400-499 words Archives - Bulletin Digest

Feeling the Tension?

[440 words] It was the year 54 A.D. Rome, the most powerful nation on earth, coronated its new leader Nero, the adopted son of the previous ruler Claudius. The church was just over twenty years old. The movement that was small at first had spread throughout the Empire. These early Christians could not have imagined…

Beware of YouTube Prophets

[426 words] I have noticed on YouTube several people claiming the Holy Spirit has revealed to them what is going to happen in the near future. They fancy themselves as inspired, revealing modern day revelations and prophecies. I am reminded of the false prophets of Jeremiah’s day. Jeremiah 23:16-40 is a good example of people…

To Be Noble and Just

[459 words] Do you know how many thoughts you think in a day? One scientific study conducted in 2023 determined that the average human thinks about 6,200 separate thoughts each day! That is like 2,263,000 thoughts a year! That is a lot of thinking! But sadly those same scientists also determined that about 80 percent…

Five Questions about Inner Space

[474 words] You may have heard of a couple of astronauts who are stuck in outer space and can’t return to earth until someone picks them up in February. That is a long time to wait for a ride home! Man has always been interested in the place we call “outer space,” but for all…

Cheers to the Devil

[472 words] Drinking is becoming more accepted in society and in the church. This week within a 24-hour period a deacon in one state and a preacher in another shared their experiences with me. The deacon said they are having trouble reaching young people. Why? His answer: “They want to party.” The preacher related a…

The Best Possible Exercise

[406 words] We live in an age of health-conscious people. Many people are concerned about their health. Many of you are either on a diet or exercise program. I want to share with you the best exercise program. It’s not a new program. People have used it for thousands of years. What is this exercise…

The God of the Storm

[484 words] A storm spells trouble if you work outside. But not for God. He is the Master of bringing good out of chaos. The first book of the Bible shows that the conflict and confusion we cause cannot hinder Him. We talk about family troubles today. But this is as old as mankind. The…

Conduct Worthy of the Calling

[429 words] The fabled “Pony Express” was short lived. It lasted only about a year and a half (April 1860—October 1861). The transcontinental telegraph put an end to the need for the horses and their riders. However, in the brief time it existed, the service made a lasting impact on American history. Before the creation…

Proceed!

[412 words] Earnest Shackleton and his men sailed for Antarctica on the very day that England declared war on Germany in World War One. At their first port of call the party sent word they would abandon their expedition and offered themselves and the ship to their country. But Shackleton received a cable from a…

The ‘Art’ of Singing

[423 words] As a preacher I often sit and look around at the people who are singing. We are singing songs of praise to the God of the universe. We stand in awe at the power and majesty of God. We know this is the same God who created the universe and who will bring…

Not the Same

[494 words] I drive an SUV. It is called a “crossover.” I noticed many of the “crossovers” that are made by different companies in the same year as mine look very similar. If you were to put them all side by side, it would be difficult to tell what company made which vehicle. If you…

An Easier Way?

[496 words] The journey to the promised land was a long, hard road. I am not just talking about the forty years in the wilderness. Long before that trial when Abraham didn’t even have a son, God told him that his descendants would suffer many years in another country. “Know certainly that your descendants will…

Encouragement for Fathers

[401 words] Being a Dad is one of the greatest honors in life, but it’s also one of the most difficult jobs out there. Culture’s skewed expectations and diminishing view of fatherhood haven’t made our work as dads any easier. We know the importance of providing, protecting and leading; but, how do we do that…

The Treasure Stores of Our Hearts

[412 words] After Mary’s scary episode where she and Joseph “lost” the Son of God, when they found and heard Jesus in the temple give His reason why He did what He did, the Bible says, “they did not understand…but His mother kept all these things in her heart” (Luke 2:51-52). We treasure things and…

