One of the hallmarks of a Christian overwhelmed by God’s grace is a generous, giving spirit—and it doesn’t necessarily mean he or she has a great deal to give! I’m blessed to serve as pastor of a people who are generous, yet I don’t think anyone in the church could be classified as wealthy. Our…
This is day is 22,703. And what’s so significant about that, you ask? Well, let me explain. Several years ago, I was reading Psalm 90 and I decided to take one of the verses very literally. The Psalm begins by extolling God’s eternal existence, which gives a great sense of security. Moses, who wrote the…
One of the last things Jesus told his closest disciples before the Ascension was “You will be my witnesses….” Earlier, he told them “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to all creation.” Ever since, followers of Jesus have sought meaningful ways to accomplish that charge. Witness In an effort to be an…
MARCH 17, 2020 Dear Faith Baptist family: I’m sure you are in just as much turmoil as I am over the COVID-19 crisis. Some of us have lived through other national emergencies, and they were quite traumatic. But I don’t think even the 9/11 terrorist attacks created as much widespread upheaval for average Americans. No…
As we’re all very well aware, the whole world is in an upheaval over the Covid-19 pandemic. Gratefully, we live in an area that has yet to be directly affected by the virus. Nevertheless, because of the ease of contagion and the potentially rapid spread of this disease, we must be prudent and vigilant. At…
Charles Spurgeon loved reading the Puritans. As he read, he would underline, mark sections, highlight them. Likely, Spurgeon would have loved the invention of the Highlighter pen! One writer he returned to frequently was Thomas Manton, and from the writings of the long-deceased Puritan, Spurgeon extracted a host of quotes that he then expanded upon…
Looming on the horizon later this Thanksgiving week, Black Friday beckons the highly commercialized and materialistic West to shop. Luring us into the darkness with promises of unbeatable deals on everything from diamonds and luxury cars to toys and clothing, shoppers are urged to forgo sleep to take advantage of door-buster bargains, and then shop…
Some people enjoy meandering through cemeteries, especially old ones, and ponder the tombstones. A few have made a hobby of gravestone rubbing, which I understand is a bit controversial—some states have made the practice illegal. I certainly can’t claim that visiting cemeteries is one of my pastime pleasures. I don’t recall ever scheduling a recreational…
The tension in the air was so thick you could cut it with a knife. A single key play could make one partnership a ton of money, but certainly lead to the bankruptcy of another. Or if the second partnership got the play, the first’s control would be broken. I’m getting ahead of myself. The…
How well would you do trying to put your foot through a ¾ inch board? Personally, I think I’d end up with a bruised heel rather than a split board! Nevertheless, that was the challenge confronting our almost-six-year-old grandson at his recent Tae Kwon Do belt test as he attempted to earn his Bo Belt—one…