December 14, 2015 · 6:11 am

Word of the Week: Behave

behave

I can still recall as a child my mother giving me a stern look and uttering those two words that stuck fear in my heart “Behave yourself.” I knew exactly what she meant.

“Behave yourself” meant that I wasn’t acting the way she had taught me. Either my words, rowdiness, or attitude was not in keeping with the way she expected me to be.

“Behave yourself” served as both a correction and warning. I understood. There needed to be a change. And quickly. If not, there would be some consequences. Continue reading →

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December 13, 2015 · 6:28 am

Jesus Focused

 

In his book Worship is a Verb, Robert Webber writes, “The focus of worship is not human experience, not a lecture, not entertainment, but Jesus Christ—his life, death and resurrection.”

Worship. It’s not about showcasing the talent of a gifted musician, or displaying a preacher’s knowledge of Greek verbs, or even a pleasant reunion of family and friends. It’s about Jesus. Continue reading →

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December 11, 2015 · 5:19 am

IT’S FRIDAY. BUT SUNDAY’S COMING! An Exhortation From Gethsemane

Jesus.Gethsename2

It was the beginning of 3 days that these 3 men would never forget. Never.

The hour was late. Much had happened. The last supper. Prideful posturing. Washing feet. Judas’ departure. And the ensuing walk across the Kedron valley with Jesus teaching. Encouraging. Comforting. Promising.

Peter, James, and John are invited to walk a little father, as Jesus entered into prayer to the Father.

Struggle. Sorrow. Supplication. These words describe Jesus’ emotions in Gethsemane’s garden as Thursday turned into Friday. Continue reading →

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December 10, 2015 · 5:53 am

For Goodness’ Sake or God’s Sake?

SKIP CHURCH. GOODNESS

American Atheists are at it again this Christmas season. As part of their annual tradition the past few years, the Atheists organization has raised eyebrows with their latest holiday-theme billboard.

Picturing a smiling Santa, promising not to tell on you, the message reads: “Go ahead and skip church! Just be good for goodness sake. Happy Holidays!” So far, these billboards have popped up in Colorado, Springs, CO and Raleigh, NC.

“We want people to know that going to church has absolutely nothing to do with being a good person,” said David Silverman, president of American Atheists, in a statement. “The things that are most important during the holiday season—spending time with loved ones, charity and being merry—have nothing to do with religion.” Continue reading →

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December 9, 2015 · 4:18 am

GREAT VERSES OF THE BIBLE: 1John 1:8-9

Open Bible

Jerry Shirley tells a story about a King who visited a slave ship.  There was a slave galley where they chained prisoners to the oars and made them row.

The King decided to go below the deck, and talk to those who were chained to the oars. And he asked one man, “Why are you here?”

“Oh,” he said, “Sire, I don’t know why I’m here. I was in a crowd when a crime was committed and when they arrested everybody, they got me, but I’m innocent!” Continue reading →

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December 8, 2015 · 6:21 am

Peace On Earth Begins With Me

Peace. World Wide 

In 1955 the husband and wife song writing team, Sy Miller and Jill Jackson, penned the song “Let There Be Peace on Earth” about their dream to produce world-wide peace. Jill wrote the lyrics and Sy wrote the melody.

The song was first introduced to a selected group of teenagers in the summer of 1955 from different religious, racial and cultural backgrounds who attended a week-long retreat in California. They lived and worked together in a camp setting, engaging in discussion groups to develop friendship and create understanding. Continue reading →

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December 7, 2015 · 8:09 am

Word of the Week: Conscience

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 “This is not a day care. This is a university!” These words in a post by Dr. Everett Piper, President of Oklahoma Wesleyan University, went viral last week and were reported by most of the media.

Dr. Piper’s post was in response to a student complaint that he was “offended” by a speaker on the campus with whom he disagreed. What was not widely reported by most outlets was the situation that caused the student’s discomfort.

Here it is and the commentary in Dr. Piper’s own words. Continue reading →

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December 6, 2015 · 5:04 am

Christianity

What is Christianity?

“Christianity, in its purest form, is nothing more than seeing Jesus,” writes Max Lucado in God Came Near. “Christian service, in its purest form, is nothing more than imitating him who we see. To see His Majesty and to imitate him, that is the sum of Christianity” elaborates Lucado. Continue reading →

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December 4, 2015 · 5:02 am

CAN GOD FIX THIS?

Rescue crews tend to the injured in the intersection outside the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino, California in this still image taken from video December 2, 2015. At least 20 people were reported injured in an active shooter situation, according to news reports. REUTERS/NBCLA.com/Handout via Reuters NO SALES. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS. THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. IT IS DISTRIBUTED, EXACTLY AS RECEIVED BY REUTERS, AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVE

“GOD ISN’T FIXING THIS” screamed the headline from Thursday’s New York Daily News following Wednesday’s mass shooting in San Bernardino leaving 14 dead and 21 wounded.

The subheading said, “As the latest bunch of innocent Americans are left laying in pools of blood, cowards who could  truly end gun scourge continue to hide behind meaningless platitudes.” Continue reading →

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December 3, 2015 · 5:40 am

What Should Be the Christian’s Attitude Toward the Syrian Refugees?

Syrian Refugees

Last week one of our readers asked me to write about “how Christians should approach the current political climate and the Syrian Refugee?” I responded that I would think about. And I have been.

Like most issues of national and international importance there are several different valid viewpoints. And many are steeped in politics. Too often Christians allow their political views to influence their attitude and response in a negative way to those who differ. I have noticed some very sharp exchanges on facebook among brethren on this issue. Continue reading →

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