Christians

I have developed a number of callouses on feet over the past few years from the running I have done. Layer upon layer of hardened skin that has built up that has now kept me from getting as many blisters as I once would get. Callouses here are a good thing! But I have also noticed that from time to time I build up callouses that envelop my heart. No, not my physical heart, but my spiritual one. This happens when I become more and more like Thomas, always needing to see over and over again Christ moving in my life or in the life of the Church. While in the midst of one of these funks I had not to long ago, I found myself reading in John 4 about the story of a sick little boy, the son of a prominent Roman official. The man says to Christ, "Sir, please come before my little boy dies." Jesus then says back, "You may go, your son will live." The next part is what I find intriguing. The story simply say, the man took Jesus at His word. He did not need Christ to go to his home, no fancy prayer needed to be uttered. Why? Because this man, who we lead to believe may not be a follower of Christ, took Him at His word! What a simplistic faith! Yet that is what I yearn for and I hope you do as well. A faith that takes Jesus at His word. No need for pomp and circumstance, just Christs word. As you are now living in the aftermath of Easter and it's glory, continue to stand firmly on God's Word and let that be enough! Have a Joy Filled Week! Pastor Rick Koch Dutchtown

Recycling

Later today, this Maundy Thursday, I will take into our youngest daughter, Nicki's home a tub full of cans, cardboard and other items to be recycled. I don't have that service here in Milledgeville so I usually make this trip into her home in Sterling when I have other Church work to be done in that city.
On this particular Thursday as our Church is getting ready for it's Love Feast, our way of celebrating the Last Supper. I think to myself how Christ has taken this soul of mine and "Recycled" it several times over the years. How He has taken this sin stain heart and cleasend it, making it useful for His Kingdom. How He recycles this body, finding myself weary in what lifehas thrown my way and then I am infused with a shot of Holy Adrenaline that cause me to be revived in body, soul and mind. I stand amazed at how God takes what this world is ready to throw out into the trash and then He uses it to bring glory unto Him.
If you are sitting there today, wondering what good you are to anyone, pray unto Christ and then get ready to be recycled by our Savior and then see what good work He has ready for you!
May you have a Joy filled Holy Weekend!
Your brother in Christ, Pastor Rick Koch Dutchtown Church

Our Craving of Appreciation

Before I get to the topic at hand for this day, I first just want to thank God for Daily Devotionals and their writers! I find so much inspiration in these short & simple daily readings that bless my life and hopefully yours! I say this because today's Blog, as in several from the past, not to mention many sermons have their roots in the words from these inspirational writers.
In Matthew 26 we find Jesus giving out instructions to His disciples about the upcoming Passover meal He wants to spend with them in Jerusalem. His very first statement is this, "Go into the city to a certain man and tell him that The Teacher wants to have the Passover meal at his home". A Certain Man, does this guy not deserve to have his name given to us? For he is about to host one of the most famous dinners known to mankind! In many other stories about the ministry that Christ carries out, names of people are given. Why then is this man relegated to obscurity? Inquiring minds what to know!
Does it seem to you that at times you are"Anonymous" in the world's eyes? I know that Jesus knows who I am. Shoot, He evens knows the ever dwindling hairs on the top of my head! I don't know about you, but it feels good to me to every once in a while to be recognized for the work that I am doing. Do you crave that attention or public acknowledgement as well? Of course you do, that is if you are being honest with yourself! Yet, Christ calls us to serve Him, to serve our Church and our communities without always needing that public praise. Friends, I pray for you today, especially you anonymous ones. I pray as you serve faithfully that you remember that Christ does know your name and loves and cares for you deeply and that out there in that world where your are giving your best, you know that people appreciate you!
Go know and serve our Lord Jesus and let that be enough!
Your "Attention Craving" friend and Brother in Christ, Pastor Rick Koch

