The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the Lord God had made. One day he asked the woman, “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?” Genesis 3:1 NLT Twenty-nine years later, there are still some things I remember from my Composition … Continue reading –>
Dominos is a game played around the world, but I have found lately that it is not played the same way around the world. I was raised in Oklahoma, where my grandmother taught me how to play, by playing off the ends as well as the sides, so that you are going in four different … Continue reading –>
Do you remember this song? We are one in the Lord We are one in the Spirit We are one in the Lord And we pray that all unity may one day be restored We will work with each other We will work side by side We will work with each other We will work … Continue reading –>
“‘Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?’ The expert in the law replied, ‘The one who had mercy on him.’ Jesus told him, ‘Go and do likewise.’” Luke 10:36-37, NIV In the popular media, most problems seem to be solved by some … Continue reading –>
“He also said, ‘This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel … Continue reading –>
Thursdays section of this week’s lesson talks about the counsel in Matthew 18, regarding dealing with a brother who has wronged another. Here is the counsel: Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. … Continue reading –>
Sunday’s section of this week’s Sabbath School lesson states, “In some cultures, there is a tendency to distrust and challenge leadership; in others, to blindly submit to it. How has your own culture’s attitude toward authority impacted the church in your area?” In an interview with David Frost, Richard Nixon, a former United States President … Continue reading –>
Do you remember when ‘friend’ became a verb? I know it was sometime after the beginning of Facebook. About the same time, our definition of ‘friend’ changed a bit, didn’t it? All of a sudden, a friend can be someone you’ve never spoken to or met in person. A friend is someone with whom you … Continue reading –>
“…for you welcomed the message…with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.” 1 Thessalonians 1:6, NIV One of the most beautiful sights is the smile on the face of someone who has just given their heart to Jesus. Their heart is so full of joy from the experience that the light of that joy bursts … Continue reading –>
Mike Howerton remembers the two vastly different ways two of his high school coaches approached encouraging the team. Howertown remembers that in one game, his team was losing. During halftime, the two coaches would give two very different pep talks. “Coach Crow [came] in growling, spitting disdain in his words at us: ‘What a bunch … Continue reading –>
Have you burned any bridges lately? Are you sure? Could you have burned a bridge without being aware of doing it? Next time you’re sitting in church, take a look around. Are there some folks missing? I don’t mean like on-vacation missing, but folks who haven’t been to church for maybe a month or two … Continue reading –>
Have you ever been part of a team? Maybe it wasn’t a sports team; maybe it wasn’t even called a ‘team.’ Maybe it was just a group of people all working towards the same goal. I can’t say I was ever part of a sports team, but I was a member of my high school … Continue reading –>
Since February is Black History Month in the United States and Canada, we are going to look at how issues of race, slavery and ministry were addressed by the early Seventh-day Adventist church, as well as how they are discussed in the Bible. Of all possible topics to be discussed, race, religion and politics are … Continue reading –>
Jonathan: “Dad, where are we going?” Father: “Son, we’re going to the Johnsons’ house.” Jonathan: “What? Why aren’t we going to church?” Father: “We are, Jonathan. We’re going to church at the Johnsons’ today.”1 Jonathan: “But why, Dad? Why aren’t we going to the same church where we’ve always gone?” Father: “It’s closed today, Son. … Continue reading –>
“Live in harmony with one another…” Romans 12:16, NIV I enjoy concerts. I marvel at how many different instruments in an orchestra can blend together to produce something of great power and beauty. I also thrill at the many different voices that blend together to produce the majestic strains of Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus.” Whether it … Continue reading –>