In the May 2017 issue of Christian Standard magazine there are two news items that have affected me personally. Both are tributes to ministry leaders I have known who have passed away. Mike Grooms was the preacher at the church in Northern Kentucky where I was a part-time youth minister while I was studying at … [Read more…]
The April 2017 issue of Christian Standard focused on the question, “Why are we so afraid?” Throughout the issue there are articles about living in a culture of fear and how to resist it. One article was written by a couple who have been missionaries in England for the past twenty some years. Having returned … [Read more…]
If you were to ask our financial secretary, he might tell you that he has a full-time job answering calls from the gas and electric companies offering to save us money on our utilities. With all the calls we receive, it’s pretty obvious that power is big business. And we would certainly notice if our … [Read more…]
I recently heard an anecdote about a college professor in a life sciences course who often asked this “stumper” question on a test: Of the six nutrients that are essential to building and maintaining a healthy life, which is the most important? While the students were usually able to name the six nutrients – carbohydrates, … [Read more…]
As I write this note, it’s 50 degrees and raining. That’s not what we’d expect for a mid-winter day, but I’m not complaining. Typically, we would expect to be nestled away in our homes, hopefully insulated against the cold. As winter progresses, I would be surprised if we didn’t find ourselves dealing with snow and … [Read more…]
As we approach the new year, we are planning our annual congregational meeting for Sunday, January 8, immediately following the worship service. In this meeting we will be approving the candidates for elders, deacons, and trustees who have been identified by the nominating committee and approving the budget proposed for 2017. According to our bylaws, … [Read more…]
Beginning January 1, 2017, we will launch a year of biblical literacy. Throughout this next year, we will focus on reading the Bible on our own as individuals and studying the Bible together through the Sunday morning sermon, through Sunday school lessons, in small group studies here in the church building and in our homes. … [Read more…]
Unfortunately, it seems that Thanksgiving has become become the starting point of a season of self-indulgence. It begins with a meal that is often characterized by an abundance of food, generous portions, and multiple servings – and then pie. Thanksgiving Day and “Black Friday” then launch a nationwide shopping spree that won’t take a break … [Read more…]
Have you seen that video of the grandfather who received a gift of adult-sized, light-up sneakers? As he opened the shoebox, he seemed rather underwhelmed by the lime green shoes. But when the soles started flashing, he jumped in his seat and then he jumped out of his seat. “Oh! Get out of town!” he … [Read more…]
I don’t know when this distinction was first made, but for some reason, many Christians draw a line between being a Christian and being a disciple. It seems that the distinction is more a matter of degree, that being a Christian is a kind of “entry level” faith and that being a disciple is more … [Read more…]