This coming Sunday, July 5, 2020 we will have our Independence Day – Picnic theme potluck. I got the Angus burgers and buns from Costco and we will heat up the George Foreman to cook them after we fellowship together … Continue reading →
Our midweek Bible Study on Psalms is today at 3:30 PM and we should be out by 5:00 PM. This coming Sunday, July 5, will be our First Sunday service with a brief Prophecy Update, communion, and a July 4th … Continue reading →
Tomorrow at CrossHope Chapel we will enjoy fellowship, prayer for each other, and I am planning on opening up the Word to Matthew 1:1-25. We’ll discuss the genealogy of Jesus, the name of Jesus, and God’s choice of Joseph as … Continue reading →
I had forgotten to mention that I will be at the Chapel tomorrow for our midweek Bible study at 3:30 PM. We should be out by 5:00 PM. We are going through the Psalms and enjoying a pause in our … Continue reading →
This coming Sunday we will have a breakfast potluck so if you want to bring something think breakfast type food, hot or cold, casserole or pastry, whatever. This is kind of an odd potluck timing because of our cancellation on … Continue reading →
In case you missed yesterday at CrossHope Chapel I want to share with you what we covered. We didn’t get into the new series introduction of “Matthew: The Kingdom of Heaven” but instead invested a little more time in prayer … Continue reading →
This coming Sunday we will have an introduction of sorts to our new teaching series on the book of Matthew. I say “of sorts” because I want to address some of the issues in society today and how it is … Continue reading →
It appears that by consensus and the current Tropical Storm Warning of Cristobal it will be best to cancel our Sunday morning gathering. If the forecast holds up and the storm continues as expected we will be dealing with strong … Continue reading →
We are under a Tropical Storm Warning for Saturday and Sunday and at the moment it’s looking like our area is expected to get 6″ to 12″ of rain Sunday morning with winds as high as 50 mph. My family … Continue reading →
I want to make some general statements regarding the Law of Moses, in hopes that I can shed some biblical light on the place of the law in our Christian walk. When the Bible makes mention of “the law” it … Continue reading →
I just want to say that yesterday at CrossHope Chapel was a big blessing. It was just good to be with you all again at the Chapel in fellowship. It also struck me that although we have been absent from … Continue reading →
See you Sunday, if you are well and able. We’ll enjoy a great time of fellowship together, simple worship together as we pray, meditate on God’s promises, and share about God’s leading in our lives during these last 10 weeks … Continue reading →
This coming Sunday, May 31, 2020, 10:00 AM will be a time of fellowship in the Lordship of Jesus Christ at CrossHope Chapel. If you are well and if you are able, please come and enjoy simple worship together as … Continue reading →
By way of reminder from previous emails, we are back together next Sunday, May 31, 2020, which is Pentecost Sunday. I am looking forward to being with you all then and am praying for you all, too!
