We had what appeared to be a very good day yesterday at church. Attendance was good, we had visitors, the contribution was encouraging. I noted that folks were talking about a new day and new possibilities. Indeed, we have come a long way in the last three years. After a difficult time, we have found …
Category Archives: Christian living
A New Day
Today is a new day. Well, of course! Sunday, March 28, 2010. A day we have never seen before, new challenges, new opportunities, unseen possibilities. I am thinking of something different. Today is a new day–the first day of a new chapter of my life. I will not preach today, nor next Sunday, nor the …
I Am Resolved….
God has an incredibly big plan for our world. We can only know that plan by the revelation of God. We will not learn that plan through natural revelation–by looking at the world. We may conclude that God exists by natural revelation, but to understand the details of God’s plan for his creation requires supernatural …
Pray for our Nation
[Early this morning, I got an email from my friend, H.M. Motsinger, with the following information and request. I want to share it as broadly as I can this day, beginning on this page.] 2 Chronicles 7:14. I remember reading about the children of Israel who turned from God time and time again, only to …
The Wonders of our World and of our God
The Psalmist wrote that the heavens declare the glory of God and that the firmament shows his handiwork (Psalm 19). Natural revelation is affirmed in Scripture many times. Today I am thinking about “natural revelation” and seeing God in the capacities and opportunities he has given humankind. I got a phone call on Friday–really a …
Heroes
A few years ago a reporter confronted a well-known sports figure who had had a run-in with the law and had received a lot of negative publicity. The reporter suggested that sports figures should avoid actions that set a negative example for youth, because we expect our heroes to behave better. The sports figure responded, “I …
Church: Where the Gifts of God Come into View
[Today, I share my ‘bits from bob’ article from last week’s church bulletin.] In the church of Jesus Christ, the gifts of God are in glorious view. The church is made up of many members. In the church is made obvious that every Christian has gifts. These gifts are to be used for the wellbeing …
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Shine in 2009
[Today I am sharing my bulletin article for this week.] In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus’ first recorded discourse, Matthew’s Gospel records these words of Jesus, “You are the light of the world” (Matt. 5:11-16). Our congregational theme for the last several years has reflected this idea. Although Jesus is the light of the …
Sticktuitiveness
I am preaching today on Paul’s advice for enduring, “Secrets of Endurance”, as I continue a series in 2 Corinthians. What are the keys to perseverance? What will help us endure for the long haul? How can we keep on keeping on, in the face of adversity? Here is one version of what Paul says. Look …
Making Ministry Attractive
I spent some time recently with a brother in Christ whom I had not seen for several years. In recent years, he has moved from ministry to academics, taking a path roughly parallel to my own experience over the past 15 years as I have alternated between the world of ministry and the world of …