Strengthening Our Souls

Our church family at West Main in Lewisville is engaged in reading through the New Testament this year. Currently, we are in the book of Acts.

I noticed a concept in yesterday’s reading that is a prevailing theme, not only in Acts but throughout the Bible. Continue reading

1 Comment

Filed under Discipleship

Word of the Week: Intimacy

This week finds Norma Jean and I in Lubbock, Texas, where I’m preaching in a meeting for the Milwaukee Avenue church. Our theme is “Experiencing Intimacy with God.”

The word “intimacy” often conjures up feelings of a romantic relationship between a man and a woman. In fact, we use the word to refer to a sexual relationship enjoyed by a husband and wife. However, that is only the sixth definition by dictionary.com. Continue reading

2 Comments

Filed under Word of the Week

God’s Cure For Loneliness

According to blogger Leah Hickman “America has a loneliness problem.”

In an article in ChristianHeadlines.com Hickman reports that “the health insurer Cigna recently conducted a survey on loneliness in the United States. In the final report, about half of the 20,000 respondents said that they struggle with loneliness—specifically, “sometimes or always” feeling alone or left out. The study also found that two out of every five respondents felt isolation, a lack of companionship, or a lack of meaning in their relationships.” Continue reading

Leave a comment

Filed under Relationships

The National Day of Prayer 2018

Today is The National Day of Prayer.

Following a joint resolution in Congress, President Harry Truman signed it into law in 1952. Every President since has signed a proclamation observing such a day. In 1988, President Reagan with unanimous consent of Congress designateded the  first Thursday of May to be the annual day of National Prayer. Continue reading

3 Comments

Filed under America, Prayer

Great Verses of the Bible: Acts 13:36

John W. Gardner, who wrote the book “Excellence” says we have the potential to make a difference, not only in our own lives. But also in the lives of those we meet.

Gardner illustrates that point by relating the true story of a cheerful old gentleman who invested his life in others.

When the old fellow met people he never asked the conventional questions that we usually ask such as “What do you do for a living?” He always asked, “What have you done that you believe in and you are proud of?” Continue reading

3 Comments

Filed under Uncategorized

The Redemption Triangle

Last night Norma Jean and I attended a meeting at the Eastside Church of Christ in Denton, Texas, and heard a wonderful lesson from Tim Jennings, who reguarly preaches for the Spring Creek Church in Plano.

Tim’s message was from Acts 8-10, entitled “The Redemption Triangle.” Our readers will profit from his insightful thoughts from these chapters. Continue reading

7 Comments

Filed under Salvation

Word of the Week: Humor

Elton Trueblood, the noted and often quoted 20th-century theologian and author of 33 books on very serious subjects once wrote a book entitled “The Humor of Christ.”

It is said that Trueblood was inspired to write on the topic after reading Jesus’ words about a log protruding out of the eye of a hypocrite that made his four-year-old laugh. (Matt 7:3-5) Continue reading

2 Comments

Filed under Word of the Week

Are You Loafing Into Second Base?

With the beginning of baseball season, this caught my eye on facebook from my friend and preaching colleague, Jim Deason. Jim admits that he was “a passionate Atlanta Braves fan,” but now is just a “casual fan.”

While reading the baseball scores, Jim came across this line regarding the Phillies-Braves game from the night before. “Herrera roped a would-be double to right, but he loafed into second base and was tagged out by Dansby Swanson.” To Jim’s delight, Swanson plays for the Braves, and the loafer, Herrera, the Phillies.

Then, Jim posted this pertinent observation: Continue reading

3 Comments

Filed under Christian Living

What Does It Mean To Be A Christian?

What’s in a name?” opined Juliet in Shakespeare’s famous play Romeo and Juliet.

Her answer: “That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.”

This idea has often been applied religiously. Throughout my years of preaching, I’ve heard people say, “There’s nothing in a name!”

But, is that really so? Continue reading

3 Comments

Filed under Christian Living

Great Verses of the Bible: Acts 10:38

Yesterday was the funeral service for the two slain Gilchrist County Sheriff’s deputies-Noel Ramirez and Taylor Lindsey. It was held in the Bell Middle/High School auditorium. The two were ambushed while eating lunch at a local restaurant in Trenton, Florida last Thursday.

Governor Rick Scott attended and spoke at the funeral expressing his condolences. Law enforcement representatives came from all 67 counties in Florida. There were also representatives from across the country including officers from the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Some Canadian officers even attended to pay their respects. Continue reading

1 Comment

Filed under Great Bible Verses