Maybe you’ve done this in your celebration of Thanksgiving. In many church and family celebrations, we have gone around the room sharing the reasons we give thanks. Most often, we expressed our gratitude for what we have – friends and family, the blessings of living in this country, some degree of health, and good cooks … [Read more…]
Following Jesus isn’t easy. For many who have grown up in the church or who have been in the church for a long time, that seems like a ridiculous statement. “Of course it’s easy! You hear the gospel, believe the gospel, and get saved. Easy.” Or “You read the Bible and do what it says. … [Read more…]
It’s been said that the music that is popular when you become a Christian is what you regard as “church music.” I became a Christian, baptized on my twelfth birthday, in 1982, so my go-to music is the contemporary Christian music of the 1980s – Petra, Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, 2nd Chapter of Acts, … [Read more…]
My habit for the last several summers has been to preach through a book of the Old Testament. Last summer we followed the nation of Israel through the book of Numbers. Beginning with their departure from Mt. Sinai where God gave them his law, the book of Numbers recorded Israel’s forty-year journey to the land … [Read more…]
I have fond memories of my family’s abilities and habits of gardening, especially when I consider the expense of good produce. When Mom planned salads for supper through the summer, we simply stepped out the back door, grabbed some lettuce and a tomato or two, and prepped it in minutes. It’s easy to think how … [Read more…]
“What’s in your wallet?” Remember that ad campaign? The financial corporation Capital One advertised their credit cards for a while using that tagline and showing how having their card in one’s wallet was beneficial for taking care of all kinds of everyday situations, from simple daily purchases to emergencies to vacations. Obviously, the corporation was … [Read more…]
Twenty years ago, Sandi and I shared a cellphone, and we had that one for only a couple of years. It was a simple Nokia candy-bar-style phone. It didn’t have a camera, but it had a game or two. We didn’t pay for texting because we didn’t really know anyone we could text. Back then, … [Read more…]
I’ve mentioned this before, but Easter has always been my favorite holiday. I remember the world celebrating Easter with much more commercial enthusiasm than I think we see today, but even as a kid I knew, just as with Christmas, that Jesus is the reason for the season. I chalk that up to being raised … [Read more…]
Recently, I’ve seen a number of articles and videos warning users of Amazon’s Kindle Books and E-readers about a dramatic change in the terms of service. You have probably experienced something similar. Credit card companies, banks, loan companies, internet and phone providers, and other businesses often send out email and letters to let us know … [Read more…]
It is a dangerous thing to approach God casually. Early in Israel’s history, the Philistines captured the Ark of the Covenant. What was meant to be approached only once each year by the High Priest to make atonement for the sins of the whole nation, the people tried to use the Ark as a “secret … [Read more…]