The peace of God Do you ever think deeply about your soul and its condition? I mean, really? We long for a lot of things; like a new job, a life mate, a new home, the end of a very hot summer. And our appetites, our hunger, is for so many things, none of which […]
Mercy Our church is in a series on the Beatitudes. Last Sunday, we engaged in the fifth statement by Jesus. “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.” Interestingly, the first four have to do with our relationship with God, and the remaining ones deal with our relationship with others. Jesus certainly knew what he […]
Believe The debate over faith and works has been around for thousands of years. But God actually settled it early on when he called a gentile to leave home and country to a life of sojourning all his days. He obeyed. Several years passed and Abram (Abraham later) and Sarai (Sarah later) were childless, in […]
Prison ministry Most of you have never stepped foot in a jail or prison. For me, it has been a 50 year weekly journey to State jails, prisons and juvenile detention centers. Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t choose this, I was called to do it. Jesus said, “I was in prison and you came […]
God saves To do what? Well, we can’t save anyone—that’s God’s work. As noted above in this verse, we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ to do good works prepared by him in advance before the foundation of the world. So, God does the saving with a purpose for us in mind. But, honestly, what […]
Ecclesiastes Over the past year, I’ve been reading through the Old Testament and simultaneously, through the New Testament along with a Psalm each morning. This past month I have completed the book of Ecclesiastes. I found it to be difficult reading. Some of it I find depressing, some sobering and some fairly joyful. The Preacher […]
Resurrected life I am certain that each of you has a memorable spiritual experience this Easter. Mine was especially meaningful as Joanne and I worshiped with her sister, Sue, at Cornerstone Presbyterian Church in Franklin, Tennessee. Meaningful because this was the building that was First Baptist Church when I was growing up, and I was […]
Valued Have you ever thought of yourself that way? More valuable than a lot of the most common of birds? On the surface it doesn’t appear you’re worth much. Cheer up, let’s look deeper. These words were expressed by Jesus to his disciples. He was making a point that we should not fear those who […]
PRAYERS “If prayer is anything, then it is everything.” This is attributed to a Puritan pastor many years ago. This statement is so far reaching and so profound, at least to me. As I was dwelling on this and many scriptures on prayer, I was led to create an acronym. Praise Repentance Adoration Yearning Entreating Responding […]
As you walk through life, there are many directions and choices that confront you. Attaining some level of wealth is on most people’s mind. Nothing wrong with that. But many fall into the trap of securing enough wealth so they don’t really need much else. It is supposed to buy you happiness. You feel blessed, […]