Where Sunday's Message Meets Everyday Life

  • Ask God First

    I have been going through 1 Samuel during my quiet time this month.  There is a lot of truth to glean from those chapters, but what struck me this morning was the contrast between King Saul and future king David.  Saul had God’s favor, but soon the King quit consulting the Lord at all.  He Continue reading

  • Simple Can Be Better

    A New York family decided to leave the crowded city and head for the wide-open spaces. They bought a ranch out West, where they intended to raise cattle. A month later as they were driving some visiting New York friends from the airport to the ranch, the friends asked if they had picked out a Continue reading

  • Prayer

    When I was a child I remember being in awe of an older man in church because of the way that he prayed.  It sounded so majestic.  He used “thee” and “thou” in what sounded like just the right places.  His voice had this air of holiness about it.  Yet even though his words were Continue reading

  • How Good Is Good Enough?

    I just finished re-reading the short book “Since Nobody’s Perfect … How Good is Good Enough?” by Andy Stanley.  It is a simple read (about 2 hours).  There are deep biblical truths revealed, but they are presented in an easy-to-understand way. Stanley presents the dilemma that faces most thoughtful people.  If there is a heaven, Continue reading

  • Forgetting How Big God Is

    I encountered the writings of A.W. Tozer shortly after I became a Christian in college. With the power of His words he challenged me to consider the awesomeness of God and the importance of living a life that honors Him. For instance, Tozer wrote: “Sometimes when we get overwhelmed we forget how big God is.” Continue reading

  • Bible Study Tools

    Obviously I believe that reading and studying God’s Word is crucial for our spiritual health.  Bill Lewis mentioned referenced this important truth yesterday in his testimony quoting a portion of Isaiah 55.  Here is the reference in full:  “For just as rain and snow fall from heaven, and do not return there without saturating the Continue reading

  • The Importance of Compassion

    Tertullian, a Christian writer from the 2nd century, gives us an insight into the hearts of early believers. He reported that the Romans would exclaim, “See how they love one another!” Justin Martyr, another Christian leader from about the same time as Tertullian, gives us another glimpse into Christian love. He writes, “We who used Continue reading

  • The Intercom

    At the end of their first date, a teenage boy takes his date home. Emboldened by the night, he decides to try for a kiss. With an air of confidence, he leans with his hand against the wall and, smiling, he says to her, “Brenda, how about a goodnight kiss?” Horrified, she replies, “Ronald! Are Continue reading

  • Your Obituary …

    In 20 years of ministry, I have officiated at quite a few funerals.  Very often I would be asked by the family to go with them to the funeral home to help make arrangements.  I have listened to the family struggle to find the words to express their memories of their loved one so that Continue reading

  • The Valley of the Shadow of Death

    Apart from God’s promise of eternal life to all who believe in His Son Jesus, there is no promise that life for us on this earth will last beyond this moment. This has certainly hit home for many in Greene County recently. “He was so young,” is a comment I have heard over and over. Continue reading