After being invited, by way or an irritating recorded phone message, to a mas city wide Easter egg hunt to evangelize the city with Christ I just had to comment. First off Christ we confess that that church has lost once again the true meaning of the celebration. It used to annoy me that as Christians we celebrate “Easter” and call that the resurrection of Christ. But that is a lie and a meaning less tradition so coveted by the [...]
(Posted with permission) A confession: I behaved like a Scrooge. It was Dec. 24, the Saturday before Christmas, and I had a few last-minute things to pick up from the store — and I anticipated a chaos, beginning in the parking lot. I was right. As I searched in vain for a parking space, I was certain that a lady stopped halfway down a row of the parking lot with her blinker flashing was waiting for another driver to vacate [...]
In these modern times one would think that it becomes increasingly difficult to separate oneself unto the Lord during the Christmas season. With all the commercials on TV, Santas in the store and the out and out assault Christ, this year it was quite different for me. No I did not hermit myself in the mountains or even refuse to go to the mall. But what I did do was unashamedly speak my faith when asked. It was refreshing to [...]
I wanted to write a brief note this morning based on a passage from 3 John. In this letter John is writing to Gaius a dear friend of his. In this letter John warns Gaius not to imitate the evil that he sees in some part of the church. 3 John: 10 So when I come, I will call attention to what he is doing, spreading malicious nonsense about us. Not satisfied with that, he even refuses to welcome other [...]
The 13th of Adar, according to the book of Esther, the Jews began a to fast and seek the Lord as too their plait. They had been marked for ruin and were have all their wealth plundered in order to support the Babylonian pending war with Greece. Esther the new queen knew she had to go before the King and intercede for her people. She and the rest of the Jews fasted and prayed for 3 days. At the end [...]
Nehemiah 9 (Amplified) 1NOW ON the twenty-fourth day of this month, the Israelites were assembled with fasting and in sackcloth and with earth upon their heads. 2And the Israelites separated themselves from all foreigners and stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers. The leaders of Israel knew their history, they learned of the past, both successes and failures of their people to please God. Together they cam to confess and repent not only of the sins [...]
1 Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. 2 When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. “Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? 3 Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with [...]
If a tree falls in the forest and no one is there to hear it, does it make a sound? The same question could be asked of many churches in our area. Sunday after Sunday, week after week churches all over this country preach from the Word of God to a congregation of “believers”. The message normally falls into one of three categories; salvation (the cross), faith (combating a lack of belief), self help (believe more and you will make [...]
Shocking isn’t it. It shouldn’t be, that is the way we treat each other right? Just read some of the comments out there on the major news outlets and blogs in the community and it is clear this is how we behave. Aren’t you glad God does not do that to us? This community suffered a tragedy recently and though there has been much love and support poured out to the victim’s family there has also been great reticule and [...]
In this time of great need and sorrow in this country it is easy to forget that God is the provider. This fall was very hard and heading into this last holiday season with what looked like the greatest lack I have ever experienced in my life. The Lord was allowing me to walk in a very uncomfortable place. I wish I could say that is all behind me now, but that is difficult to do in light of the [...]