Lance Cordle

How Can Increase My Dependence Upon God?

[296 words] “For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10). I can begin each day with prayer that includes thanks. I can replace the question, “Why has God done this to me?” with, ”How has…

Assumptions: Some Do’s and Don’ts

[295 words] You can safely assume: • That God loves you (John 3:16; Romans 5:8). • That the price of your sins was paid by Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:21). • That your past sins were washed away— forgiven—at your baptism (Acts 22:16; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11). • That you can be faithful to God (Revelation 2:10).…

On Demand

[507 words] Several factors have led to a trend in recent years concerning television viewing. One of those factors is the availability of digital recording. With digital video recording (DVR), viewers can record and store multiple programs for later playback. They can then recall the program on demand. That is simply to say that they…

His Name Is Christian, But He Isn’t One

[500 words] Various and odd instances brought me into contact with a man whose first name is Christian. He had been through some trying times and needed help. In the process of things being done, I asked some of the usual background questions and in so doing received answers which seemed to indicate a possible…

The Church Roll and Body Parts

[532 words] In our ongoing efforts to be the church, the body of Christ, I can’t help but wonder if many folks are missing some vital points. We rightly preach baptism for remission of sins (Acts 2:38). We rightly teach that it is God who adds us to his church (Acts 2:47), and ultimately, he…

Am I Your Enemy…?

[393 words] (Galatians 4:16) …if l encourage you (as a young adult) to work through emotions and look realistically (as much as possible) upon the person you are about to marry? …if l note your sincerity and effort in serving Christ and compliment you at every chance I get? …if I take note of your…

Curiosity About the Bible

[431 words] Curiosity is an exciting aspect of life. Parents love to see their children explore and discover their world. Likewise, teachers enjoy seeing students come to class with curiosity and a hunger for learning. Curiosity about the Bible is expected and natural as well. Who can help but be moved to seek answers to…

People and Challenges

[402 words] Why is that so many people take the challenge to run in a marathon, but won’t enter the race of faith (Hebrews 12:1-2)? Why is it that so many people develop the skill of self control to engage in an athletic contest, but fail to develop that skill when it comes to their…

Affirmation

[379 words] Humans need it. We want others to give it freely, not grudgingly. We want it to come without prompting and we would love for it to happen on a regular basis. However, most of us are of such disposition we do not need it every day or, for that matter, every week, But…

Don’t Quarrel Along the Way!

[558 words] As is so often the case, a fresh reading of scripture brings a fresh perspective and new insight on passages we have read many times. Such was true with me as I recently perused the story of Joseph and his brothers as recorded in the last few chapters of Genesis. As you know,…

Mirror Moments

[495 words] Recently I was asked why God repeated his question to Elijah during the incident recorded for us in 1 Kings 19. Before I give you my answer (opinion), let me briefly set the context for you. Elijah had just achieved great victories. He had confronted the prophets of Baal and challenged them to…

People Identified With Him

  [437 words] September 22, 2015 will be remembered as “the day Yogi died.” Lawrence Peter “Yogi” Berra was loved by millions of people even though he played for a baseball team that many did not like. His outstanding ability and endurance on the field made him a star, but his humble personality and wise…

Prevention

  [337 words] Scenes from the past stroll across my memory as l hear the words “fire prevention.” Fire Prevention Week at school brought lessons about fire and its destructive force. Really neat, plastic helmets, “just like the ones firemen wear” adorned the heads of school children. Plastic badges and the title “Jr. Fire Marshall”…

What Would You Expect?

[344 words] If you got in your car and drove in the direction given by a sign that said “Paducah, KY–20 miles,” what would you expect to find after driving twenty miles? If you passed a sign that said the are you were driving in an area patrolled by policemen with radar, and you drove…

The Snowball Effect

[398 words] Much of the news this week concerned the snow storm affecting the northeastern section of the USA. Though it was responsible for approximately two feet of snow in some areas, it did not reach the extreme levels that were predicted and anticipated. I am thankful that it did not result in widespread harm…

Hating is Serious Business

[494 words] Some of those reading this can recall a television show called “Our Gang.” It flourished in the 1920’s, ’30s and ’40s, but enjoyed a comeback in the ’70s. It featured a lovable group of kids who occasionally got into mischief. Viewers identified with “Spanky,” “Alfalfa,” “Buckwheat” and others of the regular cast. One…

Maintaining the Connection

Summertime is in full swing, and with it the tendency for families to drift from closeness within the church because of family travel and activities. Here are a few suggestions to help maintain that connection. I will use the term “home church” for convenience and lack of a better one. Resolve that you will be…

Lights In the Darkness

(from Ephesians 4-6) Lights in the darkness are Christians who: • Walk worthy of their calling (4:1) • Are humble (4:2) • Are gentle (4:2) • Are patient (4:2) • Bear with one another in love (4:2) • Are eager to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (4:3) • Are…

‘A Time to Embrace’

I had not heard of the “hug lady” until this past Saturday, January 2, 2016. Because of the political nature of most stories, I usually avoid the national news shows as much as possible. However, that day I happened to be watching the last segment. The news was that the hug lady had died (http://www.nbcnews.com/nlghtly-news/video/fort-hood-s–hug-Iady–…

Real Reality

[373 words] Shortly after a Cub’s game, Yusef Dale, a blind man carrying a cane, was standing near the curb outside Wrigley Field in Chicago. He tried repeatedly and unsuccessfully to ‘flag down” a taxi in order to travel home. Casey Spelman, from Indiana, was a stranger to Yusef and was standing nearby with her…

Not for Hire

As I was traveling recently, I came to a stop at a traffic signal and a semi truck pulled along beside me. I do not remember the name on the logo, but I do remember seeing the following three words prominently displayed: NOT FOR HIRE. It seems that phrase means it was a private carrier,…

At the End of the Day

[373 words] For about a month or so, recently, news reports were marked with frequent mentions about an ongoing kidnapping case. It involved a fifty-year-old-man (who was a public school teacher) and a fifteen-year-old girl (a student at the school) from Tennessee. The media reported how the teacher persuaded the young girl to go with…

A New Year is Like…

  [206 words] • A day yet to dawn. • A battle yet to be fought. • A mountain yet to be climbed. • A journey yet to be begun. • A chapter yet to be written. • A book yet to be read. • A blank sheet yet to be filled. • A new…

Our Purpose

[365 words] An interesting phenomenon is occurring across North America this winter. Individuals and groups are making some things to help those who are cold and in need. The things are scarves and they are turning up in unusual places—wrapped around trees, fire hydrants, light poles, hanging on fences, etc. On a fire hydrant, a…

A Kindness Tracker

[474 words] You have probably seen one. It looks like a watch, yet sleeker. I believe it does keep time, though. It can come in a variety of colors. It keeps track of the steps you take and monitors your pulse and sleep patterns. It is very popular and was one of the most purchased…