March 8, 2019 · 7:08 am

¡Pura Vida!

For the past several months, we have enjoyed visiting new places, traveling to different countries, worshiping with the brethren, and sharing the Word whenever we can.

These opportunities have allowed us to revel in the beauty of God’s creation. Experience tasty food. And learn about the customs of local people. Costa Rica has been no exception.

One of the terms we learned this week from our new friend and guide, Edgar, is the local expression “Pura Vida” (pronounced poo-rah vee-dah). Literally translated it means “simple life” or “pure life.” In Costa Rica, we’re learning it’s more than a saying–it’s a way of life. Continue reading →

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March 7, 2019 · 7:05 am

What Happens When You Die?

In the book “Children’s Letters to God”, a little boy named Mike wrote, “Dear God. What happens when you die? Nobody will talk to me about it. I don’t want to do it. I just want to know.”

A lot of folks are like Mike. They’re not ready to die. But they do have questions about it. Lots of questions. Continue reading →

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March 6, 2019 · 8:38 am

A PASSAGE TO PONDER: 2Corinthians 10:3-5

Yesterday we toured the National Museum of Costa Rica in San José.

The fortress was built in 1917 and was originally a military barracks. The exterior walls still have bullets lodged in them from the country’s 1948 civil war. Interestingly, Costa Rica does not have an army. The military was disbanded in 1948. In 1950 the building became a museum.

Among the fascinating exhibits and artifacts displaying the country’s rich history is a section on the Spanish Inquisition which began in 1478 and was not officially abolished until 1834. Continue reading →

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March 5, 2019 · 7:01 am

Pressing Toward the Goal

Yesterday one of my friends on facebook saw some of our pictures with the brethren in Costa Rica and shared this post.

“And this is how I want to spend my ‘retirement.’ Y’all are sprinting to the finish line!! I love it.”

I chuckled. Then I thought “sprinting toward the finish line” means I’m nearing the end of the race. So I responded, “I hadn’t thought about it exactly like that. Maybe you could say we’re starting the last lap.” Continue reading →

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March 4, 2019 · 6:34 am

WORD OF THE WEEK: FELLOWSHIP

This week Norma Jean and I are in San José, Costa Rica.

It is the home of one of my former preaching interns, Gabe Chaves. We’ve wanted to come for a long time to meet Gabe’s family, worship with the brethren in Alajuela, and see their beautiful country. By God’s grace, this is now a reality.

Numerous brethren in the United States have enjoyed fellowship with the Costa Rican brethren for many years. More recently among them are Kenny Moorer, Kerry Keenan, Ken Embry and Jack Gagle. Everyone who has visited here speaks highly of these brethren. Now I know why. Continue reading →

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March 1, 2019 · 6:49 am

A Necessary Quality Often Overlooked in Evangelism

Jeff Strite says this actually happened in a southern church years ago.

The local preacher had been preaching on the importance of evangelism. In the congregation was a young man who was mentally challenged who took these lessons to heart. Consequently, he began telling everyone who would listen about Jesus and asking if they wanted to become a Christian.

One Sunday a man visited who really didn’t want to be there. He was invited by a family who was members. He was a skeptic. But attended just to be polite.

At one point, the young man approached the visitor and asked, “Do you want to be a Christian?” Continue reading →

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February 28, 2019 · 5:56 am

Voting on Morality

The United Methodist Church voted on Tuesday at a special conference in St. Louis to uphold that homosexuality is contrary to Biblical teaching.

For several years the UMC has been engaged in an emotional and often contentious debate regarding same-sex marriage, the ordination of homosexual ministers and denomination’s position on LGBT issues in general.

Tuesday’s vote rejected the “One Church Plan” which basically said each church could determine their position on homosexuality. Instead, they approved the “Traditional Plan” by a vote of 438-384, which affirmed the denomination’s stance as stated in their Book of Discipline pronouncing homosexuality “incompatible with Christian teaching.” Continue reading →

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February 27, 2019 · 6:32 am

A Passage to Ponder: Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

Yesterday New England Patriots owner, Robert Kraft, was officially charged with two counts of first-degree solicitation.

It was revealed by authorities last week that “Kraft visited a Florida massage parlor for sex acts on the morning of the AFC Championship Game, which he attended in Kansas City later that day.”

“According to documents released by the Palm Beach State Attorney’s Office on Monday, it was the second visit by Kraft to the parlor in less than 24 hours.” Continue reading →

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February 26, 2019 · 5:14 am

AIN’T ANYTHING MEANER THAN KILLIN’ BABIES

Rarely, if ever, in 7 years have we published an entire article from another author. Today’s post merits an exception. While we have addressed the issue of abortion several times, this well-written and deeply thought-provoking piece by my friend Kenny Chumbley offers a unique perspective and deserves wider circulation.

May it encourage and inspire you to say or do something to protect the most vulnerable among us.

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman

Continue reading →

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February 25, 2019 · 6:32 am

Word of the Week: Circumspect

Circumspect is not a word that we often use in our everyday speech.

For example, I never heard my Dad use the word when I was a kid walking with him out in the pasture where the cows were grazing. Nor did my mother tell me to be circumspect when crossing a busy street. And neither did my Driver’s Ed instructor warn us to be circumspect when driving on a hilly, curvy road. But they did use words to warn me of the consequences of failing to be circumspect. Continue reading →

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