Homefront Crumbling

[498 words] Douglas MacArthur II (the general’s nephew) worked for the government. The Secretary of State once called his home and asked to speak with him. His wife replied, “He’s not here. He’s where he always is—weekends, nights, Saturdays, Sundays—at the office. You can reach him there.” She had not recognized the Secretary of State’s…

‘ASLSP’

[410 words] Let me start off by saying that 20th century classical music is, by and large, “weird.” John Cage, a late 20th century composer, wrote an 8-page organ piece called “Organ2/ASLSP.” The “ASLSP” means “play it as slow as possible.” Usually this organ piece takes more than an hour to complete. Yet, in 2009,…

Putting God Before You

[426 words] “I have set the Lord always before me; Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved” (Psalms 16:8). A powerful lesson we learn from this text is if we put God before us we will not be moved or shaken. If God is first in our decisions, thoughts, and…

What Kind of Church Should We Be?

[446 words] Play a word game with me. What comes to your mind when you see or hear the word church? Do you picture a steepled building, dark wooden pews, crosses, offering plates? Do you hear hearty singing? Or does church trigger childhood memories of wiggling through sermons, playing tag on the parking lot, and…

The Ermine’s Example

[465 words] There is a unique little animal found in the forests of northern Europe and Asia. It is called the ermine. In the wintertime, the ermine’s fur turns snow-white. It instinctively protects its coat against anything that would soil it, going to great lengths to keep its fur spotless. Fur hunters deviously take advantage…

Your Worst Sin

[442 words] In no way would I ever claim to be a prophet, psychic, or prognosticator. But I can tell you what your worst sin is. Now, I know you’re wondering how I know. Has someone told me that they saw you doing it? No. Have I been looking in your windows at night or…

My Social Media Pledge

[427 words] • I keep a low profile on social media, but I am present there. Below is the pledge I have taken to govern my use of it. I invite you to take it, too. • I will post, comment, and otherwise utilize social media with complete awareness that the all-seeing eye of God…

Go Into All the World

[424 words] “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all nations” (Mark 16:16). So Jesus commissioned His disciples following His resurrection. He sent His men into the world to preach good news to everyone. By application, we are to take the good news of our Savior into the world. If we don’t,…

Pastor Who?

[498 words] Lately, I have been disturbed by the number of preachers and youth directors who have started to refer to themselves as “Pastor so-in-so.” The latest one was a young man who had just graduated from a university associated with churches of Christ. He introduced himself to me as “Pastor Bull”* from XYZ* Church…

Who or What is Shaping Us?

[435 words] “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2). This time of year emphasizes just how special it is to be with family. Gathering around…

Santa’s Reindeer: Propulsion or Navigation?

[451 words] This true “Ask an Engineer” question appeared in 2013 on an MIT website and was also answered by a graduate student. This student deconstructs the poem, “’Twas the Night Before Christmas” to analyze the navigation, guidance system, and control of Santa’s sleigh. It is a truly bizarre read, but nevertheless, with scholarly efficiency,…

When Was Jesus Born?

[458 words] There’s always a great debate about when Jesus was born, specifically what time of the year (although there is also debate about the year itself). It is at this time of the year that many celebrate His birth, but it is unlikely that He was born during the winter months. Our first clue…

The Home of Jesus

[435 words] The headline reads, “Archaeologists Believe They’ve Unearthed Jesus’s Childhood Home” (Popular Mechanics, December 1, 2020). Professor Ken Dark has been credited with making what has been described as “an astonishing find.” It seems that after 14 years of examining a particular dwelling in modern-day Nazareth, Professor Dark has become convinced that it is…

I Learned Something Today

[456 words] In a Bible study with a man recently, in looking at the Scripture, he told me he learned something he didn’t know. This man is in his eighties, maybe close to ninety. It made me realize again that a person is never too old or too young to learn something from the Bible.…

Three Biblical New Year’s Resolutions

[440 words] It is time again to make New Year’s resolutions. Our lives will be blessed in the coming year as we keep these three biblical resolutions. Lose weight. After eating all those holiday season meals, many people resolve to start the New Year off by losing a few pounds. While losing weight may improve…

Black Friday

[444 words] I have been seeing ads recently for “Black Friday.” This used to be the day after Thanksgiving when retailers lure customers with all kinds of special incentives. Now “Black Friday” comes earlier and lasts longer. People line up to get the special “door buster” savings. They will flock to stores and spend large…

Love or Like?

