April 2025

Just a Nickel

[280 words] Candy manufacturer Clarence Crane wanted a “summer candy” that could withstand heat better than chocolate. So, he came up with what was called the  “Life Saver” due to its shape resembling that of a traditional ring-style life preserver. But he did not have much luck selling it. So he sold the rights to…

The Beggar’s Plea

[305 words] In our country, there are varied views when it comes to beggars. Some people are sympathetic, desiring to help the beggar in some way and would like to attempt to alleviate their suffering. Others view the beggar with contempt and cynicism, believing that they are lazy scam artists. It is now commonplace to…

Learners or Disciples

[209 words] Those that become disciples of Jesus must learn His doctrine and followed Him as teacher. Jesus Christ must be viewed as the only begotten Son of God and Master Teacher. His followers must be learners or disciples. The disciples of Jesus come to Him for forgiveness of sins. Forgiveness is in Jesus and…

When the Bill Collector Calls

[398 words] We live in a society of indebtedness. In 2024, the average household debt was well over $100k. Our nation’s debt has climbed into the trillions of dollars. Being in debt seems to be an inescapable part of life for most of us. If not for getting a loan, most of us would have…

What Makes a Successful Church?

[324 words] The answer to that question depends on whom you ask. Most people think a successful church is measured in large numbers, big budgets, programs that meet their needs, and state-of-the-art facilities. However, none of those “standards” are proof of success. In fact, each one of those standards could just as well be present…

Why Do We Doubt?

[507 words] Doubt is common. We all experience it to one degree or another at one time or another. Nothing is accomplished by pretending we don’t have questions. We must be honest with ourselves…each other… with God. We must trust God to see us through the difficult moments. Like a loving father, God patiently listens…

Too Tired?

[439 words] John Mulkey was a restoration preacher who lived from 1806-1882. He did a lot of preaching in mid-southern Kentucky and northern Tennessee. Here is what it was like to go to worship in those days: “Reader, allow me to offer you a picture, after my own fashion. It is not in the least…

How to Overcome Our Mistakes

[245 words] Men and women have long striven to be free from making mistakes. But the truth is, no one is exempt from slip-ups, errors and blunders. Not only are mistakes a fact of life, they are also good teachers. Plutarch once said: “To make no mistakes is not in the power of man; but…

Life is in the Blood

[417 words] If you have ever went to the doctor for a checkup and had a blood test done, likely you received a report that showed many results. Now, I remember from science class many moons ago that the blood delivers nutrients and oxygen to the body’s cells. But our blood carries so much more…

Jonah and the Love of God

[303 words] Before you criticize Jonah too severely, put yourself in his place. God commanded him to preach to Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian empire. Assyria was a fierce and dreaded enemy of Israel. I could make you nauseous with details of the Assyrians’ cruelty to their enemies. The worse the pain they could…

Choose Heaven

[120 words] Did you know that hell was not created for people (Matthew 25:41)? However, heaven was made for mankind (John 14:2-3). Anyone who does the will of the Father can choose to go there (Revelation 22:14). Hell is a horrible place. It is a place of constant and eternal torment (Mark 9:47-48). Why would…

And God, Could You…

[274 words] Events unfolding this past week reminded me of something that happened when our children were very young. Our four-year old son was sitting down to eat his breakfast. As we bowed to pray to God, he asked God to help his cough get better and to help his sister get well and not…

What a Difference a Day Makes

[350 words] I just had a birthday. It was a birthday that ends in zero. This is the seventh one I’ve had. It was a birthday that caused me to reflect on my life. The reflections cause me to look backward and forward. When I was growing up, old folks used to say: “time flies.”…

How to Rear Angry Children

[228 words] It is a great point of prudence in a father not to provoke his children to wrath (Colossians 3:21). How may fathers provoke their children to wrath? 1. By using abusive terms. Saul called Jonathan a “son of the perverse, rebellious woman” (1 Samuel 20:30). Some parents use imprecations and curses to their…

Did You Know This About Psalms?

[91 words] Psalms is a book of praises to God written by a number of different authors.  About 73 of them are attributed to David, twelve were by Asaph, ten are by the sons of Korah, two are authored by Solomon, and one by Moses. About 50 are anonymous. But have you ever heard of…

Did You Know This About Proverbs?

[100 words] The book of Proverbs contains instructions for how to relate to God, neighbors, parents, children, and even the government. The principle author is Solomon, although Agur and Lemuel both wrote a chapter. First Kings 4:32 says that Solomon wrote 3,000 proverbs and 1,005 songs. But only 800 of the proverbs are recorded in…

Did You Know This About Ecclesiastes?

[124 words] Jewish tradition says that Solomon wrote Song of Solomon during his youthful years, Proverbs during his middle years, and Ecclesiastes in his later years.  In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon identifies himself seven times as the “preacher,” a translation of the Hebrew word qoheleth (co-HELL-et). It has the meaning of “leader of the…

Did You Know This About Song of Solomon?

[134 words] Solomon is mentioned 7 times in this book, which is presented as a love song depicting Solomon’s romantic pursuit of a Shulamite girl. The book is arranged like scenes in a drama, and is filled with metaphors and near-eastern imagery. Perhaps one of the most striking features of the song is the richness…

Bible Quiz: Matthew 13:36-43

[89 words] “Then Jesus sent the __ away and went into the __.” “He who sows the good seed is the Son of __. The field is the __, the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but the tares are the sons of the wicked one.” “The enemy who owed them is the…

Bible Quiz: Matthew 13:44-52

[113 words] The kingdom of heaven is like __ hidden in a field. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful __, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and __ all that he had and bought…

Bible Quiz: Matthew 13:53-58

[56 words] True or False: The people in His own country were not very impressed with His teaching in the synagogue.  “Where did this Man get this __ and these __ works?” The people understood Jesus to be a __’s son. Did Jesus have brothers and sisters? “A prophet is not without __ except in…

Bible Quiz: Matthew 14:1-12

[72 words] Herod the tetrarch thought Jesus was __ the __ risen from the dead. Herod imprisoned the prophet because he had told him it was not lawful for him to have __, his brother __’s wife. The __ of Herodias danced before Herod at his __ celebration. She asked for __’s head on a…

Quotes and Sayings (April 2025)

“Let nothing disturb thee, Let nothing affright thee, All things are passing, God changeth never.” — Henry Wadsworth Longfellow “Between two stools one sits on the ground.” — French proverb “A door must either be shut or open.” — Anonymous  “Necessity is the mother of taking chances.” — Mark Twain “Freedom is nothing else but…

On the Lighter Side (April 2025)

A lot of people mistake a short memory for a clear conscience. — “Do you believe in life after death?” the boss asked one of his employees.  “Yes, sir,” the new recruit replied.  “Well, then, that makes everything just fine,” the boss went on, “because after you left early yesterday to go your grandmother’s funeral,…