Christmas to Me.

 Greetings blog fans, 

I am sitting here at my desk after my prayer and devotional time thinking about the upcoming Christmas celebration.  Things are so much more different than I anticipated and yet, December 25th is still on the calendar despite what else is happening.

As I ponder what this Christmas is going to look like, I also look back to what it was like on the night it became reality.  There in Bethlehem, a young couple seeking refuge from the elements after an arduous journey to fulfill the demands of a census, cannot find shelter.  Everyplace was booked, no friends to call on despite family being from there.  Just two young people with a baby on the way in the night.

Could we put ourselves in Joseph's sandals for a moment.  He is worried about his bride and their child.  Yes, their child.  God sent an angel to make it clear to Joseph that he would have a role to play in rearing up this Christ-child.  Being a man of integrity(he DID take Mary as bride despite her situation), I feel like Joseph has the weight of the world on his shoulders.  Imagine what's going on in his head:  What will I do if the baby dies in birth?  How will I care for the both of them(Mary & Jesus) if I can't even put a roof over their heads?  

These are all thoughts I would be thinking.  Self doubt is a terrible sickness friends.  But I have good news for any of you who struggle with it!  God already has a plan in place for you.  Despite your weaknesses, failures or faults, God knows who He asked to do something and He empowers you to accomplish it.

Do you realize God has NEVER failed?  Ever!   He's not about to start when He calls you to do something for Him.  Please take hold of this valuable truth and enjoy Christmas!  In fact, apply it daily and 2021 may be the year of great breakthrough and victory for you!

Merry Christmas!

 What is and is to come...

Greetings blog enthusiasts and truth seekers alike.

My name is Brad Sloan and I am the pastor of Dahlgren Baptist Church in the lovely little village of Dahlgren Illinois. I'm certain unless you are local, you've probably never heard of Dahlgren but I hope you will discover that in this little village, there is an old historic Baptist church that is striving to preach and teach the Gospel to all ages in a society that needs to know God's truth before the return of His Son to redeem His bride.

This blog will be my attempt to encourage and challenge you from time to time with the thoughts, experiences and ideas God gives me.  I'm no theologian but I am a child of God, saved by grace through faith.  I'm not perfect and I'm not your judge.  I am a signpost, trying to point people in the Way of truth, the Only Way.  You may have heard the argument "all roads lead to God" but if you want God's word on it, you better re-read John 14:6 where Jesus declares that He is the Way, the truth and the life and no man comes to the father except by Him.  

I believe the Bible, I take every word in context and attempt to apply it's precepts to my own life and the lives of my church members.  There is a tendency to try and "warp" the Gospel to make it more appealing but that's like covering liver with mustard to make it taste good.  It just doesn't work!  It's time these new generations turn back to trusting God's Word and that means not watering it down but serving it up hot and fresh every week.  We do this at DBC online now due to Covid restrictions so if you'd like to sample a sermon, check us out on FB and coming soon, YouTube.

Thank you for checking out this introductory blog, I will do my best to keep your readership and gain your trust.

For His Glory Alone,

Brad