[449 words] The two words above are confusing to many people. I can love someone but not like certain practices. I can love someone because of the soul which God put in him; but, I may not like their life style or habits. God is a God of love (1 John 4:18), but God does…

Life After Death

[412 words] Job asked, “If a man die, shall he live again” (Job 14:14)? Jesus answered that question when he said, “But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the…

Do You Think About the Roman Empire?

[437 words] I am amused and baffled by what amuses and baffles our culture. Trends rise and fall and what is new today is despised and forgotten tomorrow. A video trend today is to ask men how often they think about the Roman Empire. Apparently, it’s a thing now to be amused at (particularly men)…

A Suggestion for More Effective Prayer

[409 words] I hope the title got your attention. Hopefully, every Christian is concerned about not only having a continual habit of prayer, but also that their prayers be effective. Too many times, we start our prayers “Dear God“ and then start our wish list. But I think it’s important to get the proper perspective…

Don’t Believe Everything You Think

[411 words] I admit a curiosity for bumper stickers. On occasion, one succinctly states a great truth or at least provokes reasonable thought. Once I stopped at a light, and the car in front of mine had the sticker, “Don’t believe everything you think!” The more I thought about it, that statement struck me as…

Now It’s Personal

[432 words] Deion Sanders has worn numerous monikers. Neon Deion. Prime Time. These days he is referred to as Coach Prime. Sanders was undisputedly one of the greatest athletes of his generation as he was a two-sport star in both professional baseball and football. These days he is the head football coach for the University…

There’s Just One More Thing

[405 words] “Oh, there’s just one more thing…” There are few things more frustrating than thinking that everything is understood and then there is an addition to the instructions. In the book of Colossians, Paul is addressing a people who have been told, “you have Christ and that’s great…oh yeah, but there’s one more thing…

Call Upon Him

[464 words] For the longest time people had no opportunity to hear the Word of God like we have opportunity today. Not only did this apply to those not trained in the Scriptures, but this applied to those who were supposed to lead and teach the people in matters pertaining to God. However, in a…

Don’t Kill the Zeal!

[439 words] An older preacher once said to a very energetic and zealous younger preacher, “Slow down boy! You act like you are trying to set the world on fire!” The younger preacher said to the older preacher, “Well, if Jesus returned today, I want to be striking matches!” Of course, the context of the…

The Value of Work

[432 words] Working is a part of God’s plan for man’s fulfillment and happiness. After creating the world and making man of the dust, “the LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it” (Gen. 2:15). Paradise was not then nor is now a place of…

What Can You Do to Help?

[443 words] Church growth is not an accident—it’s deliberate. Churches that do not have plans or goals for growth usually do not grow. Having goals are nice, but every member must do their part to achieve these goals. Here are some suggestions for helping the church achieve its goals in attendance and conversions. Identify people.…

We Don’t Study the Bible

[472 words] In a Bible study a few years ago at an assisted living facility, a lady made a startling revelation. She mentioned the name of the group she was associated with; then she said, “We don’t study the Bible.” She then admitted they needed to study it more. When another lady in the class…

A Godly Conduit

[420 words] An electrical conduit is a pathway that delivers electricity safely to an outlet. When electrical wires are not properly passed through a conduit, they carry the potential of being extremely dangerous. The wires need to be protected from fraying and grounding and likewise, we need to be protected from the potential threat of…

I Love the Mountains

[418 words] Although I was born and bred in central Illinois, I love the mountains. I love the thought of them, I love their grandeur, and I love the way they majestically and seemingly endlessly march in procession as far as the eye can see. Maybe there is something about mountains and their connection to…

What is Growing in Your Garden?

