All that glitters is not gold. A couple years ago, my wife and I had the privilege of visiting a Christian friend and worker in the Netherlands. During our visit, she took us to the village of Haarlem, just outside Amsterdam, so that we could visit the house of the Ten Boom family. Being familiar […]
The sheep of His pasture Shortly after moving to a rural county in Georgia, I purchased seven ewes and a ram. We raised sheep for eight years and had many eventful experiences—some quite humorous and others heartbreaking. One thing in particular stands out in my mind: being called a sheep is not a complimentary term. […]
The removal of a lampstand Some proclaim that all is well in Christendom by pointing to the growth of mega churches. But the truth is that mega churches often grow by pulling people away from smaller churches. People might be attracted to a larger church by the professional musical program, the elaborate facilities, or the […]
We love because He first loved us. In a perfect world, everyone would know what it’s like to be part of a healthy, loving family. But the enemy has waged war against the family, and, as a result, many are born into troubled homes where they experience few, if any, of the blessings that ought […]
One hallmark of a true servant is disdain for notoriety. According to the website www.city-data.com, the population of Needham, Alabama at the last census was 87. Southeast of Needham is Toxey (pop. 135) and a little farther south is Gilbertown (locally pronounced Gibbertown) with 167 inhabitants. The big city near Needham is Butler, 16 miles […]
Linked in life Four key passages paint for us the portrait of the church as the mystical body of Christ: Romans 12:4-5; 1 Corinthians 10-12; Ephesians 1-4; and Colossians 1-3. Taken together, they present to us four great principles. Unity without unanimity The one body has many members (1 Cor. 12:12, 20, 27; Eph. 4:4; […]
Is there more to it than meets the ear? The arrival and passing of summer in the central plains of North America is marked by characteristic sounds. The call of chorus frogs means the spring rains have awakened eggs laid last year. The distinctive call of the western meadowlark signals the beginning of an annual […]
All Herod’s power was really … nothing at all Ever since Pentecost, the church has been oppressed in some place and in some measure. In fact, it is said that in the 20th century more Christians have died for their faith than in the previous 19 centuries combined. Acts 12 gives us insight into the […]
For any who aspire to maturity Only one life, ’twill soon be past; only what’s done for Christ will last. Those three terse statements are strung together, but each on its own is worth hours of thought. In unison, they pack a powerful punch. Sadly, many who profess His name are not living with eternity’s […]