Character

“Jesus never begged anyone to believe in Him. He knew that integrity cannot be proven; it must be discerned,” wrote Mike Murdock.

“He never wasted time with critics. He kept his attention on His goal. He stayed focused. They accused Jesus of being filled with devils! He paid no attention. He simply continued to cast out devils. Jesus never strived to ‘look good.’ He simply was good. He did not labor to appear truthful. He was truthful. He never struggled to have a good reputation. He had character.” Continue reading →

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IT’S FRIDAY. BUT SUNDAY’S COMING! Black Friday

 Black Friday

Today is dubbed as “Black Friday.” According to Wikipedia the term originally began in Philadelphia to “describe the heavy and disruptive  vehicle traffic that would occur the day after Thanksgiving.”

In more recent years “Black Friday” describes the busiest shopping day of the year. It’s a day when retailers open early and close late. It refers to businesses who’ve been operating “in the red”, now turning a profit and operating “in the black.” Continue reading →

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Thanksgiving from A -Z

Give thanks 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Today’s post is a fun application of the song, “Count Your Many Blessings” using the alphabet. Some are spiritual. Others physical. A few personal. Plus little things we take for granted. Continue reading →

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GREAT VERSES OF THE BIBLE: James 1:17

james-1-17

“The gift that keeps on giving.” Google this phrase and you’ll get 10,800,000 results.

This well-known slogan has been used in commercials over the years to sell Father’s Day and Mother’s Day gifts, subscriptions to Sports Illustrated, and promote a variety of goods and services including banks, florists, and cameras. As we approach the holiday season, we all want to purchase that perfect gift that pleases our family and friends–a gift that keeps on giving. Continue reading →

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How Does Love Deal With Hurts Without Keeping A Record Of Wrongs?

CharlieBrown.Football 

Last week in a post from 1Corinthians 13:5, we wrote about “(Love) keeps no record of wrongs.”

In response, one of our regular readers, Stephen, commented, “forgiving someone isn’t a license for them to keep on running over you (continue hurting you through their actions).” He then mentioned the analogy of Lucy holding the football for Charlie Brown and asked that I write about this issue.

It was a classic every football season for several years in the Peanuts comic strip. Charlie Brown practicing his place kicking and Lucy holding the football.

Continue reading →

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Word of the Week: Thankful

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My late friend and college room mate, David Lewis,  once related a touching story by Dr. John Kavanaugh, about a woman in an extended care hospital.

“She had some kind of wasting disease, her different powers fading away over the march of the month. A student of mine happened upon her on a coincidental visit. The student kept going back, drawn by the strange force of the woman’s joy. Though she could no longer move her arms and legs, she would say, ‘I’m just so happy that I can move my neck.’ When she could no longer move her neck, she would say, ‘I’m just so glad that I can see and hear.’ Continue reading →

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Your Best

Graham Kendrick reminds us, “Worship is first and foremost for His benefit, not ours, though it is marvelous to discover that in giving Him pleasure, we ourselves enter into what can become our richest and most wholesome experience in life.” Continue reading →

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IT’S FRIDAY. BUT SUNDAY’S COMING! Christ–The Power of God

Cross.Tomb.Darkness.Light

Do You not know that I have power to crucify You, and power to release You?” Pontus Pilate asked Jesus at His trial.

The power in Jesus’ day resided in Rome. Everyone knew it. Their empirical rule reached across the known world. The power was evident in their army. Their outposts of culture. Their massive building programs. Their roads. And, of course, their ruler. He was Pontifex Maximus. Continue reading →

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Sowing Discord Among Brethren

Discord Among Brethren

Perhaps you’ve heard the story about a man who was stranded on a desert island for many, many years. One day, while strolling along the beach, he spotted a ship in the distance. This had never happened in all the time he was on the island, so he was very excited about the chance of being rescued.

Immediately, he built a fire on the beach and generated as much smoke as possible. It worked! Soon, the ship was heading his way. When the ship was close enough to the island, a dinghy was dispatched to investigate the situation. The man on the island was overjoyed with the chance to be rescued and met his saviors as they landed. Continue reading →

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GREAT VERSES OF THE BIBLE: 1Corinthians 13:5

Love. Record of wrongs

I heard a story about a man in the early 1900’s who was bitten by a rabid animal and taken to the local hospital. The doctor examined him, ran some tests, and broke the bad news to him.

“I’m sorry,” he said, “but you have contracted rabies.” This was prior to a cure being found. So the Dr sadly announced, “There’s no hope for you. We can keep you comfortable during your last days, but that’s all. I suggest you write out your will and set your affairs in order.” Continue reading →

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