Articles

Balaam, a prophet of God, being tempted with cold hard cash from Israel’s enemies, came up with the idea of leading Israel into fornication and idolatrous worship with “the daughters of Moab”. You can read about this whole sordid affair in the book of Numbers 22-25, 2nd Peter 2:15-16 & Jude 11. God instructed Moses to execute those who had lead Israel to do so. When a man came brazenly amongs...

I recently saw where a fellow claimed that Jesus only commissioned the apostles to spread the gospel, arguing that such was not the responsibility of individual saints. Really? Is he kidding? Was disciple making to end once the apostles died? I seriously doubt that was Jesus’ intention. If so, why then did the Holy Spirit inspire Luke to tell us of so many who were not apostles, but who ...

If you read Mark’s gospel, you will be able to see that he records nine times when Jesus told the apostles very clearly that he would be arrested, tried, crucified and then three days later, be resurrected from the dead (8:27-33, 9:1-13, 9:30-32, 10:32-34, 10:35-45, 12:1-11, 14:3-9, 14:17-25 & 14:26-31).Mark, however, does not record the time that Jesus said, “…….for just as Jonah was three days a...

Many of you may have seen this quote on Facebook: "The tongue has no bones but it can break hearts." I thought this was a great statement and helps remind us to be careful what we say. It is so easy to let our brains slip out of gear while engaging our tongues. A tongue, without cerebral guidance, is a vehicle out of control. Someone is most likely to get hurt. The scriptures have m...

“You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” …….. Jesus, from the gospel of John the apostle, 8:44 Who does not value truth? The best liars want to know th...

Why did God record his reasons for choosing Abraham? For I have chosen him, so that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice, so that the Lord may bring upon Abraham what He has spoken about him”, - Genesis 18:19 I confess that there was a time when I wanted the above passage to say that God chose Abraham becau...

Larry Jon Wilson, singer and song writer in the 70’s, wrote a song titled "Through the Eyes of Little Children". It was a poignant reminder that children are observing our behavior, and most likely will develop much of their own ways by patterning ours. In March, the elders began encouraging us as parents and grandparents to read & study the scriptures with our kids and grandkids, and to pray...

We’ve been told over and over that the last living dinosaur lived millions of years ago. If that’s so, I have some questions. First, why are there accounts of human encounters with dragons (“dinosaur” was not coined until 1841) from nearly every ancient culture on the planet? England, Italy, France, Greece, Israel, Nepal, Russia, China, Japan, Ireland, Germany, Switzerland, Ethiopia, Egypt, P...

Some years ago, I recall visiting with some friends. I don’t remember any part of our visit except one statement they made. They said they did not want to influence their children in matters of religion. They wanted their children to grow up and make their own choices and decisions about the subject. Needless to say, I was stunned at such a strategy for raising children. I’ve always thought it was...

When brethren assemble to sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs (acappella), varied stages, levels and responses as to worship may unfold. Sister Silence may not sing at all, nor does she open the song book to gain the richness, benefits and responsibilities the message of the song offers. Brother Bewildered, who has only been “in Christ” for two months, may properly mouth the words, but he has ...

In John 9:20-22 we can read of Jesus giving sight to a man who had been blind all of his life. The man’s parents knew Jesus had done this for their son, but refused to publicly acknowledge him because they feared they would be put out of the synagogue for admitting that it was so. In John 12:42-43 we are told that among those in authority in Jerusalem, many believed in Jesus. These, however, ...

Each day reminds me that I'm one year closer to my time to die. That's not meant to be morbid nor sad, but it is reality. I have thought about this for many years and have concluded that I am (we are), "living the dream". We go to sleep, dream for a short while, and we wake up to continue with whatever life deals us. Our dreams are short compared to our daily lives. But dreams aren't reality....

Jesus said, “If I be lifted up, I will draw all men to myself”. This truthful claim of his is why I believe he commissioned the church to preach the gospel of his death, burial and resurrection to the whole world. Jesus taught us to do good works that God may be glorified, and to impact the world like salt & light according to Matthew 5:13-16. Doing good lifts up Jesus to the world today.&nbs...

Charles Darwin noted several problems with his own theories. Below is one of my favorites: “But then with me the horrid doubt always arises whether the convictions of man's mind, which has been developed from the mind of the lower animals, are of any value or at all trustworthy. Would any one trust in the convictions of a monkey's mind, if there are any convictions in such a mind?” Charles Da...

Two archers are honing their skills, slinging arrows at the same target. One man’s arrow strikes the target near the bullseye, and he feels a sense of satisfaction at coming close to his mark, yet determines to make every effort to bring his next shot even closer. His desire is to master his bow so that his arrows will consistently strike wherever he aims them. The second man draws his b...

I am indebted to Irishman John Lennox, mathematician and Christian apologist, for the following insight. God teaches us to love him with all of our heart, soul and mind, said first in Deuteronomy 6:5 and repeated by Jesus in Matthew 22:37. What does it mean, however, to love God with all of your mind? Suppose for example, that an unbeliever asks you why you believe. Have you thought...

Josh Wallace, staff writer for The Oklahoman, had an interesting article (“Dozens Gather For Pagan Winter Celebration,” December 29, p.3A) related to “The Spiral Circle Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans.” How they came to this philosophy of life is quite interesting. Many of the participants said “they came from traditional Christian homes, but agreed that for them, something was missing s...

The world of music lost Glen Frey of the Eagles, David Bowie, Paul Kantner of Jefferson Airplane, Maurice White of Earth, Wind & Fire, Keith Emmerson of Emmerson, Lake & Palmer, Merle Haggard the Okie from Muskogee, Prince & Ralph Stanley the godfather of traditional bluegrass music known from the movie “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” Hollywood lost Alan Rickman of Harry Potter fame, Dan Haggerty who...

This is my 55th Christmas without my father. I thought of him recently while I browned some meatballs for a spaghetti sauce we were cooking up for guests over the holidays. This was his recipe. One handed down from his father and passed on to me by my mother years after he passed away.  The pungent smell of the garlic and Romano cheese filled the kitchen and flashed back his old ritual of tas...

The holiday season is for me, like the evening of a year-long day. My "instinctive" hope is for the whole family to return from the day's activities and be gathered together around the table at home. But as many of us have learned, their return is not guaranteed.I was 13 when my brother-in-law stepped through the door of our home to tell me that my dad would not be returning. No holiday season has...