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Nothing for the Back
Once again, a small statement included within a sermon chock full of thought-provoking truths is the inspiration for today’s article. Michael Grooms, Willow Avenue’s pulpit minister, recently made the simple statement noting that, in the list of our Christian armor (found in Ephesians 6:10-18), there are no pieces of the armor for the back of our bodies. He went on to point out that we are to constantly be moving forward toward our goal of heaven and taking others with us, not retreating. I don’t know about you, but many times in today’s world, I feel like I am on the defensive. My morality doesn’t fit with the crowd. My…
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A Thought about the Pearl
Over the years, including a number of times recently, I have had conversations with people who have left the denominational world in order to be “just Christians.” One of the things that is of interest to me is how so many of those who have done this speak of how they love the Truth and how they want to make sure the Lord’s church is unstained by doctrinal error. On the other hand, I have also had conversations with people who were “raised in the church,” but who now desire for the church to change. They want to see the church not be so stuck in the past and they…
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Some Last-Minute (and Inexpensive) Gift Ideas
I admire people who seem to have a knack for buying very appropriate gifts and for giving them at the very best time. Unfortunately, I’ve never been one of those people. Some people seem to love this time of the year and derive a lot of pleasure from being able to put their buying and giving skills “into overdrive.” People like me, on the other hand, have more of a fondness for holidays and other occasions when giving and receiving of gifts is not a part of the equation. Since a lot of gift giving and receiving is only a week away, I thought that I would compile a very short…
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‘Tis the Season
I know that you can finish the lyrics of the title of this post – to be jolly. At least that’s what we hear all of the time. “It’s the hap…hap…happiest time of the year,” or so we’re told. We hear words like: jolly, happy, peace, goodwill, etc. all around us in songs and conversation. But is that how everyone is feeling? I’ve seen the faces of some folks lately that say otherwise. We live in a land of plenty where most people have at least the basics that they need to live. Now, I know that I have lived a blessed life, but now realize that when I was a…
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The Key to Christian Unity
People struggle to get along with one another. That can even be true of Christians. Because we have our own likes and dislikes and we have different personalities, we can struggle at times with getting along. However, unity is the prayed-for desire of our Lord (John 17:21). He wants His people to be one. With all our differences, though, how can we do that? Recently at Central, we have sung an older hymn that I don’t remember singing for a little while. I know we’ve sung it before, but it just seems as if it had been some time and, now, we’ve sung it a couple of times in just…
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From Pester to Pastor
For a little over two decades of my time as a preacher, it was not uncommon for people to refer to me as a pastor. While I didn’t want to offend anybody who was trying to show respect for me and/or my work, I also did not want to assume a role and/or position for which I was not qualified. So, in an attempt to use a little humor to (hopefully) make a point or cause somebody to think or ask questions, I often responded, “I’m just the pester.” Since a lot of people seem to think that preachers pester people about what they are doing wrong or not doing…
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A Conversation Every Christian Needs to Have
There are a lot of important pieces of information and wisdom that help us throughout life. Each of us can look back on our lives and remember conversations that gave us just one bit of wisdom, but that was enough to aid us through a tough time or help us with something that would come later in life. Today, I want to suggest a conversation that every Christian should have. It won’t take but a few minutes, but it might just change your perspective. And it can be with any number of people. Here is who you go talk to: an older Christian who now struggles to get out of…
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It’s Not about the Groceries
Recently, I saw the following “online headline:” A grocery chain is removing self-checkout after realizing executives hate it as much as customers do: ‘We like to talk to people’ – Steve Mollman – Fortune – 11/10/23 The grocery chain which is the subject of the headline and following article is located in England. However, I’ve recently seen and read information about various businesses in The United States doing the same thing. Some are not totally removing the self-checkout lanes, but are significantly reducing the number of them. Even corporations such as Costco, Walmart, and others are studying and/or implementing this. To be fair, every source of information I’ve checked includes…
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Just a Picture on the Wall
If you’re like me, your home is decorated with pictures and plaques that have special meaning to you and your family. Some of them may be gifts that have been given to you. One of the largest paintings in our home hangs in our dining room. It was a gift from Jim on Christmas many years ago. I still love it and enjoy it. It isn’t just a painting on a wall, it is a memory of how much Jim pleases me with his wonderful gifts. In our study we have all different kinds of plaques and pictures that are mostly work related or inspiring. Some are drawings from friends,…
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Parents, This Christmas…
My post today is really simple and short. It is just a reminder to parents, including the one writing this article. This time of year, we feel pressure to make everything perfect for our kids. We think our house has to look like a New York City storefront. We try to bake perfect cookies. We want to go to dozens of events and watch 5 Christmas movies per day. We will search long and hard for gifts (some of which we can’t even afford). Stop it…and just spend time with your kids. If the lights on the tree go out, who cares? Make it a laughing memory. If the cookies…
