17-Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account.
Just as we share in suffering, we also share in fruit. Paul says here that he is excited not for the gift itself but for the result of that gift. When the Philippians gave, he saw more than money; he saw ministry! Read Entire Post…
Due to serious abuse in the past (and present), giving has become a hot-topic issue in the church today. However, we cannot allow the misuse of men to destroy the intent of God. The argument has become “to give or not to give” but that was never the question, the question for Christians is not “if” we give but “why” we give. As is often the case, by clearing up our motive, the action we need to take will become clear as well. Read Entire Post…
This title bears repeating and for me stirs up many conversations with my Lord, how about you? American Playwright and Novelist Thornton Niven Wilder (1897-1975) wrote a play called, “The Angel that Troubled the Waters,” which is loosely based on John 5:1-4, the story of the pool of Bethesda. The play tells of a physician who comes periodically to the pool of Bethesda, hoping to be the first in the water and be healed of his melancholy …when the angel appears and troubles the water. Read Entire Post…
For a long time I didn’t connect with others at church because of a fear of being real. I thought that if others knew what a terrible example of a Christian I was they would be appalled.
Yesterday I drove home at dusk during that downpour of cold June rain, trying not to complain about the weather in my thoughts. I have learned that all complaining about weather is murmuring against God Himself. He does what He does after His own wise counsel, and I must be grateful for it all. Read Entire Post…
This modern world is full of busyness; we are definitely an over-stimulated generation. Cable television has well over 1000 stations for us to choose from, and the Internet has millions of websites. When we travel, we carry our cell phones and our laptop computers. No longer does a cell phone only make and receive calls, it also has an electronic organizer, games, a calculator, a clock, a calendar, and internet access — it can even take photos and make videos! Pretty soon our cell phones will wash the dishes and make our beds! Read Entire Post…
Above and beyond party politics, whether you are a Republican or Democrat, the last few weeks of drama that has unfolded between presidential hopeful, Barack Obama and his pastor, Reverend Jeremiah Wright have stirred some important questions about the role that a pastor has in the lives of his people. In the case of Obama and Reverend Wright, it seems to have devolved into a case of semantics. Is he a pastor or a spiritual advisor? Is there a difference? Read Entire Post…
On my walk around Freestone Lake yesterday, my friend Cindy and I were talking about YIELDING to the Holy Spirit, especially in regard those difficult things that God allows into our lives. As we walked around and around the lake and as we conversed about YIELDING, I saw a picture of those darn roundabouts that are popping up on many roads in many communities. I absolutely hate them! I have been driving confidently for 30 years now but when I come to one of those roundabouts, all confidence goes right out the window and I find myself gripping the wheel with indecision. Read Entire Post…
What does it mean to be a manly man? Many people today, even preachers in Christian churches, present ultimate manliness as conquering others. To them, a good example of manliness would be Samson. Samson was massively strong physically; on one occasion he killed 1000 men with just the jawbone of a donkey. Another time Samson saw a beautiful woman in the city of Timnah and told his parents to “get her for me as a wife.” “Get her for me” almost sounds like a caveman with a club taking his woman by the hair to his cave! Read Entire Post…
Jesus said in John 10:10b, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” More abundantly… oh now isn’t this just what we need to remember on a Monday?! The word abundant is by definition, “plentiful or well supplied.” Well supplied…I like that! Jesus did not just come to give us life…but a plentiful or well supplied life. Isn’t this great news? Read Entire Post…