Articles

I contemplated a long time on my New Year’s resolution for this year. Guess what it is? This New Year I resolved not to make a New Year’s resolution! I’m tired of breaking them… and then I realized by not making one, I made one and therefore, I already broke it. Kinda like sin, huh? Paul wrote something about it in Rom 7:15-16… “I do not understand my own acti...

Another “Christian” group is claiming to know the day of Jesus’ return, citing May 21st, 2011 as the day of judgment. How can they know? Jesus Himself said of that day: But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. Matthew 24:36 & Mark 13:32 When He said this, He also drove home His point by further saying “Be o...

Here's what a faithful brother's life would look like as seen through the eyes of the bulletin:1924 - "Thomas Peter Johnson born June 20th weighing 7lbs. 6oz. Billy & Ruth are doing fine.1938 - "Pete Johnson was baptized Sunday. The water at the creek was cold but all hearts rejoiced as this young man gave his life to Christ".1948 - "…a pot-luck dinner welcoming Pete Johnson home from military ser...

There are so many good reasons for attending Bible Class on Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights – spiritual growth, Bible knowledge, as well as the mutual encouragement we receive from the fellowship at these times. David, the psalmist, touches on some of these in his longest psalm (119), which is dedicated to the wonderful advantages of studying God's Word.I'm sure he didn't mean it this way, bu...

Sometimes teenagers give me great hope for the future. Felicia Thompson, a Christian teen called me the other day in order to test a decision she had made.It seems that the school had asked her to lead the prayer at graduation ceremonies and this had caused her some concern. On one hand, she appreciated the honor the teachers had bestowed upon her with this request. On the other, her training in B...

Well, the bulldozers have finally arrived. You've probably noticed the earth moving equipment beginning their work thereby signaling the official start of our renovation effort.We've sung "To God Build The Glory" as our theme song for the project and it's easy to think that new classrooms and new carpeting will actually glorify the Lord. Let's remember however that God is not glorified by things, ...

I've been dreaming about the conveniences and advantages of our building when it will be completed. Won't it be nice when…? There will be room for over 500 at worship?We will have classrooms that will easily sit 50-60 adults?Folks who need assistance will be dropped off under a portico and will go directly to the auditorium without climbing any steps?An ice machine?TV Monitors positioned so that t...

Every move is forever, or so it seems. When we arrived in San Diego two and one half years ago, Lise and I were setting up for what we thought would be a long, and perhaps, final work in our ministry career. The elements were certainly in place: a great congregation with tremendous growth potential; a wonderful ministry team and staff; and, of course, the jewel of American cities, San Diego.Who kn...

The windshield wipers couldn't keep up. It was about 10 p.m. and I was riding in the church van with Jimmy Shepherd and Bob Aldridge who was driving. We were returning from taping one of the TV programs and were caught in a terrible rainstorm. Bob was carefully watching for a flooded road ahead and all of us were amazed at the power of the rain that fell on us in torrents. As we followed the ...

Owners of the Vdara hotel in Las Vegas are confronting a serious problem. The south-facing side of their building is both concave and covered with energy efficient window glass designed to reflect the sun’s heat and keep temperatures down inside the hotel. Problem is that the rays reflected from the windows arc across the pool area outside in what has been dubbed a “death ray” wi...

An interesting part of my wife’s history is that she graduated high school with Garth Brooks. They were class-mates and knew each other from classes they took together and from having been involved in some of the same school activities. Shortly after Garth’s first hit single came out we got to visit with him on his bus in Saltville, Virginia. He and his band were playing a free concert...

Have you ever wondered why God required the Jews to give 10% of their wealth as an offering or “tithe” in the Old Testament (Lev. 27:30-32)? First of all the number “10” in Jewish numerology indicated wholeness or maturity but as far as proportion was concerned, 10% of your wealth represented sacrifice. This was true then as it is today. For example: 3000 years ago if you gave 10% of your flock, h...

Jesus expects wholehearted obedience from His followers. Hebrews 5:9 And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation, Jesus expects us to deny ourselves in following Him. Luke 9:23 And He was saying to them all, If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. Jesus expects us to grow in knowledge....

Through a simple exercise of eating and drinking together, Jesus gave us a means of remembering His sacrifice each week. My belief is that He provided this “supper” knowing we would need to be reminded often of this life-changing legacy of love. As things that are truly good have great value, reminders of such things will also be valuable. That’s one of the reasons I like to see ...

The Complex Season of Christmas The seasonal spirit of Christmas resounds all around; Sales gimmicks for the Young and the Old abound; Bargains by the bunches blend with Gifts galore; Magnetic messages draw crowds to every store! The Cry is “Save our economy,” rather than “Save souls!” Growth of sales and promotion of purchases are coveted goals; Glistening lights, snow men...

It is December. The Thanksgiving holiday has come and gone and Christmas is now coming into broader focus. With the season comes the Christmas carols, now being played regularly over the airwaves. Soon will come the television specials, many of which will feature current talent performing more carols. As a matter of fact, for most of this month our entire nation will be inundated with the songs of...

Along with many other scriptures, I love the message of Jesus in Matthew 11:28 –30… “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." I love that passage more and more each year because I...

Sunday, December 5th will mark the beginning of the new quarter for our Bible Class program. The insert included in the last Sunday announcement sheet lists the new classes and their location. We owe a debt of thanks to those brothers and sisters who serve this congregation in the education ministry. Let's support their efforts in the following ways: 1. Be There The church meets for study, worship...

The word “love” is used nearly 200 times in the New Testament. It describes one of the most basic fundamentals of the individual’s Christian faith. It is easy to “say” that “I am a loving person” but in reality the Apostle Paul gives us some specific characteristics of love that can and should be demonstrated in our lives. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 4Love is pat...

Next to the statement, “I love you,” I believe the most encouraging words to hear are, “I’d love to…”.I was reminded of this a while back when a regular Bible class teacher had to drop out because of work commitments and I had to find a mid-quarter replacement for this class.Finding Bible school teachers is always a daunting task for the Sunday morning program but a good teacher for a children’s c...