by Erika VanHaitsma | Sep 19, 2019 | Sunday Morning Thoughts
Being a parent is the hardest thing I have ever done. I have been incredibly blessed and I am so thankful but it is hard. And part of what makes it hard, is that kids don’t understand or appreciate all that goes into raising them. I didn’t when it was my parents...
by Erika VanHaitsma | Sep 12, 2019 | Sunday Morning Thoughts
Jesus Christ. We say it so often, so casually, so easily. Do we even know what that means? Christ is the Greek translation of the Hebrew word Mashiach which means Messiah. Actually a better way to say it would be Jesus the Christ or Jesus the Messiah. It’s a...
by Erika VanHaitsma | Aug 29, 2019 | Sunday Morning Thoughts
Christ our Cornerstone. A cornerstone was originally meant as a stone that was foundational or pivotal for holding up a corner or two walls of a building. Without the cornerstone at least part of the building if not the whole thing would crumble. Psalm 118:22 states...
by Erika VanHaitsma | Aug 15, 2019 | Sunday Morning Thoughts
Do you know the phrase “Promised Land” is nowhere in Scripture? I understand where it comes from but that phrase itself isn’t Biblical. Yes, I do believe the land of Israel still belongs to the Jewish people. But the promise God gave to Israel so long ago was not as...
by Erika VanHaitsma | Aug 8, 2019 | Sunday Morning Thoughts
When you think of salvation, what do you think?Probably the cross, Jesus, sins, darkness, sacrifices…Well, this morning I’d like to give you another picture to add to your repertoire. Salvation is so deep, so big and so amazing that the Bible actually...
by Erika VanHaitsma | Jul 25, 2019 | Sunday Morning Thoughts
Sometimes I am overwhelmed at the love I feel for my own children. Sometimes it just hurts I love them so much. I can remember after my first child was born, I would look at my daughter and I couldn’t picture loving anyone else like I loved her. Every part of her was...
by Erika VanHaitsma | Jul 4, 2019 | Parenting, References
I need to publically acknowledge a lie I have believed for a very long time. And I’m guessing I’m not the only one who’s struggled with this lie. It has caused great anxiety, frustration, and discontentment in my life, especially over the last few years. So much time...
by Erika VanHaitsma | Jun 27, 2019 | Sunday Morning Thoughts
Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a pastor/theologian in Nazi Germany. Unlike many of his fellow pastors during this incredibly difficult time, Bonhoeffer stayed true to the Gospel of God and it eventually cost him his life. But before his death, he spent 2 years in prisons and...
by Erika VanHaitsma | Jun 6, 2019 | Sunday Morning Thoughts
Twice in the book of Revelation it is acknowledged that one day the biggest multicultural choir there ever will be will perform. Standing before the throne of God, with the brilliance of the heavenly stars for a light, and the universe as the backdrop, this choir will...
by Erika VanHaitsma | May 30, 2019 | Sunday Morning Thoughts
One morning I was reading the Bible to my 6 year old. It was a very exciting part. We were reading about Pharaoh and God battling it out over who would be Master of the Israelites. (disclaimer, I absolutely LOVE that story. It’s got to be one of my favorites. I...