Continue reading →I was reminded this morning by a friend still living in my home town of Rossford, Ohio that it was 40 years ago today that we graduated from High School in the class of 1980. After the shock wore off … Continue reading →
There is a promise for every situation and circumstance of life. The Bible is one big promise of God’s response to the great conflict between Christ and Satan. Every word from Genesis to Revelation can be understood in the light … Continue reading →
I am sorry to have canceled our gathering for tomorrow, but it seemed the best option now that our fellowship dealing with C-19 positive results or waiting for C-19 test results or those who are as I am, not C-19 … Continue reading →
The restrictions from the state are loosening this week and being lifted with some suggestions regarding precautions about the C-19 spread. Because of this, I have been looking toward this coming Sunday, May 17, as the current tentative plan to … Continue reading →
I want to wish you a Happy Mother’s Day! There is a verse in 1 Timothy 5:10 where Paul is talking to Timothy about caring for the widows and he makes a secondary comment that has always intrigued me. Paul’s … Continue reading →
Updated: Tuesday, May 12, 2020 Updates related to our Sunday gatherings: Suspension of Gatherings | Suspension of Gathers II | Sunday, May 17, 2020 | Opening the Chapel News & Notes Emails: Coronavirus: Week One at CrossHope Chapel | Coronavirus and Psalm 91 | 2 Timothy 1:7 and … Continue reading →
Here is a picture from our online church. It’s blank. It’s blank because we are the church and we could care less about one-way digital dissemination of information called “church.” Instead, we’ve prayed for each other, we called, texted, and … Continue reading →
I had hoped that May 1st would end the COVID-19 shutdown and this Sunday would be the day we would be able to resume gathering again at the Chapel as a church in fellowship and worship. However, as you likely … Continue reading →
Here at CrossHope Chapel we do not have an official sign on the dotted line type of local membership. You can’t sign anything that says you want to be a member of CrossHope Chapel or you can’t sign any commitment … Continue reading →
I really can’t wait til we can all get back together because there has been a thousand times during this coronavirus pandemic that I thought I want to talk about a headlines or people’s statements or whatever issue that we … Continue reading →
Sunday – Resurrection Day Jesus rises from the dead (before dawn) and makes five appearances on the day of His rising: To Mary Magdalene [given a message to the disciples] To the other women come to the tomb [intending to … Continue reading →
Saturday – Sabbath Day Jesus is in the tomb Jews request of Pilate to set guard at tomb and seal the tomb of Jesus Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there Disciples hiding behind closed doors in fear Matthew 27:66 … Continue reading →
Friday – Trials & Death of Jesus First trial, before Annas [nighttime hours]; Annas is looking for an accusation, biding time till Sanhedrin is gathered at High Priestly villa Second [and primary] trial before Sanhedrin, Jesus is condemned, misused Third trial, … Continue reading →
Thursday – Passover Meal Peter and John sent to make preparation for Passover meal After sunset, eats meal with the twelve; washes disciples feet Judas departs from Jesus and the twelve The Lord’s Supper instituted as Passover To the Garden … Continue reading →
We are in an in-between period, not just because of COVID-19 but because of our Bible teaching series at CrossHope Chapel. In case you missed it we have finished our Sunday study through the book of Genesis, after I concluded … Continue reading →
These next few days I am going to be sending out a “Today in Passion Week” email. Baring any difficulty with the email system, I am planning on sending out four brief emails on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Resurrection Sunday … Continue reading →
I thought I would share two items of family related news that I otherwise would have enjoyed sharing with you in person at the Chapel…where we use to gather in fellowship…in the good old days…. First, let me share some … Continue reading →
It may not be the first Bible promise you have thought of when dealing with your coronavirus anxiety, but it is very applicable. Hebrews 13:8 states, “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” Consider this encouraging … Continue reading →
The book of Revelation spells out some details of the end time events that the Old Testament prophets proclaimed. What is interesting to me — in light of our current coronavirus crises —is the use of the phrase “shortly come … Continue reading →
I was disappointed to hear of the announced extension of the government guidelines regarding social distancing and gathering restrictions through April 30, 2020. Not because I don’t want us all safe and healthy, but because I am longing to get … Continue reading →
I have posted a 13 minute video at my YouTube channel where I covered the account of Jacob after getting his birthright from Esau. On the video at https://youtu.be/A2fCsnJo6SU I also talk about my tentative plan to cover the account … Continue reading →
