Category Archives: Christian Living

September 22, 2016 · 6:20 am

Don’t Become A Spiritual Benedict Arnold

 benedict-arnold

It was 236 years ago yesterday that General Benedict Arnold was caught and arrested .

Unless you’re like some of the history challenged people interviewed by Jesse Watters, you know that Benedict Arnold’s name has become synonymous with the word “traitor.”

However, previous to his decision to become a turncoat, Benedict Arnold was a hero during the Revolutionary War. He was born into a well respected Connecticut family. He distinguished himself as a brave and skillful leader in various military campaigns and was given command at West Point. Continue reading →

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September 1, 2016 · 5:09 am

Acceptance Does Not Imply Approval

 Diversity.People

There is a fallacy in the minds of many people that if you accept something or someone, you are tacitly demonstrating your approval.

When the conversation comes to a person’s practice, lifestyle or opinions, the contrarian is often heard to pronounce: “That’s wrong. I just cannot accept that.”

What we need to realize is that there is a vast difference between accepting someone and approving of their choices, behavior or beliefs. Let me illustrate from God’s Word. Continue reading →

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August 30, 2016 · 8:14 am

You Can Be New Again

IMG_0464

The centerpiece of our annual anniversary trip was an Alaskan cruise on the Island Princess. Their theme is “Come Back New.” Their advertizing brochure invites you with these enticing words. ” Escape to breathtaking ocean views, fresh, local flavors and the chance to see someone you love in awe of the world again.

It is indeed a relaxing way to vacation and enjoy special time away from your daily routines with your husband or wife. They use words like “refresh,” “renew” and “revitalize” to emphasis the new feeling you will experience. Continue reading →

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August 18, 2016 · 5:07 am

How Obstacles Help Us Grow

      Obstacles are a part of life everyone encounters them.  They may come in the form of financial reverses, family problems, spiritual challenges, or physical ailments.  But one thing is certain, obstacles will come into our lives.

But why?  Why do we have to endure obstacles?  How do they add value to our lives?  And why does God allow Christians to endure obstacles? As an answer consider the following story. Continue reading →

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August 12, 2016 · 5:05 am

What Leads Your Life?

Allyson Felix

“I have learned that track doesn’t define me. My faith defines me. I’m running because I have been blessed with a gift,” said Olympic track star Allyson Felix.

Next week Felix, a 2012 Olympic Champion and 3 time world champion, will compete in Rio in the women’s 400M event. However, Felix, told the LA Times last week that “faith leads my life.” She said that there is a “bigger picture” and “a greater purpose” to life.” Continue reading →

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August 11, 2016 · 5:13 am

Gold Medal Winners

Pursuing Gold

 

Do you know what these people have in common with Olympic Gold medalist Michael Phelps? Joe Clarke? Michael Jung? Rafaela Silva? Mack Horton? Sukanya Srisurat? And Hoang Xuan Vihn?

Now, if you said each won an Olympic gold medal in Rio you’d be right! But do you know where they are from and what sport they medaled in? Continue reading →

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May 13, 2016 · 5:52 am

What’s Your Story?

Confident businessman drinking coffee in cafe

Yesterday I heard Shane Brethowr share a neat story about a man who went to a coffee shop, ordered and sat down at a table with a sign that read, “FREE COFFEE, if I can tell you MY STORY.”

He sat there for two hours and no one took him up on his offer. He left disappointed. Frustrated. And perplexed.

But the next day, he returned to same coffee shop at the same time. Ordered. Sat at the same table. But this time with a different sign that read: Continue reading →

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May 10, 2016 · 5:01 am

What’s Wrong With the World?

World. Man

I accidently came across this blog the other day simple called “What’s Wrong with the World? I have not deeply delved into it, so I am not necessarily recommending it. But it looks interesting.

Their statement of purpose says their blog is “dedicated to the defense of what remains of Christendom, the civilization made by the men of the cross of Christ.” Their lengthy statement specifically mentions two dangers: (1) the Islamic doctrine of JIHAD and (2) “the brazen defiance of God” in what is generally called “liberalism.” Continue reading →

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April 14, 2016 · 6:08 am

What If We Had To Pay “The Alice Tax”?

 Taxes.alice tax

Kansas City native Calvin Trillin is an American author, journalist and humorist. He is a long time food writer for The New Yorker.

In 2012, Trillin was awarded the Thurber Prize for American Humor for Quite Enough of Calvin Trillin: Forty Years of Funny Stuff, published by Random House. He often speaks of his late wife, Alice, who was an accomplished author, educator and “long time muse to her husband.”

In the book, he writes about “the Alice Tax.” Never heard of it? On the eve of our tax deadline in America, consider this. Continue reading →

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April 13, 2016 · 6:39 am

What Guides My Life?

 

Portrait of a pensive businessman at the office

The church where I currently preach, Hickman Mills church of Christ, in Kansas City, MO, recently presented a special series called “Week-End in the Word.” The theme was Bible Answers To Tough Questions. The speaker invited to address these questions was Dan DeGarmo from Chillicothe, Ohio.

The questions included, “Why Bad Things Happen to good people” How should I Respond to Terror?” “Who Am I? And “God, What Do You See in Me?”

In my mind the key question, answered Sunday morning, was “What Guides My Life?” This answer impacts the answers to all other questions. Continue reading →

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