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A Powerful Post : The Brevity of Life
One of the members where I preach posted something on his Facebook page that I found very thought-provoking. The original source of this is anonymous, but the words still need to be considered: I WAS DYING First, I was dying to finish high school and start college. And then I was dying to finish college and start working. And then I was dying to marry and have children. And then I was dying for my children to grow old enough for school so I could return to work And then I was dying to retire. And now, I am dying…and suddenly I realize I forgot to live. As I read those…
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The Joy of Family Reunion
[NOTE: Today, we are pleased to bring you a “follow up” post of sorts. A few weeks ago, Daniel Gaines wrote our guest post. In his bio, we shared that he and his family were facing a separation, due to a medical condition with one of their children. Now, the family is all back in the states together. We are honored today that his wife, Tiffany Gaines, took the time to share some thoughts about their reunion that will encourage you.] Hair fixed, makeup on, perfume sprayed, and 3 kids in tow, I anxiously watched the clock in the terminal click to 1:47 pm. He was finally here! I knew…
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It Goes Without Saying
It is a common phrase. It is often used when one means, “Well, of course, I shouldn’t have to make that point, should I?” Then they add the phrase, “It goes without saying!” I wonder, though, if too many parents have that same attitude when teaching and training their children. Do you? Are there things that you are assuming your children know, but leaving those things unsaid? Here are 3 areas where words should not go without saying. 1. Etiquette. Some parents leave any words regarding manners unsaid. Maybe they think their kids will just grow into it. Maybe they think manners are not important in the grand scheme of…
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What I Missed : A Letter from “Randy”
Dear World, I couldn’t quite understand all the words. The sound was muffled, but I picked up a few things. I heard a pleasant voice say, “Welcome,” and I figured out some instructions about filling out some paperwork. I knew I would have to wait for a few minutes, but I could not figure out what we were waiting for. It was hard to hear everything where I was. It was warm, and I was always taken care of, but sounds are garbled inside a mother’s tummy. Oh, I forgot to introduce myself. My name was supposed to be Randy. At least, I heard that name sometimes and I liked…
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What God Doesn’t Want to Do
God wants to save us. He wants us to go to heaven. He wants us to be His children. He wants to extend grace and mercy. He is a loving and gracious and benevolent God who abounds in goodness and who is slow to anger (Jon. 4:2). So when people are lost eternally they need to understand God is doing what must be done because of the disobedience of sin. God doesn’t want to send us to hell. But He most certainly will (2 Thess. 1:7-10). You see, judgment and subsequent punishment are God’s alien works. Isaiah 28:21 says clearly that God’s divine and just punishment of the wicked is…
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“And Me” : A Lesson from a Child’s Prayer
I enjoy listening to children pray. On those occasions when our family is able to be together, I especially appreciate hearing our grandchildren pray. For some time now, I have been intrigued by a phrase often used by our youngest grandson when he prays. He regularly thanks God for “Mommy, Daddy, Mary Carol (his sister), and me.” “And me”–I’m not sure I’ve ever heard him pray when he didn’t add those two words. A few years ago, I saw this Ziggy cartoon. Apparently the cartoonist and our grandson are on the same page when it comes to how they view life. A young boy’s prayer and a cartoon serve as a…
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Campaign Capitol Hill
“Whatever makes a man a good Christian makes him a good citizen.” That statement, spoken by the famous senator Daniel Webster, is a powerful starting place to discuss a work being conducted in the Kingdom today. Campaign: Capitol Hill, a grass roots movement by the churches of Christ. It is designed to bring light to the fine line between politics and religion and to bring awareness to American Christians as to our responsibility to pray for and respect our government while attempting to teach our nation the truths of God’s word. Basically, it is attempting to bring the words of Mr. Webster to life even more today. That said, Daniel…
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Look What’s Coming Back!
Today, we are excited to pass along some news that we hope will be exciting for many of you. From the beginning of A Legacy of Faith, this blog has been the centerpiece of what we do. However, we also had planned a podcast to go along with the site. We waited a few weeks to get it off the ground, but then launched A Legacy of Faith: The Podcast. After 29 episodes, though, we closed it down. Today, though, we are excited to let you know that the podcast is coming back!!! The format will be a little different, but we hope it is just as helpful as the…
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It May be Poisonous
Last week when we were walking across the church parking lot my daughter showed me a medium-sized berry she had pulled off of one of the trees. My first reaction was to ask why she was pulling anything off a tree without permission. But that immediately became unimportant when I saw her motion to put this unknown object in her mouth. “Don’t eat that!” “Why not?” “Because it’s probably poisonous!” I couldn’t believe I had just gone there. I had been somewhat distracted by all of the other people that had been trying to talk to the preacher and that was a quick fix. I had no idea if it…
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I Know a Man in Christ
When Paul wrote his second letter to the Corinthians he spoke of a time when he was caught up into the third heaven. 2 Corinthians 12:4 says more specifically that he was caught up into Paradise. For a few verses in this text, he speaks of himself in the third person with phrases like – “I know a man in Christ…” (2 Corinthians 12:2). His purpose in writing was to defend his apostleship to those who were speaking against him in the Corinthian church. So he briefly reflected on an instance that proved God’s seal upon him as an apostle, as one having the Spirit of God. But I want…
