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Love Never Fails
Will you go on a journey with me for a bit? I’m asking you to leave the things that distract you and get in a quiet place and engage with me for a minute. I want to take you to the center of yourself to help you investigate something you already know. Life is confusing. We have all of these moving parts to deal with in just living it. All of the physical things are but vanity. All of the spiritual things matter but there is much conflict and doubt sometimes about what they all actually mean. We live and we experience things both inside our hearts and outside in…
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When Did I Become a Brand?
By the time one has lived as long as I have, there is an awareness of various phases of life. There are a few of them that I do not remember. I, of course, do not remember my birth. In fact, there is not much about the very early years of my life that I do remember. However, as time went on I picked up a variety of “labels” along the way. In terms of relationships, at various times I’ve been known as things like a son, a bachelor, a husband, a father, and a grandfather (all in that order, by the way). I’ve also been known as a friend, a co-worker, a neighbor, teammate,…
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The Devil’s Newest Tool
Those who have heard me speak in the recent past will know what I am talking about. It has taken the place of several other things, all of which are still dangerous tools, but this one seems to exceed them all. It is convenient, small, very smart, and available to almost everyone. Of course, I’m talking about the cell phone. That little computer you can hold in your hand and take with you wherever you go. That thing that connects you to so many people on social media. That device that allows you to connect to sites about which no one else will know (or at least, you don’t think they will know about it). That…
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Two Free Resources for Overviewing Exodus with Your Kids [Free Printables]
It was announced last weekend that the book being emphasized by Lads to Leaders for the 2019 convention will be the book of Exodus. Even if you are not involved in Lads to california-muscles.net Leaders, however, we want to share two resources with you that you might want to consider using in your family Bible time or homeschool. Both of these are available for free and are in pdf format. Resource #1: Overview of Exodus This pdf contains three parts, each designed to help young people grasp the “big picture” of Exodus. In the following pdf, you will find: (1) “10 Facts about Exodus,” (2) a simple outline of the…
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How to Find God
During His early Galilean ministry, Jesus began to perform various healings. In Mark chapter 1, one can read of Christ casting out a demon, healing Peter’s mother-in-law of a fever, and restoring a man who was suffering from leprosy. These miracles placed Jesus in high demand, so much that while normal people would go home from work at sunset, this was when he was just getting started: “At evening, when the sun had set, they brought to Him all who were sick and those who were demon-possessed. And the whole city was gathered together at the door. Then He healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many…
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6 x 5
I recently had the privilege of listening to the president of Freed-Hardeman University, David Shannon, speak at the annual Leadership Workshop hosted by the Briensburg church of Christ in Marshall County, Kentucky. During brother Shannon’s presentation, he suggested that every Christian would do well to have three lists of people with five names on each list. I would like to share his idea with you. I suppose you could say that I would like to share our idea with you. Since hearing brother Shannon, I actually separated one of his lists into two lists and have added an additional list of my own. I’m thinking that it might be good for each of…
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3 Reminders for Parents on Dates
Last week, Leah and I got to go on a date. In fact, it was a big date…we stayed overnight in a hotel and everything! (When you have kids, this qualifies as a big deal.) Sometimes, husbands and wives give up “dating” when they have children. There is so much going on in life that those evenings away–just one-on-one–seem to be put on the backburner. However, it is precisely because you are so busy that you need those times. They do not have to be anything big and fancy. Just a dinner out or even a picnic in the park makes for a great evening and much-needed time with one another. But, because…
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What is a Christian’s Place in Politics?
We have all thought about the validity of the argument for the separation of church and state. We remember Jesus saying, “Give unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s, and give unto God that which is God’s.” We understand that what God approves and what mankind approves are often two entirely different things. We know from the New Testament we have a responsibility to obey laws and respect the government under which we are organized. The kingdom of God is in the spiritual realm while earthly kingdoms are in the physical realm – but the two touch shoulders and there is a place in earthly kingdoms for a Christian who is…
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Is It Worth It?
As far as I know, two men who never knew each other had a lot in common. I believe that there are many who also may have a lot in common with them. The first man I am thinking of has already left us. Fairly late in life, he enjoyed a good relationship with the Lord and with members of the Lord’s church. It was not always that way. Although he had been baptized fairly early in life, he spent most of his adult life estranged from the Lord and His people. After a lot of prayer for him and as a result of some good influences in his life, he was restored. …
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Bringing Us Together Since the Beginning
“Mawwiage, is what bwings up togevah today.” That line from the movie The Princess Bride is iconic. I couldn’t help but think of it yesterday, which was the 48th anniversary of the patriarch and matriarch of “A Legacy of Faith.” Next week, one set of Jeremiah’s grandparents will celebrate 70 years. Last week, Jeremiah and I celebrated 20 years of marriage. In our ceremony 20 years ago, the legacy of long-lasting marriages in our family was mentioned. At that time, between all of our grandparents and parents, there was over 250 years of marriage represented. We have been very blessed by Christian examples of commitment in all of these marriages.…
