December 2015, Vol. 34, No. 12 Archives

Three Tenses of Titus 2:11–13

[41 words] 1. Past Tense: God’s Grace has appeared to all men (2:11). 2. Present Tense: God’s Grace instructs us to leave sin and live righteously (2:12). 3. Future Tense: God’s Grace causes us to look for Christ’s coming (2:13). Mark Posey via House to House, Heart to Heart… We are sorry, but this…

Spend Time With Your Kids!

[96 words] In the diary of Brooks Adams is a note about a special day when he was eight years old. He wrote, “Went fishing with my father; the most glorious day of my life.” Through the next forty years, there were constant references to that day and the influence it had on his…

Come into His Presence with Singing

[202 words] “Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the lands! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his pres-ence with singing. Know that the Lord is God! It is he that made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving,…

Parents, Please Read: There’s Trouble in the Land

[328 words] There’s trouble in the land. No wide-awake person will deny that! These upheavals have caused many parents to express apprehension concerning the future of their children. That’s understandable. When our children graduate from high school and leave home, many of them also leave the church. Suddenly they are exposed to an environment…

A Short ‘Christmas’ Quiz

[521 words] At this time of the year, more will be said about the birth of Jesus than at any other time of the year. Yet, each year I can’t help but be a bit disturbed by all the biblical ignorance and inaccuracies associated with the birth of our Savior. When it comes…

Be Angry, And Yet Do Not Sin

[158 words] It was close to the end of the Broncos/Colts game. Denver’s Von Miller and Colt’s Dwayne Allen were in a discussion when Bronco’s Aquib Talib ran over and jabbed his fingers into Allen’s eye. This action cost the Broncos the game, Peyton Manning was cheated out of the NFL career yardage and…

The Three M’s

[359 words] In 1 Peter 4:11 the apostle Peter wrote, “If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion…

‘The Bible Means Exactly What It Says,’ Sort Of

[243 words] You might hear the above phrase from time to time, and it is a fair phrase. But we must be cautious; sometimes, the Bible doesn’t mean exactly what it says. Sometimes, God says one thing, but means something else. For example, Jesus said, “If thy hand offend thee [causes you to sin,…

Are You Open?

[273 words] Sometimes I forget that it is a holiday and drive to the bank to deposit a needed check, only to see a sign on the door that reads “Closed.” Frustrating. On one summer night a few years ago, my wife and I were craving some Maggie Moo’s Ice Cream. We made the…

This is Just the Elevator

[305 words] The story is told of a farmer who called into a radio station during a contest, and being the fifth caller, he was given an all expense trip paid to New York City. The farmer was absolutely overwhelmed by his trip and the new experiences. A stretch limo picked him up and…

‘Where Has Brother and Sister So-and-So Been?’

[276 words] One of the most frequently asked questions to a preacher is, “Where has brother and sister so-and-so been lately?” This question is generally asked by a member who has noticed that another member has been missing services. It’s good that folks recognize when others are missing. It tells me they miss them.…

Momentous Decisions

[226 words] Not every decision you make will be a major one. It matters not which type of car you buy, as long as it is not a lemon! It does not matter whether you wear a suit and tie or some other modest outﬁt to worship. But some decisions are life changing. Some…

Being ‘Other’-Oriented is Not Just for Christmas!

[207 words] A common reference people use when referring to our society today is “the ME generation.” The accusation refers to the perceived attitude of selfishness portrayed by many in modern-day America. Is this harsh judgement fair? I certainly think so! All one must do is to engage in some minor investigation into the…

Hope

[275 words] My great-grandson is counting the days until Christmas. Almost every morning as we leave for school he will tell me how many days are left until the holiday arrives. He has “hope“ of getting presents, of being out of school for two weeks. and for all the good times that are waiting. …

Eight Gifts That Do Not Cost a Cent

[181 words] The Gift of Listening. But you must really listen. No interrupting, no daydreaming, no planning your response. Just listening. The Gift of Affection. Be generous with appropriate hugs, kisses, pats on the back, and handholds. Let these small actions demonstrate the love you have for family and friends. The Gift of Laughter.…