Holy Week

For those of you out there that claim Christ as your Lord and Savior, this coming Sunday marks the beginning of a very sacred time for us. We call it Holy Week. This Sunday in churches around the world the message will go about Christ's entry into Jerusalem or maybe you will hear about the Cross of Christ. That is where Dutchtown will be focusing. As we traverse through this week and we come to Thursday, otherwise known as Maundy Thursday by the Church. A variety of services will be held on that night centering around The Last Supper Jesus had with His disciples. We Brethren call it a Love Feast. At Love Feast embodies we share a simple meal together, we talk around the tables, we celebrate Communion together and we practice serving one another by washing feet, just as Christ did for His disciples on that night. Friday for us is called Good Friday, for on this day we give thanks to God for His one and only Son dying on the Cross for you and I. Milledgeville, like many other small towns will have a community service. Ours is at the United Methodist Church here in town. Then comes Sunday! Easter Sunday, the day we celebrate Christ's Resurrection from the tomb! A day of rejoicing in song and word. Well there it is, Holy Week in a nutshell.
But for most of the world around us this is just another week. Oh, our stores will be advertising to get you to buy new clothes, but those commercials will be filled with pictures of Spring time and Easter Bunnies, with no mention of Jesus coming back to life. You are the ones who will have to set this time apart as holy! To give God His due. So I invite you now to do just that. To commit yourself and your family to make these worship opportunities apart of your week. To let the world know that you are a follower of Christ and that you will show them this by how you live. A wise man once said, "As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord".
Have a blessed and joy filled Holy Week! Pastor Rick Koch Dutchtown

The Price we put on People

In the last few weeks I have been able to watch my two oldest grand kids, Ty & Emma, participate in basketball & soccer. What a joy it is for this grandpa, as it is for all grandpas and grandmas, to be able to watch our little ones as they seek to impress us & show off their shooting & passing skills. Ty & Emma are already learning that their worth to the team depends on just how well thy play the game. The more points they score the more appreciated they are by teammates, coaches and we as parents and grandparents. It's too bad we cannot simply find value in our children and grandchildren for them simply being them.
Just last night an old dear saint of the church passed away. She had been in the Nursing Home for several years and with each passing month her physical & mental health diminished with time. To our corporate world and to much of our Godless society her value was limited. What did she have too offer in a constructive way anymore? Shame on us! But who of you out there does not find your value in the way other people look at you, perceive you, respect you? When we allow our own self esteem to go on this roller coaster ride, we find ourselves craving appreciation so that we feel of value to others and on the other hand our self esteem is easily shot down by one cruel word from our boss or a so called friend.
But now listen to what Jesus says about our worth & value, "Look at the birds of the air; they do not reap or store away in barns and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. (Listen closely to this next part) Are YOU not much more VALUABLE then they?" Friends, our true value (and I'm not talking about the hardware store here) is found in the loving eyes of our Farther God. He values you and I enough to have given to us His only Son, Jesus, to die upon the cross for our mistakes and to raise us up with Him through the power of the Resurrection!
This Easter, remember that amidst this cruel world bent on beating you and your self-esteem down, forget what they say and know beyond a shadow of a doubt that Christ loves you with all of His heart just as you are!
May the Joy and Hope of Easter embolden you in your faith! Pastor Rick Koch Dutchtown

Polarizing People

Well the Peyton Manning saga has now come to an end and he is a Denver Bronco. And that meant of course getting rid of Tim Tebow, a person whom many sports writers and newscasters call "A Polarizing Figure". Do they call him this because his Quarterbacking style is so unorthodox, I think not. For there ae many good Signal callers out there today who do not fit into what is the proto-typical QB. Instead I believe they call him Polarizing because of his Christian faith. Mr. Tebow did not set out to purposefully ruffle the feathers of of every ESPN, CBS and NBC sportscaster alive. No, instead he chose only to truly live out his faith in Our/Your Messiah, Jesus Christ. He never asked Jesus to help him win a game, or to make someone else lose. No he only sought to give Him glory through the athletic gifts given to him. For this he is called "Polarizing", when in all truth it is the those whom wish we Christians would just live out our faith quietly, making no waves. Brothers and sisters, it is because we have for far to long not lived out our faith publicly that we now live a a world that fails to recognize Christ as God's Son.
When people around us, who know that we are Christians, do they see us in any different way from the rest of the world? Hear the words from First Peter 2:11 & 12: "Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in this world to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits." Aliens & Strangers to this world we are to be. Aliens & Strangers sounds to me like "Polarizing People". Not people who choose to be pain in the necks, but people who chose to live out their faith unapologetically. I know that I have a long way to go here, how about you?
Love you All, Pastor Rick Koch Dutchtown Church