[452 words] Change takes time. Peter’s life displays a man who developed spiritually over years with ups and downs. Yet time was not the only factor in Peter’s development. Left to time without proper care and nourishment, stagnation comes, and life that once was present will die out. Peter grew because his lifetime was spent…

Long Enough Arms

[453 words] A group of students from Freed-Hardeman University in Henderson, Tennessee, traveled to the Dominican Republic for a Spring Break mission trip. The group conducted a Vacation Bible School program at a children’s home in Bobita. After their final day of work at the children’s home, team members went to see the ocean. Tragedy…

Expectations of a King

[414 words] On May 6, 2023, the United Kingdom had their first coronation ceremony for a monarch in 70 years. By all accounts, this was an elaborate and fascinating ordeal. Whether you consider yourself to be an Anglophile or not, there is much here to ponder in this special event. • It was estimated that…

Seven Signs

[438 words] The book of John focuses on seven of Jesus’ miracles, and a careful study of each provides us with principles of encouragement. Disappointments? Remember when Jesus addressed an embarrassing moment by turning water into wine? (John 2:1–11). He is still the one to turn to when life turns on us. “At my first…

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[496 words] “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matthew 7:13-14). “I’d rather…

The B-I-B-L-E, Yes, That’s the Book for Me!

[440 words] The Bible is the most amazing document known to mankind. Consider that it is a compilation of 66 different books written by 40 different individuals over the course of 1,600 years, and yet it is perfect in harmony, history, accuracy, and advice. Notice what 2 Timothy 3:16-17 has to say about the Bible:…

‘Go Ahead and Use Some Profanity’

[421 words] Several years ago a friend of mine was being transported by ambulance for treatment at an emergency room. He was suffering with intense pain. One of the attendants on the ambulance, as he sensed my friend’s discomfort, suggested to him, “Go ahead and use some profanity.” He assured my friend this would make…

100 Percent Chance We’ll Be Right Back

[492 words] Recently, while watching “The World’s Funniest Weather” on The Weather Chanel, while going to commercials, the announcer proclaimed, “There’s a 100% chance we’ll be right back.” On a different episode, it was said, “Don’t go away. We’ll be right back in fact.” Another episode proclaimed, “Weather permits, we’ll be right back.” Likely, those…

What is the ‘One Baptism’ in Ephesians 4:5?

[425 words] There are several baptisms mentioned in the New Testament: John’s baptism (Luke 3:16), baptism of the Holy Spirit (Luke 3:16), baptism of fire (Matthew 3:11), and the baptism of the great commission (Acts 8:36-39). But Ephesians 4:5 says there is one baptism. Which of these is the one baptism in Ephesians 4:5? John’s…

What God Has Given, Man Must Receive

[467 words] Joshua 6 is where Israel “fights” the battle of Jericho. In reality, even though Israel took the city, there would be no taking if God had not first given. Hebrews 11 tells us that the faith that took the city of Jericho was the faith that caused the walls to fall down (Heb.…

A Sound Mind

[469 words] There is a real need for us to take care of our bodies. The Bible teaches that we are to “glorify God” in our bodies, and that we are to present our bodies as living sacrifices to God (1 Corinthians 6:20; Romans 12:1). Both of these passages enjoin upon us the responsibility to…

Church Hurt

[465 words] Nearly twenty years ago, I was on the phone with someone in the congregation where we were attending at the time. I made the phone call while on my break at my workplace. Unbeknownst to me, one of my coworkers was listening to the conversation. Well, he could only hear me talking with…

A Warning from the Past

[498 words] As one studies the book of Hebrews one of the things he will be impressed with is the superiority of Jesus. Specifically, we see the superiority of Jesus over one of the most influential individuals in the Old Testament, Moses. Moses was the author of the first five books of the Bible—the Torah.…

Know the Enemy

[469 words] In order to be successful in battle, it is imperative that one knows his enemy. He must know the way the enemy thinks and acts. The more one understands the maneuvers of his foe the better equipped he will be to counter them. The adversary of every child of God is Satan. The…

The Autobiography of Jesus

[415 words] The closest Jesus came to writing a book while on earth was when He stooped in the presence of the sinful woman’s accusers and scratched something in the dirt (John 8:6, 8). He was many things while on earth, but a writer was not one of them. That changed when Jesus returned to…

Legalized Suicide Coming Soon?

