One of the great moments in Old Testament history occurred when Moses scaled Mt. Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments. A brief overview of Exodus chapters 19 and 20 will inform the reader concerning some of the circumstances surrounding this event. The people had to consecrate themselves in order to be ready for the Law. Moses went up Sinai as it was covered with smoke. There were thunderings and lightning flashes and the sounds of a trumpet. The mountain shook and the people were not even allowed to come near its base. If they so much as touched the mountain they were to be put to death. Mostly what we…

To say that our daughter-in-law has a passion for the education program of a local congregation of the Lord’s people would be a classic understatement. She is especially interested in providing the very best possible education and training for the youth of whatever congregation she works with, but her interest extends far beyond the boundaries of that church.   Some might think that she is so passionate about this because she and our son have two children. Those of us who know her also know that this is not the case. Both she and her husband (our son) want every person who “grows up in the church” to know the Bible and how…

For nearly anyone, worship can become a bit rote at times. Though we know it is invaluable, we are human; thus, we struggle at times to stay truly engaged and thoughtful throughout the time. But some seem to think that it would take some major thing to get out of the rut, or to make worship more meaningful. Tragically, some stop coming. Just as tragically, some think they have to change God’s pattern (or worship where that pattern is not obeyed) and have bands, light shows, and more just to “up” the experience. But there are far simpler steps that each person can make to improve worship for themselves, while…

Years ago, Mac Davis had a song with these lyrics: “Oh Lord, it’s hard to be humble, when you’re perfect in every way.” Hearing that song makes me want to laugh out loud! Because guess what, you aren’t perfect. I’m not perfect. In fact we’re not even close. The greatest key to humility might be a healthy and realistic knowledge of self. It is an awareness issue. I’m not saying we shouldn’t like ourselves. But there is a huge difference between having self-confidence and looking in the mirror like Fonzie and saying, “heyyyyy.” If you were to consider the spiritual giants of the Bible, one quality most of them shared…

“We are a Bible-believing church!” We like to say that, and we hope it is true always. We preach the Bible. We teach the Bible in our classes. Our youth devotionals are centered in Scripture. We try to reach people with how to be saved, and that is only found in the Bible. But is the Bible really enough for us? Maybe not…at least, by the way we talk. After all, is “we are a Bible-believing church” (or anything like that) what we tell people about first and foremost? When we find something “wrong” with the church we attend, how often is it about the Truth, and how often is…

Many years ago there was a young lady who was engaged to be married. But she became pregnant before her wedding. It all became a huge scandal and attempts were made to keep it a secret. The young woman’s fiancé knew the child was not his. But he went through with the wedding and the child was taken in as his own. And for a while, everything seemed to be fine. But as time went on, the young couple started having some problems with their son. He was not always where they thought he should be. He seemed to have an agenda they did not understand. As the son grew…