Month: February 2006
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Allies and friends
Josheb, Eleazar, and Shammah are three names linked forever in the Bible. Who? No, they were not the three guys in the fiery furnace. That would be Shadrach, Meschach, and Abednego! The first three were collectively known in Israel as “David’s Mighty Men.” They were renowned for their battle field exploits, each one having distinguished […]
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Wanted – World Changers!
Scanning the employment listings in the Sunday paper is an old habit with me! I’m not looking for another job, and yet most Sunday afternoons I read down the columns. The range of jobs is wide, the qualifications varied. I find the header lines used to capture attention most interesting. These appeared in the Express-Times […]
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Jesus Saves- plain and simple.
The story of Jesus is powerful! I’ve always believed that, but in the earliest days of my ministry I was embarrassed by the ‘simplicity’ of the proclamation of the Good News. I thought that we needed to dress up the ancient story with psychology, with lessons on behavior modification, etc. I was mistaken. The Church’s […]
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Pay attention to Me!
I wonder if God ever wants to use that parental line with us? When He’s trying to communicate with us about some important choice, do we listen intently? Are we tuned in so that we are even aware that He is speaking to us? There are so many distractions around us. Our lives are filled […]
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Real Treasure
What do I value? That question shaped my meditation after I read Luke 12. My family is precious to me. I love my children and grandchildren! I adore my wife with feelings akin to worship. (Yes, I know that I have to careful there!) The privilege of serving a church as her pastor is high […]
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The essential Truth
“Did you know that they believe that…?” My friend had been to a Membership Class at the church she had attended for a year where she discovered that some of the doctrines of that church body were quite different from what she had been taught from childhood in a different congregation. She was surprised, even […]
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With hands lifted up
Raising our hands over our heads is a human behavior that recurs at different times, in different situations – but it always has a similar meaning. If you attend a Charismatic church you’ll see people standing with their hands raised during the praise and worship segment of the service. The meaning? “Lord, I give myself, […]
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Leaders – we need them!
Whether it is a family, a Boy Scout troop, or a nation, leadership is one of the key’s to peace, for unity, and for success. People need to be led. I’m not talking about having or being a boss. There are plenty of people who love to be ‘in charge’ because they like having power, […]
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Hewn and fit in place
Do you ‘fit in?’ Have you allowed God to shape you and place you where He wants, contented to be a part of His work, by His design? Peter uses a rich and wonderful metaphor that captures my imagination: “you, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house.” (1 Peter 2:5, NKJV) Reading […]
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His hair grew back!
Guilty! With that verdict comes shame, a sentence, and a mark for life. “Convicted felon” is a line no one wants to put in his resume. As a rule, our failures will be remembered far longer than our successes. Mention the name – Jimmy Swaggart – and see what people say. Will they speak of […]
CoffeeBreak With The Word 