[449 words] Among one of the great evils in our modern world is a Canadian invention called “MAID.” No, this isn’t a house-cleaning service. Disguised as a “charitable” way to help those who have permanent disabilities and illness, it is a method to murder yourself. MAID is a physician-assisted suicide. Canadians have their choice. Doctors…

Abiding Dependence

[453 words] During my formative years, my parents constantly talked to me about “reputation” and being “dependable!” They constantly talked to me about doing my best to have a positive reputation of “not” causing other people problems and simply being counted on at school, society, and in the workplace. Simply put, strive to be dependable.…

Giving and Receiving

[448 words] “What are you getting for Christmas?” “What do you want for Christmas?” How many times have you heard these questions lately? Christmas shopping is in full swing. For the next two weeks many gifts will be given and received. Which do you enjoy the most – giving or receiving? Unfortunately, for many people,…

And it Came to Pass

[402 words] An older man once sat in on a class in a Bible college. That day the professor asked his students to share a verse that means a great deal to them. The students were eager to oblige. They offered many great verses, rich with theological implications. When the class finished, the professor asked…

Dinner Therapy

[400 words] So much of Jesus’s public ministry and so many of His conversations with people happened around the dinner table. In fact, most of Luke (1/5 of this gospel account) has to do with Jesus either going to a meal, sitting down and eating a meal, or getting up and leaving from a meal.…

Standing in the Path of Danger

[473 words] In 1969, in Pass Christian, Mississippi, a group of people were preparing to have a “hurricane party” in the face of a storm named Camille. Were they ignorant of the dangers? Could they have been overconfident? Did they let their egos and pride influence their decision? We’ll never know. What we do know…

Stick With It

[439 words] “Footprints in the sands of time are never made by sitting down.” Perseverance, endurance, and plain ole’ stubborn tenacity are needed to hold on to our hope in the midst of difficulty. If our life’s work will leave behind footprints in the sands of time, it will be because we have striven to…

Consider One Another

[442 words] At home, we recently took on the task of cleaning out our attic! Yes, I can hear you groaning as you think about how much fun we had. Well, it wasn’t all bad. In fact, when we take time to declutter any segment of our lives, we actually feel somewhat liberated because we…

Bars of a Castle

[432 words] In ancient times many castles were built on a high place such as a hill. The castle would usually have very thick outer walls. The entrance would have a thick gate with bars to secure it in place. All of these made it difficult for enemies to enter a palace or fortress. They…

The Grind

[457 words] “Back to the grind” is a transitional phrase bridging a brief or extended period of relaxation to the resumption of laborious or repetitive activity. Numerous studies have shown that taking breaks increases focus and productivity. Yet, experience teaches us that it can be difficult to get moving again after a period of rest.…

Acceptable Worship

[409 words] Religious people these days are clamoring for more exciting and appealing ways to conduct worship services. Lost in the shuffle is that fact that we do not determine what is acceptable worship. We merely recognize what God has authorized in His inspired word. Sadly enough, in an effort to attract larger crowds, some…

Can Everyone Sing?

