Just what is a primitive life form? Are we talking small? Because if we are talking about the smallest, tiniest microorganism, then we are talking about a “nano-bio-technology” that modern day technicians are trying very hard to emulate and can‘t even come close. Nothing man-made can begin to approach the complexity and efficiency of even the simplest microorganism. And we should note at this point that what the worl... read all »
Let’s put things into perspective: What would you think if a group of liars decided that the rest of us needed to be forced into accepting that there is nothing wrong with lying? What if these liars sought to amend local, state and even national laws to provide special protection for liars, and even demanded that school curriculums be amended to teach all of our children that lying is an acceptable way of life? Would you be opposed to... read all »
Paul gave the title to this article in Ephesians 6:10. With so many God-given principles and Divine precepts under attack in our liberated, tolerate-anything culture, Christians need to equip themselves with Paul’s prescribed spiritual armor, developing the right disposition to deal with “the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Eph. 6:10-19). Charles Spur... read all »
A Brief Tribute To My Mother,
And To All Those Like Her Everywhere
If you would, please indulge me in a bit of personal reflection. As I write this, just a few days before Mothers’ Day 2009, my own mother is a new resident in a nursing home near “the old home place” back in West Virginia.
She lived in the house she and Dad built for us back in 1963-64, until her poor health and failing mentality dictated that that ... read all »
The above name is given to the existence of billions of widely diversified and fully developed life forms in the lowest layers of earth’s sedimentary strata. The fossil record should, if we assume the so-called theory of evolution to be accurate, show very gradual change from the supposed first simple life forms to the more complex ones that are thought to have evolved later, after eons and eons of change.
(I say “so-called”... read all »
(1st John 3:13)
The “Miss U.S.A.” pageant is over, and Carrie Prejean, Miss California did not win. Miss North Carolina did win, a beautiful and talented young lady to be sure, but under the circumstances, one must wonder if Miss California was not a victim of bigotry.
It all stems from her answer to the very politically charged question she was asked as a part of the competitive pageant process. The question, from P... read all »
As I write, it has been less than a week since wild fires raged
through several parts of Oklahoma. Extremely dry conditions
and wind gusts over 60 mph set the stage for disaster,
and disaster sure enough took the stage.
Like many other families in the Choctaw and Midwest City
area, we alternated watching news reports on television concerning
the fire’s progress with calling to check on friends
and neighbors and packing up what belongings we could.
Weat... read all »
(I’m not sure how I came on this story, but if you gave it to me, thank you.)
A woman looked out her kitchen window and observed her new neighbor hanging
out her wash while her husband consumed his breakfast. She began to complain
about how this “new neighbor lady”, whom she hadn’t even yet met, needed to do
something about the ‘dingy’ clothes she was putting out on the line. “Doesn’t she
know how bad it looks to ... read all »
Jesus wants us to remember at what cost we have been bought, that is
ransomed, from our own sin. That is why He gave us the simple, yet
perfect observance of eating unleavened bread to represent His body,
and grape juice to represent His blood. You and I may each recall different
aspects of His sacrifice, but consider those things Matthew recorded
in his account, 26:36-27:50:
26:36-46 - He was left to pray alone by His sleeping apostles
26:47-49 - He was betr... read all »
There is a time when we must firmly choose the course we will follow, or the deceptive drift
of events will make the decision for us. A delayed decision before God is dangerous, and it may
launch us into eternal disaster!
I recently read of Archias, the magistrate of Thebes, who was sitting with many mighty men,
drinking wine. “A messenger came in bringing him a letter, informing him of a conspiracy
against his life and warning him to flee. Archias took t... read all »
Initiative. One dictionary offers as a definition, “that which
begins”. It is a character trait each of us should develop, but
often seems like few of us have.
Sadly, it seems that the ‘wicked’ are the ones who develop
this tendency more than any other group. God speaks of
them… hearts that devise wicked plans, feet that run rapidly
to evil (Proverbs 6:18), inventors of evil (Romans 1:30), enticing
by fleshly desires (2nd Peter ... read all »
Use Your Speech - Not just your vocabulary, but the
things you talk about, and especially the way you talk
about others. Refuse to be a source of gossip, or perhaps
even better, refuse to be an ear for it. Always speak as
positively as you can about others and this will make a
positive impression on those who hear you. Remember,
“if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all” .
As the book says, “Let your speech alwa... read all »
I recently read the following article about evangelism that could be adapted for our use.
“What is the method? I call it newsletter evangelism. It involves passing out a series
of about 25 different newsletters to homes in your area by church members who volunteer
to have “paper-routes” of the size of their choosing, for about a 3 month period.
After passing out the series of newsletters, members then go into the community and
meet these fine ... read all »
How are you handling the financial fears, the declarations of pending depression, or the worry about work? Christ’s attitude, as given in Hebrews 12:3, is astounding and so heartening: “Who for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross.” What a paradox! The greatest love entwined with joy at the same moment of the greatest loss amidst agonizing affliction! “Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his frien... read all »
1. Have you ever gone away, for example, on a vacation, and when you returned no one in your church family noticed you had been gone?
2. Do you feel like no one ever tries to find out about you or your family?
3. Ever feel like you have the “family name”, but aren’t a real part of the family?
4. Would you say your feelings toward your church involvement is like this an... read all »