Holding Hands

Years ago there used to be a sure fire way of telling if a couple were really in love. A way that all the world could see and know that that man and that woman cared for each other. What was that sign of affection, it was "Holding Hands". Strolling down the street together or while window shopping in a mall, you could tell those who were really in love by seeing that thier hands were clasped together as tight as can be. The world is different now and not a good different in my eyes! Now when I see young couples walking together, there hands are still clasped tight but this time around around a "Smart Phone" of some sort. It is like a new appendege that has grafted itself permenitly to there fingers. It is a new love affair of sorts that has spread throughout the land. And with it comes the ability to have multiple conversations at one time. Both male and female can be talking with oneanother, while at the same time texting someone else. The new word we have for that is "Multi-tasking'", but it used to be called rude! It happens everywhere! At ballgames no one can clap because they are holding their phone! In theaters and in Churches it is hard to shake hands when a phone is in it! Now do not get me wrong, I too enjoy some of this new technology. I even find some of it fun. Shoot this message you are getting today could not of happened if I had not embraced apart of our new electronic world. But there should be a few boundries. One I will set for myself today is this. If my phone rings or vibrates while I am visiting with you, it will just have to keep doing so! For in the world I grew up in doing such a thing would be rude to you if I answered it. For you are where God has called me at that moment and you deserve my full attention. I like this "Blog" thing and I also like e-mails. But I would much prefer to have personal comversations with you. This machine I peck on right now, nor my cell phone will never will never be my friend. They will never draw me closer to Christ. So I invite to "Clutch Fast" to God's Word and maybe even carry it around on occasion. For I have found that the wisdom in it far outweighs that of any 4G phone you will ever find! Love you all Pastor Rick Koch Dutchtown Church

Basketball Mania

For those of you who know me fairly well, you know that I enjoy my sports. Sports of all sorts! I am an avid St. Louis Cardinal & San Fransisco 49er fan with more Niner and Redbiird clothing items then a man my age deserves. I enjoy watching our Church youth participate in their athletic endeavors and I watch more then my fair share of ballgames on my TV. And now the NCAA Basketball tournement, well I will have my remote set-up so I can see four games at once. The other night though as I was watching yet another basketball game on the tube, there came streaming across my screen the on going saga of where quarter back Peyton Manning might need up playing this season. Beckie looked at me and said someting to the effect of wondering how ths story was getting so much coverage. I am not sure what I said back to her, but it has caused to to ponder the idol, or god I and many others have made sports into. I have more channels on my TV dedicated solely to sports then any grown man could ever watch. I have a Channel dedicated solely to helping me know how to fill out my Basketball brackets and another that keeps me posted on the Free agents out there in the NFL. Enough is enough!
What if you and I spent only 25% of the time we now spend talking sports, watching them on TV or reading about them in the paper and we gave that time to God? Time spent reading the Bible, in worship on Sunday, in prayer each day or in fellowship with other Christians? Now does this mean I am going to go "Cold Turkey" and give up one of my favorite pastimes? No, but the Holy Spirit is working on me about using more of that time I spend how to be a better Fantasy Football and to give that time to better get to know Jesus, the Son of God. To care a bit less about knowing each Cardinal pitcher and their era, but to care more about building a better relationship with my Savior Jesus. Anyway, a few ramblings from this sporstsminded Pastor who knows that Christ will Never frustrates me, unlike our beloved Illini Basketball team has this past season.
So, go and enjoy your sports, our youth on the fieled and court, but go forth as well and give God His the glory He deserves and get to know He and his boy better.
Love ya' All, Pastor Rick Koch Dutchtown Church