[484 words] Do you believe that everyone can sing?” Does any and everyone who has a voice possess the ability to sing a song? This question is well worth investigating because it has such bearing on our worship and spiritual well-being. The Bible says, “Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,…

God Knows Your Potential

[423 words] The first time the Bible speaks of Gideon is in Judges 6:11. Gideon is hiding in a winepress beating out wheat so the Midianite oppressors will not find it. An angel of the Lord appears and calls him a “mighty man of valor.” The Lord then tells Gideon to “Go in this might…

The Logic of Humility

[401 words] Someone once said, “No one stands at the edge of the Grand Canyon and says, ‘I am awesome.’” Why not? Because when we are confronted by that which is immense and sublime, we are designed to feel at least two things: (1) our own smallness, and (2) the assurance that something huge and…

The Failure of Feelings

[453 words] We all have feelings. We respond to what we perceive around us and within us. Typical feeling statements might include: I feel hungry, I feel sleepy, I feel thirsty, I’m tired, I’m hot, etc. All of these statements describe needs or deficiencies that can be “felt.” You have never asked anyone, “Am I…

Selfless Christianity

[414 words] True Christianity is selfless. The term selfless means “having no concern for self; unselfish.” The Scriptures teach that selfishness will prevent one from being a follower of Christ. Jesus said, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (Matthew 16:24). Practicing self-denial…

The Fountain of Life

[474 words] If you go to the city of St. Augustine, Florida, you can go to an attraction claiming to be the Fountain of Youth. According to legend, Ponce de Leon landed near this site in the year 1535 and claimed a nearby spring to be a source of perpetual youthfulness based on the physiques…

On Remembering Faithful Soldiers

[443 words] Bradford Freeman was just 18 years old when he dropped out of Mississippi State and enlisted in the U.S. Army to become a paratrooper. He was assigned to be a mortarman in Company E, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division. The company name rings a bell from the work of author Stephen…

I Have Made Peace with God

[431 words] There is nothing more important in life than having peace with God. There can be no assurance of salvation or hope of heaven without having peace with God. Therefore, we should all desire to have peace with our Maker. But how can we have such peace? The basic answer to the question is…

To Show Your Work Or Not?

[452 words] When you were a kid were you told that you had to show your work on the math problems you were given to do in class? I will admit I always hatted doing that. Showing others our work is one of the things I think Christians struggle with. There are verses in the…

Cussing Coaches

[458 words] I have often thought about the challenges of coaching sports. Coaches are often scrutinized and criticized for the many tough decisions they make. I’m sure it is a difficult job. However, all jobs have pros and cons. Regardless of one’s occupation, there will be good days and days when we feel as if…

A Compassionate God

[409 words] In the Bible, we are first introduced to the prophet Jonah in 2 Kings 14:25. “He [King of Israel Jeroboam II] was the one who restored the boundaries of Israel from Lebo Hamath to the Dead Sea, in accordance with the word of the Lord, the God of Israel, spoken through his servant…

Should We Preach Jesus and Ignore Doctrine?

[455 words] Sometimes we hear individuals say, “Why should we be so concerned about doctrine? We should just preach Jesus and ignore doctrine. Preaching doctrine creates division, but preaching Jesus will bring unity.” Those who say these things often are motivated to bring about harmony among those who follow Jesus, but we must begin by…

We Need Fathers!

[470 words] The TV show “60 Minutes” ran a segment that revealed some disturbing news. Park rangers at a South African wildlife preserve were concerned about the slaughter of 39 rare white rhinos. It turned out that the rhinos were killed not by poachers but rather by juvenile delinquents. You see the story began a…

More Than Milk

[443 words] There are several passages in the New Testament that admonish Christians to mature. They need to mature in several facets of their spiritual lives. The one we look at today is the need for growth in their study and understanding of God’s word. There is no other way to mature in all aspects…

Obey God

[428 words] “When they had brought them, they stood them before the Council. The high priest questioned them, saying, “We gave you strict orders not to continue teaching in this name, and yet, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” But Peter and the apostles answered,…

It Is My Body

[451 words] Abortion is likely the leading discussion in the spring of 2022. It may very well be for some time. Abortion is the murder of a living child in the womb, and is supported by many. Supporters of abortion do not want to call this action murder. They want to have all believe that…

