Because it is a fact that the God of the universe actually presented Himself to His creation in the flesh (John 1:14), it seems that His time here on earth would be most significant. And since He exited this realm after only about 33 years, it seems even more important that if He left something behind that mankind would be even more obliged to listen. This is, of course, where the value of the New Testament comes in. When do men write their wills? They write them during their lifetime. In fact, they basically live their will until the time comes to draft the document that will continue their wishes…

We call them differences, arguments, differing opinions, fusses…all meaning the same thing. There are times in the Lord’s church when women (and men) just can’t seem to get along. It might be a committee working toward some event and the lady in charge rules with an iron hand. It may be generational and the older women think they know more about rearing children (or any number of other things) than this younger generation does. It might have to do with modest dress, or songs, or activities, or tattoos, or teaching methods or carpet colors, or food to serve for refreshments, or…  Suffice it to say that there are times when sister goes against sister…

Recently, I came across some material I have had for years. In that material, I was reminded of a book written years ago by brother Norman Hogan. The book was entitled Leadership in the Local Church. Contrary to what you might imagine from the book’s title, it is not at all merely for elders, deacons, preachers, and others in “leadership positions” in a congregation. The book contains material that, if taken to heart and put into practice, could benefit every member of every congregation of God’s people. The very first sentence in the very first chapter of the book should serve as a “wake-up call” for all of us. Please carefully and prayerfully read,…

“I love Vacation Bible School.” So begins a short little song that is often sung this time of year. Those words, though, also share my heart. I think VBS is a wonderful event. I have attended Vacation Bible Schools since I was a baby, I suppose. I have taught at a number of them and have directed (I think) 14 years’ worth of VBS. Here at 9th Avenue, we are still a few week away from our Vacation Bible School for 2016, but I am encouraged by many of the conversations we have been having in preparing. The reason is that we are not leaving out what too many places forget…

It is a tragic act of absolute violence. It is cold-blooded murder. And it is happening more and more every day. The recent Orlando massacre is the latest shooting where innocent people became victims of terror. To try and figure out why these things are happening and what the motivation is behind them is really probably not going to solve the current situation in our world. And without being insensitive to any person affected by any of the mass shootings on our soil or abroad, let’s go ahead and state one thing that all of these terrible acts of violence have in common: A God who is very sad. Whether…

I remember a conversation I had a few years ago with a preacher friend of mine. He was telling me about a lady who had been baptized a few days earlier. He had only been at the church where he was preaching for a short time. The lady, however, had been attending worship services there for about ten years. Her conversion to Christ was the result of a simple question: “Are you a Christian?” Isn’t it amazing that, in ten years, nobody had ever asked her that question? Had they totally ignored her? Apparently not. She did remember what had been said to her by some members of that congregation. They had “encouraged” her by saying:…

I don’t know how many times I have been asked, “Are you ‘church of Christ’?” or “Are you a ‘church of Christ preacher’?” The answer, Biblically speaking, is “no.” That may surprise you for me to say. After all, I do preach for a church of Christ, and have been a member of various churches of Christ since I became a Christian about 26 years ago. I love the church of Christ, and I graduated from a university associated with churches of Christ. So why would I say that I am not “church of Christ?” It is very simply because I am a Christian only. I do not belong to…