January 2021, Vol. 40, No. 1

A Nation Wounded

[259 words] It seems our nation is wounded, and respect for the views of others and the Constitution has left us uncertain and in chaos. We do not know what might happen in days to come. We have no regard for mob behavior and despise violence. Uncontained violence has reared its ugly head for a…

A Masterpiece Takes Time

[300 words] The stereotypical view of artistry is of the chaotic genius giving birth to great works of art and music in fits of creative energy. One moment a blank canvas, the next a masterpiece; one instant an empty score, the next a symphony. However, an investigation into the facts does not support this view. …

Accomplishing Your New Year’s Resolutions

[408 words] What New Year’s resolutions have you made? Most will have made ones that were designed to make their lives or the lives around them better. Such resolutions may include: losing weight, stopping a bad habit, exercising more, becoming more organized, or having a better attitude. Now, I’m not going to be sarcastic like…

When Hate Dominates Your Thinking

[188 words] This week, we witnessed first-hand what happens when negative emotions are allowed to dominate our thinking. We watched as folks – most of which had good intentions – stormed our capitol building in Washington, D.C. Property was damaged. Individuals were injured. People lost their lives. And now, their very cause has earned disrespect.…

Amen to What is Right

[211 words] Of all the goofy, depressing, and astounding things that happened recently (take your pick), my jaw literally dropped at the choice of a veteran congressman and denominational minister to finish his congressional prayer with “amen and a-woman” (not to mention the blasphemous content of his prayer). Did you know the word “amen” is…

What’s On Your Mind?

[160 words] What are you thinking about these days? I am guessing if you are like a lot of people and have a steady diet of listening to the media, then you might not be thinking on the best of things. In fact, listening to the media can be depressing. One counselor made the comment…

To The End

[471 words] I was looking at a display in a Civil War Museum when I noticed an old letter. A Confederate soldier wrote the letter to his wife in August 1864. He mentioned some interesting things about the war and the times, but what really impressed me was how he closed the letter. I expected…

The End of the Matter

[290 words] Stephen Covey famously suggested that one of the habits of highly effective people is that they “begin with the end in mind.” I was thinking of that phrase recently while studying the book of Ecclesiastes at the very time that we have started a brand new year. Seeing that this is January of…

Craving Perspective in the Valley

[439 words] People in the valley often have little perspective on how big the mountains really are, how long the range is, or what is waiting on the other side. Isn’t it wonderful to know that whatever valleys life tries to shove us into, God has provided perspective we badly need, yes, even crave? What…

Hope is Not in the Kingdoms of Men

[524 words] One of my favorite Bible prophets is Jeremiah. He was faithful to God in a time that being so meant persecution and punishment. It was not only foreign kings hating Jeremiah, but, so did his own people. He was imprisoned in a mucky, miry pit for being true to his true King. It…

Inconceivable!

[284 words] In James 1:14-15, James explained the process that leads to the birth of sin. “Each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin.” It’s interesting to note that temptation isn’t something that enters into people; rather, people…

2021: Do You Have Room for Jesus?

[176 words] Even though we have moved into the digital age, I continue to use a paper planner. I like being able to write thoughts, ideas, and make plans while turning pages. Each little block on a calendar represents 24 hours. As we write and plan on each block, do we make room for Jesus?…

God Can, But Should He?

[508 words] We marvel at the scene of the tomb of Lazarus. Rightly so. How often is divine power on such spectacular display? The impact of Jesus raising dead Lazarus is evidenced by the thinking of Jewish leaders to kill Lazarus. His being alive was bringing so many people to faith in Jesus that these…

Jesus Never Quit!

[364 words] Jesus did not quit meeting with His disciples because Judas was a thief, nor because Peter was fickle at times. He didn’t quit preaching and living right because some of His brethren were unforgiving and unkind. He did not quit His post of leadership because He had in His presence the adulterous woman,…

The Preacher’s Wife

[140 words] She heard all his stories andlaughed at all his jokes. She listened to every sermonWhich he ever spoke. She took care of their children All alone in the pew.As she listened to her husband Proclaim the good news. She saw him in tears as on his knees he did pray,For those that were…

The Pursuit of Happiness

[92 words] When I lay my head at the end of the dayHaving pursued self and selfish playMy mind is restless and preoccupiedAnd my heart’s uneasy and ungratified. When I rest my head at the end of the dayHaving helped another push burdens awayMy mind is content and satisfiedAnd my heart is happy and fortified.…

Details

[439 words] I am a “detail” oriented person. As a music director, I spent much time paying attention to the smallest of details. At least, that is what most of my students thought. They always questioned the need to repeat a section of music, or the need to do a marching formation “one more time.”…

A New Car! (Just Kidding)

[202 words] A few years ago some friends and I attended the Fort Worth Stock Show. There a local radio station was having a drawing to win a truck. A girl from our group decided to fill out as many entry forms as she could. Turns out it worked! The next week she gets a…

Be Strong!

[86 words] Be strong! We are not here to play, to dream, to drift: We have hard work to do and loads to lift; Shun not the struggle: face it ‘tis God’s gift. Be strong! Say not the days are evil who’s to blame? And fold the hands and acquiesce O shame! Stand up, speak…

Our Country Needs Changes Toward Service

[177 words] The United States of America needs to make some serious changes toward serving God. We need to begin today to speak only kind, loving and respectful words. The faithful Christian speaks kind, loving words of appreciation to others. “Let your speech be alway with grace” (Colossians 4:6). The speech of a Christian must…

Bible Quiz: 1 Peter 2:6-10

[69 words] “Behold I lay in Zion a chief __, elect, precious, and he who __ on Him will by no means be put to shame.”“The stone which the builders __ has become the chief __.”Peter says Christians are a __ generation and a royal __.True or False: Christians are God’s own special people.“…who once…

Bible Quiz: 1 Peter 2:11-17

[63 words] “Beloved, I beg you as __ and __, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul.”What type conduct should Christians display among the Gentiles?“…that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your __ __ which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.”“Therefore submit yourselves to __ __…

Bible Quiz: 1 Peter 2:18-25

[68 words] True or False: Servants were to be submissive to their masters, whether they were good and gentle or whether they were harsh.“For what __ is it if, when you are beaten for your __, you take it __?”“For to this you were called, because __ also __ for us…”True or False: Christ committed…

Bible Quiz: 1 Peter 3:1-6

[67 words] “__, be submissive to your own __,”Is it possible for someone to won to Christ by observing Christian behavior?“Do not let your adornment be merely __ — arranging the __, wearing __, or putting on fine __ —“The true adornment of a Christian woman should be the hidden person of the __, with…

Bible Quiz: 1 Peter 3:7-12

[68 words] “Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with __, giving __ to the wife…”“Finally, all of you be of one __, having __ for one another…”Name three qualities Peter uses in verse 8 to describe the kind of actions Christians should have toward one another.“…not returning __ for __ or __ for __, but on…

Quotes and Sayings (January 2021)

“Prayer is not a hard requirement – it is the natural duty of a creature to its creator, the simplest homage that human need can pay to divine liberality.” — Charles Spurgeon “The right way to pray is to stretch out our hands and ask of One who we know has the heart of a…

On the Lighter Side (January 2021)

Governmental Talent Curtis and Leroy saw an ad in the newspaper and bought a mule for $100. The farmer agreed to deliver the mule the next day. The next morning the farmer drove up and said, “Sorry, fellows, I have some bad news, the mule died last night.” Curtis and Leroy replied, “Well, then just…