Self-Pride

[464 words] How easy it is for us to become puffed up and prideful. We all have talents and areas in our lives where we excel. We receive complements, awards, promotions at work, and other recognition for the good job that we may have done. Each of us at one time or another have probably…

Summer Plans

[404 words] It is coming faster than we would think, and not soon enough for kids in school! Summer is near, and that means a whole different kind of busyness for a lot of families. Vacations, camps, travels, and family reunions quickly fill up the calendar (if they haven’t already)! Consider three ideas to help…

The Threefold Witness of Good Character

[447 words] In 3 John 12, we have reference made to a fine Christian individual. In fact, this short verse is all that is said of this man of God, but what is said of him and the standard he sets is truly amazing. The verse begins by saying of him, “Demetrius has a good…

In the Doing of It

[427 words] Nothing will motivate us more than becoming better at what we do. As we dedicate ourselves to having Jesus at the center of our thoughts, our actions, and our words, we will begin to be motivated by “Christ being formed in us” (Gal. 4:19). This does not happen by accident but it has…

Thankful for the Gospel

[425 words] Gospel = Good News. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the good news that sinners can be saved! Thanks to the sacrificial death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth, sinners like you and me have hope because we can be cleansed of our sins and made righteous in the sight of God.…

Showing Honor to the Son

[472 words] Jesus’ ministry was known as a ministry of many things. It was a ministry of healing (spiritual and physical), teaching and preaching, redemption, justification, reconciliation and suffering. But it was also a ministry of controversy. Why was Jesus’ ministry so controversial? While there are many reasons for such, the following will provide some…

What Are You Talking About?

[483 words] So, what are the last words you say when you are leaving others? I find myself often ending a phone conversation with family members by saying, “Goodbye, I love you.” Those words are not just meaningless words, but are intended to remind those who are so precious to me that I cherish them.…

Even Dirt Gets to Rest

[486 words] We are busy! It doesn’t matter whether young or old, employed or retired, there is a lot going on in our lives. Sometimes, we can feel overwhelmed and on the brink of burn out but just keep going on. Before that happens, or if that is how you feel right now, consider these…

A New Tomorrow By the Power of God

[443 words] In a dream our minds create as we go. Landscapes, people, everyday objects…all these are made in an instant. Granted, they are imaginary, but have you ever considered how impressive that is? Sometimes what your mind makes is so convincing that, upon waking, it takes you a couple of seconds to realize that…

Some Things Cannot Be Changed

[474 words] Some time back the writer was getting a bulletin ready to print at the West Concord Church of Christ. He was using John Priola’s name for some announcement. The computer did not recognize the name Priola, and it suggested changing the spelling to one of the following: Preload, Oriole, Pergola, Premolar, Portola, Prolix,…

Ten Things to Do When People Make Mistakes

[481 words] “Nobody’s perfect!” You’ve heard it. You’ve thought it. You’ve probably said it. Unfortunately, we seem to often find ourselves on the receiving end of the imperfection. Sometimes the mistakes are not that big of a deal—putting pickles on a plain burger or calling you by the wrong name. Other times the mistakes are…

A Tough Parable

[498 words] Most of Jesus’ parables are easily understood; they cut straight to the heart of his point. For example, the message of the parable of the wise and foolish builders (Matthew 7:24-27) is simple and clear: foolish people hear only, while the wise ones hear and do. But a few of Jesus’ parables leave…

People Like Us

[448 words] We believe the book of First Peter was written about 30 years after the time of Jesus. The people to whom Peter wrote were a lot like us. They were people who had to base their faith on what they were told by preachers, like the apostles, and what they could read in…

Life is Not Fair

[498 words] How many times in your life have you felt or expressed your frustration that life is not fair? Probably every parent has heard these words groaned with varying degrees of grief from their children. God has heard these words many many times, even from adults. Usually these are the words of pain or…

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