December 5, 2016 · 5:56 am

Word of the Week: Commitment

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Polycarp was a second century Christian who lived at the time of Roman persecution. This godly man, one of the bishops of the church at Smyrna, managed to escape persecution for almost his entire life. However, at age 86, he was suddenly a target of the Roman government.

Friends urged him to flee and go into hiding. Polycarp refused. When the soldiers came to his door, he let the them in and said, “God’s will be done.” Historians record that he was brought before the local proconsul, Statius Quadratus, who interrogated him in front of a curious crowd of bystanders. Continue reading →

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December 4, 2016 · 6:27 am

We Need Each Other

Today we hear a lot about inclusiveness in a social or political sense. But it’s important to understand spiritual inclusiveness. The value of each Christian. The role of all members in our church family. The appreciation of everyone’s contribution to our spiritual success.

In a light little ditty, this idea is communicated by an unknown author entitled, “Who Flies the Kite?”

 Who flies the kite?
“I”, said the boy, “It is my joy!
I fly the kite.” Continue reading →

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December 2, 2016 · 4:49 am

Traditional Beliefs Under Attack (Again)

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Chip and Joanna Gaines, from Waco, Texas, are the stars of “Fixer Upper”, HGTV’s #1 hit show. But according to a Cosmopolitan article the magazine has “uncovered something many fans will likely want an explanation for–a startling revelation that has left many wondering where Chip and Jo stand.”

And what is this “startling revelation”? One that various media outlets are calling a possible “scandal.” “Serious” another labeled it. And “concerning” wrote Buzzfeed. Continue reading →

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December 1, 2016 · 7:14 am

Hope When Fighting Cancer

cancer-hopeIn the past month I have learned of several of my friends, family and brethren who are dealing with the dreaded disease of cancer. I have some idea how the families feel.

I have lost so many friends and family members to this ugly enemy called cancer. Aunts. Uncles. Cousins. Grandparents.  And my own mother. I have seen it ravage the bodies of the young and old alike. Continue reading →

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November 30, 2016 · 7:04 am

GREAT VERSES OF THE BIBLE: 1Thessalonians 1:3

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Several years ago an Afghanistan man, Abud Rahman was arrested for the “crime” of converting to Christianity from Islam. As a result, Raham faced the possibility of the death penalty.

Following outrage by the world community, the citizens of the United States and the plea of then President Bush George W. Bush, the Afghan officials decided to drop the charges of apostasy and release the man. Their decision was based on two reasons. Continue reading →

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November 29, 2016 · 5:48 am

3 Questions to Consider About Giving

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“We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give” once said the British statesman and Prime Minister Winston Churchill.

Today we are reminded of the importance of giving on #GivingTuesday. This is the 5th year of this “global day of giving fueled by the power of social media and collaboration.” From their web page, here’s more information about this national day of giving.

“Observed on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving (in the U.S.) and the widely recognized shopping events Black Friday and Cyber Monday, #GivingTuesday kicks off the charitable season, when many focus on their holiday and end-of-year giving. Continue reading →

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November 28, 2016 · 6:50 am

Word of the Week: Content

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John Eldredge tells a great story of a rich industrialist who was visiting Mexico and found one of the local fishermen just sitting by his boat, playing his guitar and enjoying  a cold drink.

Disturbed to find the fisherman so idle he asked, “Why aren’t you out there fishing?”

The fisherman replied, “Because I’ve already gone out today and I have caught all that I need for me and my family.” Continue reading →

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November 23, 2016 · 5:07 am

Great Verses of the Bible: Psalm 100

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Lisa Earby, a Cleveland, Tennessee, teacher relates a funny story about reading one-on-one with a first grader.

For the first time the student discovered the words “thank you” in print. Lisa hoped her pupil would use some of the reading strategies she’d learned to figure out the words. However, after a few moments, Lisa decided to tell her the word “thank.” When she didn’t respond, Lisa emphatically said, “Thank.” Continue reading →

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November 22, 2016 · 4:49 am

A Positive Lesson From a Professional Athlete

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Too often the stories reported by the news media about professional athletes are negative.   Here’s one that’s different, refreshing and positive.

Tony Romo has been the starting quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys for the past 10 years. He’s enjoyed a spectacular career, breaking many Cowboys’ records in the process. Continue reading →

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November 21, 2016 · 6:04 am

WORD OF THE WEEK: THANKS

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Rudyard Kipling was a great British poet, novelist and short story writer in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Well known for his fictional work The Jungle Book and his poem IF, Kipling received the Nobel prize in literature in 1907. The poet Laureate earned a great deal of money from his literary works which spawned criticism in British media.

Hoping for a story, a newspaper reporter once approached him and said, “Mr. Kipling. I just read that somebody calculated that the money you made from your writings amounts to over $100 a word.” Continue reading →

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