I want to share with you a reason to have hope about our future. Let me first give you a little back story… When Governor Ivey made the decision yesterday that Alabama Public Schools would not be going back to … Continue reading →
We are now about two weeks into this coronavirus crises and sometimes fear can creep back into our hearts, especially as there is still no end is in sight. The first week reminded me of a good Ohio winter snow … Continue reading →
I was glad to hear our President say that he is aiming to see life back to normal and have restrictions lifted by Easter day. Easter is April 12 and I am praying for an Easter resurrection, or should I … Continue reading →
In the video I posted on Sunday, March 22, 2020, titled 7 Bible Promises for Prayer, I shared about God’s promises that are good to use in our prayers, and here I wish to share with you 15 Bible promises … Continue reading →
On Sunday morning at 10:00 AM I should have a video posted with a simple message of encouragement regarding 7 Bible Promises for Prayer. Once the video is posted it will be available anytime thereafter at my YouTube channel (stevedurkac) … Continue reading →
If someone was keeping track, the number one most used phrase by pastors on Facebook this week has got be “online service.” I applaud these pastors for thinking of their flock, however it makes me think, we can’t do “online service” … Continue reading →
You are familiar with the story of David and Goliath and today I want to point out the little known similarity to that account and our current coronovirus pandemic. It begins in 1 Samuel 17:11 where the Scriptures records that … Continue reading →
The Apostle Paul wrote these words to a fearful Timothy, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7). I say fearful because Timothy was … Continue reading →
While I have been resistant to suspending our gatherings, it has occurred to me that it may be prudent to take “The President’s Coronavirus Guidelines for America — 15 Days to Slow the Spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19)” at its word … Continue reading →
I know it’s not week one for the coronovirus, in fact I’ve read a lot of reports that this coronovirus was being detected in American physician offices as early as last February 2019. It’s kind of week one for us … Continue reading →
Dear Friend, Our President has declared tomorrow, Sunday, March 15, to be a National Day of Prayer. He reminded the entire country that throughout its history, the United States has looked to God for strength and protection in times like … Continue reading →
As some of you may know, I am not on my way to Disney World as planned, because of the coronavirus craze. The craze that is sweeping the nation. At least the productive part of the nation that produces things … Continue reading →
I am seeing on social media, American pastor’s who are talking about canceling Sunday church services because of their fear of subjecting their congregations to the spread of the coronavirus (my initial reaction has been, get off social media and … Continue reading →
The Apostle Paul in Philippians 4:6 admonishes us to not be fearful about anything but to pray about everything. That includes the coronavirus. We ought to be praying that it will cease spreading, that it won’t befall us or our … Continue reading →
The account of Revelation 13 tells of an economical global enforcement that will punish those who refuse to acknowledge or employ “the mark of the beast” into their lives. Revelation 13:17 states, “no man might buy or sell, save he … Continue reading →
This morning during our Bible teaching we discussed the ways that the biblical account of Isaac points to the fulfillment of the Messiah. The birth of both was a promise from God. The birth of Isaac was delayed to his … Continue reading →
Some upcoming dates to know about… Sunday, February 16, 2020 we will have a breakfast potluck before our gathering. Sunday, February 23, 2020 I will be in Toledo, Ohio. J.P. has graciously agreed to step in that morning at the … Continue reading →
Below is an open letter from Pastor John Collins of Harvest Christian Fellowship in California. He gives a report and an honest perspective on why evangelical Christians support President Trump. By John Collins, Harvest Christian Fellowship Parent, Pastor, … Continue reading →
Yesterday our President took a stand for America in the Middle East by approving an airstrike that killed an Iranian general responsible for terror. Just a few minutes ago, President Trump released this statement: “General Qassem Soleimani has killed or … Continue reading →
Our email list system has not been cooperating lately, but I am hoping I’ve identified the problem and fixed it. If you received this email, I may have fixed it. Below are two previous emails that you may not have … Continue reading →
“Thanks so much for the invite to the Christmas Party and Dinner. The kids had a ball and you guys never fail to show us love and make us feel like family. We love and appreciate you guys and are … Continue reading →
