Fellowship: Don't Be A Blank Puzzle Piece
A popular Christian cliché states that we are all “Created ON Purpose FOR a Purpose.” 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 explains that God gives each of us different spiritual gifts through His Spirit. Why? “For...
View ArticleFellowship: No "i" in "Christian"
Yes, I know there IS an “i”. I proclaimed several weeks ago that western society’s concept of individualism has crept its way into the spiritual lives of many Christians. At first glance, perhaps this...
View ArticleCareless Talk Costs Lives
There was in England during war-time several posters that gave warning and caution to its citizens. One of the famous ones read “Keep Calm and Carry On”, encouraging citizens to perform their daily...
View ArticleSome News for Hard Hearts
Mark 6:30-56. Feel free to read it, but here is the short version: Jesus has compassion on thousands of hungry people who have come to hear him speak. He feeds every one of them by somehow multiplying...
View ArticleThough the Earth Give Way
Last week’s bulletin article contained one of my favorite chapters in all scripture: Psalm 46. If you forgot to read it, go ahead and do so. Go ahead… I’ll wait… Do any of you feel like you have a...
View ArticlePush Away the Clouds
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my potion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in...
View ArticleIn Nigeria...
From THE CHRISTIAN POST online: “As the attacks on Nigeria's Christians continued in full force this past week, a particularly grisly attack saw fifty believers burned to death at their pastor's home,...
View ArticleOut Of Context
Have you ever come in on the middle of a conversation? After listening for a little while, did you realize that it was a conversation you should have heard from the beginning to really understand what...
View ArticleOut of Context 1: “Work Out Your Own Salvation…
“Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling…” As promised, I want to...
View Article"Where Two or Three Are Gathered..."
Have you ever been to a wedding or to a prayer meeting or some sort of gathering when someone recited Jesus’ words, “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I with them” (Matt 18:20)?...
View ArticleOut of Context 3: "Plans to Prosper You..."
I can’t think of many verses that are misused more often than this very popular Old Testament passage. Most of you know it by heart. I know the plans I have in mind for you, declares the Lord; they...
View ArticleOut of Context 4: "In Jesus' Name"
Are you a fan of medieval movies? There are several that I like. You know how in those movies a knight, or sheriff or some type of official will make a demand preceded by the phrase “IN THE NAME OF...
View ArticleOut of Context 5: “All things work together for good…”
If God is good, why do bad things happen? To be sure, many Christians don’t know how to handle their faith when tragic things occur or how to explain to others why such things happen. In fact, in...
View ArticleOut of Context 6: “Firstborn of All Creation”
About a year and a half ago, when we lived off North Main street, I got a knock on my door (…on my day off, the nerve, right!?) A very polite, older lady greeted me with a gentle handshake and asked...
View ArticleOut of Context 6: “Firstborn of All Creation”
About a year and a half ago, when we lived off North Main street, I got a knock on my door (…on my day off, the nerve, right!?) A very polite, older lady greeted me with a gentle handshake and asked...
View ArticleOut of Context 7: No More Than You Can Handle?
Last week I brought to our attention the fact that many people’s lives can become very difficult, exhausting, grating, demanding, etc. This makes US feel weak, abused, anxious and worrisome,...
View ArticleAny Sleepless Nights, Lately?
It's good to be back with you all this morning. As some of you know, I had the privilege of being the speaker for the senior members' retreat at HEB camp in Leakey. As I write this, it is Tuesday...
View ArticleOut of Context 8: If My People...
I have a typically positive response to the graphic above. I do believe it is important to pray for our country. However, I also believe it is important to pray for EVERY country (as uncomfortable as...
View ArticleDay of Thanks and Giving
This is one of my favorite weeks out of the year for many reasons, one in particular: homemade pie. Pecan pie, coconut cream pie, chocolate pie, apple pie, and banana cream pie are among my favorites....
View ArticleHe Said WHAT?!
I came across a link to a video the other day in which Bill Maher, one of the most popular self-proclaimed agnostics in America, gave a short stinging critique of Christians. After watching it, I...
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