Craig Daily Press / Faith

Hayden church group preparing for April mission trip to Joplin, Mo.

One of the worst tornados in American history ripped apart the small Midwestern town of Joplin, Mo., in May 2011. Laura Corriveau, a radiologist and member of Hayden Congregational Church, was sent to Joplin in the aftermath as part of a government task force. Her job was to X-Ray and identify bodies and body parts. News of the tornado’s destruction resonated with Corriveau and other church congregation members. “As soon as I heard that, it just spoke to our hearts,” HCC Pastor Janet Babish said. “I knew that as soon as there was a mission trip available, we would organize something to send people down there.”

Pastor Karen Gibson: Friendship, love and self-sufficiency

I had just finished sending an email asking someone for forgiveness. The reason I had to ask for forgiveness was because of my weakness in thinking I don’t need help. Why is it we become so independent and prideful that we exclude others from our lives, and would rather live in this world by ourselves? It’s almost like we don’t like to share. We don’t want to share the recognition, joy, or blessing of whatever God has given us with anyone else. As children we were all taught to learn and develop independence. Dressing ourselves, feeding ourselves, walking, and tying our shoes were some of the activities we were taught to do.

Pastor Len Browning: Evidence of grace

The church at Antioch in Syria, 300 miles north of Jerusalem, was among the first Christian churches established outside of the Jerusalem area and one of the first to have Gentile convert members. The gospel reached Antioch in the dispersion of Jesus’ disciples due to their persecution in Jerusalem. There are two interesting statements made about this church found in Acts 11. First, we are told that when Barnabas, the Apostle, visited this church he witnessed, or saw the evidence of, the grace of God. The “grace of God” is the undeserved favor of God and therefore unseen, similar to love or hate. How can anyone “see” the grace of God?

My confession (and hopeful repentance) of privilege

In the fall, I went back to my college alma mater for the first time in eight years. When I returned I was surprised about how God spoke to me during that trip, and it’s an important lesson I’d like share. The reason I returned to my school was my cross country and track coach, the coach there for 27 years, officially “retired” in the fall. But, unofficially and off-the-record, he was asked to step down. I was extremely upset and disappointed in how the situation was handled by the administration.

Never stop looking for your miracle

With the many hardships happening around us, I thought it would be nice to share a story about Shawn, a 16-year-old young man who was diagnosed with leukemia, and his miracle. I pray it will bless you and allow you to see there are still miracles happening today. This occurred during my ministry in Arizona. With excitement in the air, it was time to load our suitcase into the limousine and head to the airport. Shawn, Maggie, Chris and myself were about to experience how God answers prayer.

Kate Grobe: The lasting gift of a difficult decision

I’ve often been asked what I do at Yampa Valley Pregnancy Center. My volunteers and I get to meet people and help during difficult times. We get to hear life stories and get to know people who come to us. It’s that process of getting to know people and hearing so many stories that can be challenging and yet rewarding.

Craig teen writes, directs church Christmas play

Grace. The word is an important part of any Christian church, and it’s an element of faith Janna Thompson wants people to associate with the holiday season. “It’s the greatest gift, better than any Christmas present,” Thompson said. But, rather than telling people about the importance of God’s grace, she’ll be showing them. Thompson is the writer and director of “We Three Nails,” a Christmas play set to debut at 6 p.m. Sunday at The Journey at First Baptist Church, 1150 W. Ninth St.

Pastor Tim Douglas: It’s Christmas, but there’s no reason to keep these secrets

Christmas is a time when families gather and enjoy time catching up on what’s been happening in their lives. Of course, there is also the giving and receiving of gifts from family, friends, and co-workers. Christmas also is a time for keeping secrets. We’ve learned in our family that some can keep a secret and some find it very difficult. My teenage daughter will never be a spy for the government. I think I figured out why she has such difficulty keeping a secret — it’s because she doesn’t want a secret kept from her. In today’s column, I want to share about two secrets that should never be kept.

Tony Bohrer: You’re his masterpiece

Michelangelo’s masterpiece, David, is enshrined at the Galleria dell’Accademia in Florence, Italy. Thousands of tourists wait for hours every day to get a glimpse. But, many of them hardly notice the series of unfinished sculptures that line the corridor on the way to David. Like petrified prisoners, their forms are identifiable — a hand here, a torso there, a protruding leg or part of a head. The statues were intended to adorn the tomb of Pope Julius II, but they are not finished. It’s almost as if these sculptures are trying to break free and become what they were intended to be, but they are stuck in stone. Michelangelo called them “captives.” They are captives precisely because they did not receive enough “chiseling” from the master.

The Rev. Michael Rapp: Being secular is easy …

Tim Tebow gets a lot of press for talking about Jesus. Some say he’s the hero of Christian witness professional sports has been missing, some say it’s all fake and he’s just stirring up his own celebrity in a niche market, and some say he should be censored because it’s all annoying at best, if not downright offensive to shamelessly promote religion in the public square. “Don’t be fooled by good sports or a cheerful personality… he’s that guy,” dissenters say. He is that guy.

Pat Jones: Prayer — Heartfelt conversations with God

I attended a Love INC conference near Chicago. It’s a beautiful area and the people I met are so nice. Our Love INC national is restructuring to be more “grassroots” and to provide leadership and mentoring to affiliates such as ours by having a strong, well-established Love INC available to provide training and advice as needed. We’re excited to come back to our valley filled to the brim with encouraging words, practical help, and sound training. In one of the sessions, our trainer offered some insight about the importance of prayer. The difference between good work and God’s work is prayer.

F. Neil Folks: God’s projects — Accepting others as they are

It is said that holding a grudge can be hazardous to your health. When we hold grudges or resentments from the past towards someone, this hidden emotional endeavor masks or shrouds our heart and it loses its ability to feel and love again, the loss of empowerment. Not only does it suppress the immune system, it creates dysfunctional relationships and situations. Both end in bad health — mentally, physically and spiritually. We fail to see what Jesus attempted to teach the Jews: “See your enemies, not as God’s failures, but as God’s works in progress.” While we are in the throws of anger, vindictiveness, “ouches” and resentments, we fail to see the hurting face of the Christ in others, the same face that’s in us.

The Rev. Karen Gibson: We are all travelers

For the past 10 years, Matt Lauer has been featured on NBC’s “Today Show” in a special five-day world tour called “Where in the World is Matt Lauer?” During that five-day tour, every morning the show opens with a catchy tune to attract the viewers’ attention. For the five days prior to the next show Matt offers a clue to help one guess where the weary traveler, Matt Lauer, may be found the next morning.

The Rev. Len Browning: Life indeed

I have intentionally avoided news of the occupy movement. Fearing I might be tempted to empathize and knowing that I would definitely be driven to anger over the ignorant youthful zeal and misplaced impassioned activism, I have chosen blissful ignorance. So, I am not an expert on what is taking place or why the occupy movement is as phenomenal as it has become.

The Rev. Linda Taylor: My golden girls

I recently went on vacation, and each day I was gone I would call my husband who stayed behind to hold down the homefront. I would always start by asking him, how are the girls doing?