You’ve likely already read that I am a former Seventh-day Adventist minister with the Carolina Conference and Gulf States Conference, but you may be interested in knowing that I host a community group for those with similar backgrounds, like formers, … Continue reading →
You may or may not be aware of it, but there is a belief being promoted among some who claim the name of Christian, that Matthew 6:33 means you can not be a nationalist. Nationalism is simply a description of … Continue reading →
I had forgotten to talk about the Alabama Baptist Children’s Home last Sunday, but I did go to their Open House tour Sunday afternoon with Steph and Payton. They also have a home for single mothers and their children but … Continue reading →
I want to share with you three verses on the topic of facing trials, along with some brief pastoral commentary… 1 Peter 4:12-13 “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, … Continue reading →
As we looked at Genesis 7 and 8 this morning, I had two things regarding the historical evidences related to Noah’s Ark that I wanted to share with you but we simply ran out of time, so I will share … Continue reading →
While most of us American Baby Boomers have been focused on the fake news coming out of a basement in the Capital Building of the House of Representatives, a remarkable cultural change is influencing the younger generation. Kanye West, a … Continue reading →
Yesterday morning I was reading a book titled “Preparation for the End Time” by Norman Gulley, a theologian that I had taken course work under, during my days in school. He was making the point that we have to keep … Continue reading →
The marque sign outside of a church in Tuscaloosa, Alabama read: The End is Near!! Just Kidding We Don’t Know. That signed humored me because in my understanding of Christianity, the only way a church would not know that the … Continue reading →
J.P. sent me a link to Amir Tsarfati’s Middle East Update video and I want to share that with you. The YouTube link is at https://youtu.be/csKQg2VKAe0. The video is an hour long, but the the first 30 minutes is Amir … Continue reading →
Here are some things to consider on unclean foods… The Christian life is one of living by faith, and sometimes being obedient by faith is harder than being obedient by works (or law) because we feel accomplished by a behavior but … Continue reading →
When I was baptized in 1981 as a new Protestant follower of Jesus Christ, the pastor who baptized me suggested that I pick a “life verse” and he would read it to the church as we stood in the baptistery. … Continue reading →
Americans tend to think of themselves as independent, being free thinkers who choose to exercise their own political decisions. When we side with one political view over the other we generally find ourselves accused of not being independent and not … Continue reading →
This morning at CrossHope Chapel as we looked at Genesis 3, I had mentioned that I didn’t cover something that I had noted to bring out in our study discussion, and that was 10 effects of sin on humanity specifically … Continue reading →
My Dad, Louis S. Durkac, died this morning, September 4, 2019. He was 91 years old and the adopted father of 5 adopted children, and he himself was adopted. He died just 2 days shy of his 67th wedding anniversary … Continue reading →
This morning was a great time together in prayer, worship, and God’s Word. I enjoy every week when we gather together, but this morning was just a sweet time of fellowship. There was a song that came to my mind … Continue reading →
Last Sunday at CrossHope Chapel we looked at Genesis 3:1-8 and the account of Satan approaching Eve, but not Adam. We talked about the probability that Satan had studied these new creatures, man and women, and apparently he saw reason … Continue reading →
I walk by faith and not by the world (2 Corinthians 5:7), I walk by faith because I have been adopted by God (John 1:12), I walk by faith because He has given me a new heart (Ezekiel 36:26), … Continue reading →
This morning as I was enjoying my hotel breakfast waffle I found myself sitting in front of a TV and forced to endure its fake news. What I witnessed was an interview with the El Paso mayor and a CBS … Continue reading →
In my last post, Days of Creation, I addressed the contextual evidence for literal 24-hour days of Creation. In this post I want to address a theory about “Creation Time” rendering of the days of Creation in Genesis 1. I … Continue reading →
Sunday as we wrapped up Genesis 1, I found myself out of time to talk more about the literal days of Creation, but below I have listed out 7 things that I believe need to be considered about the literal … Continue reading →
When we look at the Creation account in Genesis 1 we find nine times that the phrase “God said” is used to describe the creation process. You will also see that after the record declares that “God said” to whatever … Continue reading →
It is not for no reason that the Bible refers to the return of Jesus Christ as the blessed hope. Titus 2:13 says that believers are “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and … Continue reading →
