Avizandum with Pastor John Munro

How do you feel about solitude? We live in a noisy world where it can be difficult to unplug and find a quiet time to reflect, enjoy the sounds of nature, and commune with God. Today take a break from the hectic pace of life and reflect on the beauty and value of being still and alone.

In Scripture, followers of Christ are encouraged to rejoice, even in the midst of suffering and trials. How is this possible? Be encouraged as John explains and shares individual examples to help us understand how to "count it all joy."

Based on the work of 16th-century theologian John Calvin, Calvinism often centers on the identity and implications of "the elect" as noted in Scripture. Some distinctions held by "Neo-Calvinists" can inadvertently confuse or divide--so what are followers of Christ to do?

All of us need good friends. But making or choosing good friends can be difficult. And being a good friend can be even harder! Join John as he reflects on the joys and risks of friendship, and how to be and make godly friends.

All of us want the power of God to be evident in our lives. But how is this accomplished? John discusses A.W. Tozer’s Five Vows for Spiritual Power as a convicting and helpful tool in pursuing spiritual growth.

Marriage is a special and sacred relationship because it was designed by God. And it’s important for those contemplating marriage (even those who have been married before) to understand the biblical nature of this important covenant, often through premarital counseling.

Every day we are all faced with trials, struggles, and suffering. But Scripture calls for followers of Jesus Christ to respond to these times of life with a different perspective. We are people of faith, people of hope. So how does this change things?

Why is preaching so important? What's different about biblical preaching vs. regular teaching or other modes of communication? And why is it so important to our spiritual growth?

How does someone read the Bible? How do you start? What should you expect? Why is it so important? Whether you're a new believer or longtime follower of Christ, go back to basics on reading God's Word!

Apparently, there are more and more standing ovations in our society. Isn't that interesting? What does this tell us about ourselves? And what are the implications for clapping and ovations in worship services? Join John for his reflections on this intriguing aspect of human behavior.

Why is the idea of people gathering in person so important to the community of believers? As we celebrate the recent opening of Calvary's new cafe, The Gathering, John comments on the significance of connecting in person vs. the modern tendency to isolate ourselves.

In the dark times of life, it can be difficult to trust that God is still with us and still for us. Join John as he discusses this hard truth and offers personal encouragement from one of his favorite hymns.

Rumors, gossip, and bizarre stories increasingly abound online. What is it about us that wants to believe the worst about people? John looks at the principles of natural justice included in the Mosaic Law and in Roman law which help us pursue and live by truth.

Have you ever read Pilgrim's Progress? It's a book (an allegory) by John Bunyan which portrays the joys and struggles of Christian, a pilgrim. In these adventures, we see many truths of Scripture illustrated in helpful ways.

What do you think about cremation? Is it wrong for a Christian to be cremated? John shares his own thoughts and some of the biblical considerations as he discusses these very personal questions.

What happens when we die? Despite the inevitable, this question deals with an important reality that many people prefer to avoid. What are the different views about the afterlife? What is the biblical view?

Today there are endless materials to help us study the Bible. As a lover of books, John would never complain about the abundance of wonderful resources! Yet there is a danger that we spend more time reading about the Bible than studying the actual Bible itself.

There are all kinds of theories about raising children. You may have heard of the parenting philosophy called "Gentle Parenting" which focuses on the child's emotional experience vs. their behavior. How does this line up with the idea of biblical discipline?

One of the most frequent questions John receives deals with baptism, often from those who come from church traditions with infant baptism. Do people baptized as infants need to be baptized as adults? What is the biblical basis?

What will happen in 2025? None of us knows. But followers of Jesus Christ are to keep our eyes on Jesus, listen to His Word, and follow Him obediently. So what does this mean in practice?

No matter where you live, New Year's Eve is a time of celebration and festivities. Join John as he remembers some interesting New Year's traditions and shares thoughts on how all of us can approach 2025.

Christmas is supposed to be a time of celebration, a time of joy. But did you ever have a Christmas where everything went wrong? Join John for the story of one exceptional Christmas, and what we can all take away!

As Calvary prepares to dedicate a new building expansion on December 22, John reflects on the role of new buildings and facilities within the church, some of the key considerations, and brings a challenge as to our ultimate focus.

The Christmas season is a time of light. We see lights on Christmas trees, homes, and yards. Even a little light dispels the darkness. Join John and explore this beautiful idea of light as we celebrate the coming of the Light of the world.

Of all people on the face of the earth, followers of Jesus Christ should be the most thankful. And because we have received the generosity of God's grace, we should be generous. So what does this mean in practice?