Articles

The unnamed, insignificant (?), Hebrew slave girl of Naaman was the central cause of one of the most unusual Spirit supplied stories in the Old Testament.  Here is what we know about her: 1. She retained faith in God, while serving as a slave in the foreign region of Syria; 2. She was confident of God’s power and knew God’s prophet (Elisha) could cleanse a leper (II Kings 5:3,8); 3. She since...

If you are familiar at all with Naaman, captain of the Syrian (Aramean) host, you may think first of his miraculous cure from leprosy.  While that cure is truly remarkable, it was merely a change in his flesh, which God can easily affect.  Did you notice, however, the change that was made in his heart? Naaman arrived at Elisha’s doorstep with a grand assumption of what the prophet would ...

70’s rock group Moody Blues blended rock & roll with symphonic orchestrations.  Founding member and lead singer Ray Thomas is now gone. We will miss the comic antics of Beloved Jerry Van Dyke, Dick Van Dyke’s brother. Alan Bean & John Young, who both literally walked on the moon, now walk in eternity. If you can hear “Papa Was a Rolling Stone” in your mind’s juke box, you’re remembering the v...

That’s what the song says, and it is not entirely wrong.  But Christmastime and year-end festivities can often remind us of reasons we have to be sad.  How does one cope?  Okay, you know some suggestions are coming.  Get ready! Make contact with loved ones as you are able.  Take them some cookies (even store-bought) if they are close enough.  If not, make a phone call...

What does this idea from 2nd Corinthians 12:9 mean? Maybe it’s like when God promised Abraham and Sarah, a couple waaaay past the age of bearing children, that they would have a son through whom the entire world would be blessed.  But then, as if to prove a point, he waits 25 years more to fulfill this promise so that they don’t have a son together until Abraham is 100 and Sarah is 90. Or may...

This articles relates to something each one of you has—young, old, single, married, rich or poor.  That something is TIME!  It is tied to something else—choices, responsibility, accountability, (Romans 14:10-12; II Corinthians 5:10).  It is also tied to one other sobering factor-Eternity!  Every piece of it-every tick of the clock is tied to eternity.  The fact...

Thankfully, what will be done regarding the folks from Ecuador, is not to be decided by the church, but by our government, and the responsibilities of government are very different from those of the church.  Governments are ordained of God to maintain justice among their citizens, rewarding good and punishing evil, according Romans 13:1-7.  The government’s response, therefore, should no...

The Holy Spirit and Paul in the context of Colossians 3:12-15 gave us multiple reasons to “be thankful.”              Christ made it possible to end all racial, religious, social and domestic division [ending the enmity and alienation], by reconciling us all in one body, the church (carefully read Ephesians 2:11-22; Galatians 3:26-28)&hel...

Just the other day on the radio I heard them discussing a survey that talked about what kinds of dishes should not be present at Thanksgiving meal.  I’m sure we’ve all got our opinions on those things that must be present at Thanksgiving, maybe it’s mac n’cheese, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie, sweet potatoes with the LITTLE marshmallows.  But this survey did the opposite, it asked people ...

There are currently three holidays in the United States of America that honor military service. Armed Forces Day is observed on the third Saturday of May, honoring all those who are CURRENTLY SERVING in any branch of the military, whether Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force or Coast Guard.  Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday of May and is specifically set aside as a day of remembrance FOR...

I believe we do. While no passage addresses this question specifically, several point us in that direction. Jesus said we are to be salt and light, and like cities set on hills (Matthew 5:13-16). This means our lives are to have an obvious impact for good. Our vote, especially collectively, has great potential to impact our world for good when we elect those who will govern with justice and equity...

Sounds funny... but temptation is not a sin. Sometimes we forget that.  God allows us to be tempted (1 Cor. 10:13) ...but He doesn't cause nor allow us to sin.  Jesus was tempted more than once... in the wilderness, at the cross, and a 'better time', Luke 4:13..."And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season."  So why should we expect to be treat...

Traffic.  Driving in Oklahoma City you can see a never-ending hoard of vehicles going in every direction and at all hours……. and OKC’s traffic is small potatoes compared to that of many other cities all over the world. Does it make you wonder how much gasoline and oil is being consumed as you read this?  The logistics stagger the mind. The world’s present oil use is estimat...

Paul wrote to the church in Corinth telling them to stop dividing over mere men.  His point was that no matter who plants the gospel or who waters it, it is God who gives the increase (1st Corinthians 3:1-17). God provided the gospel as seed.  God commits the spreading of that seed to mere men and women, but he is the only one who can make it grow in the hearts of individuals. As spreade...

That’s it, I’m tired of paying my electric and water bills and so I’m sending a letter to OG&E and to the City of Midwest City informing them that I’ll no longer be paying my bills.  And while I’m at it, I’m going to let my bank know that I’m no longer going to pay my mortgage.  Why you might ask?  Because I don’t want to! Can you imagine someone being serious and saying that to you...

We usually think of someone else being gifted; someone smarter, faster, more talented or capable than ourselves. But you are gifted.  You have something to offer the world.  It is your gift, and the more you “give it away”, the more you enjoy it yourself.  Our gifts come so easily to us that we tend to downplay their value.  We think “if it’s so easy for me, it must be easy for...

Honest, he not only wants you, but he is going after your kids!! Satan's "native language" is the lie - for he is "the father of lies" (John 8:44  NIV)        Consider the lies he's telling your children: 1.   "It's Ok to 'Do your own thing!'"   Collins English Dictionary says,  "If you do your own thing, you live or act in the way you wa...

According to the medical professionals, P.T.S.D stands for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.  Thankfully, it is not contagious, but it does have an effect on those around you.  Whether it’s family at home, your church family or strangers you encounter daily in your daily travels.  P.T.S.D effects everyone differently for the most part but there are some “symptoms” that seem to be comm...

Jesus had fasted for forty days and nights.  Can you even attempt to imagine how hungry he must have been?  Satan tempted him to command stones to become bread so that he could satisfy his hunger (Matthew 4:1-11).  Jesus could have easily done so.  I also believe it is perfectly reasonable to assume that Jesus wanted to turn the stones to bread just as Satan...

The definition of social justice offered by Wikipedia is as follows: “Social justice is a concept of fair and just relations between the individual and society. This is measured by the explicit and tacit terms for the distribution of wealth, opportunities for personal activity, and social privileges.” Sounds good, right?  Sounds Christian, right?  Wolves.  Wolves in s...