As an introduction to the armor of God in Ephesians 6, the Apostle Paul says, “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11; ESV). Whether you … Continue reading →
Last week Amir Tsarfati, whom you know from Jan Markell’s Prophecy Conference, got a lot of blow back on a teaching he did about recognizing the preincarnate Jesus in the Old Testament. In the video teaching, Amir mentioned Michael the … Continue reading →
I was amused by something I heard on a radio newscast today. A politician commenting negatively about the many states passing heartbeat bills, referred to it as being “a cluster of fetal pulsation.” A cluster of fetal pulsation? We should … Continue reading →
Whatever the trial, hardship, or fear of persecution as our world rushes headlong into these last days, don’t forget that our Lord has promised to be with you. The final words recorded by Jesus in the gospel of Matthew are … Continue reading →
War was first known in Heaven, not because it is holy, but because sin is so unholy. Revelation 12:7 says “And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his … Continue reading →
War was first known in Heaven, not because it is holy, but because sin is so unholy. Revelation 12:7 says “And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his … Continue reading →
Hyphens are used to join two words that create a compound word with a two part meaning. We could say that I am an Italian-American. I don’t say that because I feel like being American has a great enough significance … Continue reading →
Many years ago I officiated a wedding for a couple at a beautiful home within a gated community along the Emerald Coast of Northwest Florida. When I arrived at the house the groom warmly greeted me and we walked inside … Continue reading →
We find the concept of the Seal of God in the book of Ephesians and in Revelation. There is a definite connection between the two books on the Seal of God. Let’s beginning by looking at Ephesians 4:30 where Paul … Continue reading →
This past Sunday as we were discussing the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, we had a brief exchange on the possibility of a Wednesday crucifixion rather than a Friday crucifixion. I had mentioned that by the common literacy usage of … Continue reading →
Today at CrossHope Chapel we opened to Ephesians 4:17-32 and in case you missed it, here are some notes… The Apostle Paul uses the metaphor “walk” as a way to express how we live our lives. Walk is a descriptive word … Continue reading →
In recent months voices have been raised in American Christendom criticizing the pre-trib position regarding our Lord’s return. (Perhaps church leaders are finally getting tired of arguing about Calvinism.) If you ask me if I am pre-trib or post-trib, I … Continue reading →
Last Sunday I mentioned that I would send out the YouTube link to the flash mob gospel singing with Hezekiah Walker and the song “Every Praise is to Our God.” JP originally sent it to me and it is a … Continue reading →
Mornings in our home are usually filled with the sounds from a Christian radio station. This morning a caller asked one of the disc jockey’s “What is the reason for Ash Wednesday?” The disc jockey said something to the jest … Continue reading →
I want to share with you a video that James had shared with me. It is an hour long but a gentleman retraces the steps of the Exodus and it is just fascinating! If you can’t see the video below, … Continue reading →
Dear Church Friend in Mobile, Alabama, Have you ever invited the guy you work with or the lady at that office or the couple in your neighborhood to attend your church but they just haven’t? Maybe you have great Bible … Continue reading →
In the morning, thousands of people will wake up and get ready to attend a church of their choice. Some will put on their best clothing, some will happily re-wear something from the day before, and some will be more … Continue reading →
Last Sunday we opened to Ephesians 2 but surprise surprise we only got through the first 3 verses. Here’s a recap if you recall and an update if you missed… In Ephesians 2:1-3 we find the Spirit of God convicting … Continue reading →
Recently, the American public has been shocked and sadden by New York and Virginia’s plunge into creating a legal right to kill babies at birth. We’ve been disgusted with our own National government’s funding of the killing of babies through … Continue reading →
The early followers of Jesus, who faced trials, persecution, and uncertainty about their future, took heart encouraging one another with an Aramaic greeting, “Maranatha!“ Maranatha means “the Lord is coming!” or “come, Lord Jesus” as in Revelation 22:20 “Surely I … Continue reading →
Well, let me say the title of this post should more accurately be “Why Clemson Won – Possibly, Theologically Thinking.” My thought is that Coach Dabo Swinney of the championship Clemson college football team did such a powerful job at … Continue reading →
In 2019 my word is FOCUS. Last year my word was STEADFAST and it helped keep me on course by reminding me to simply remain steadfast at teaching the Word and praying and being present as our church fellowship progressed … Continue reading →
