Job Loss Reflections

A lot of people are losing their jobs.   I know what it’s like to be working and told you’re services are no longer needed.  There are good things that can result from being “let go,” “fired,” or “given an early retirement.”  Here are a few thoughts…
It’s a great time to re-evaluate your life.   [...]

There Are No Tragedies For Christians

I didn’t say Christians don’t have pain in their lives, just that there are no tragedies.  A tragedy is pain without meaning or purpose.  For the Christian, every time we experience pain, there is a purpose.  There IS an answer to the “Why?” question.  Consider Romans 8:29…
   For those whom He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to [...]

The Economy: Trusting God’s Providence

Economic downturn… recession… uncertainty… international unrest.  When Christians hear of these things we should automatically think of Proverbs 3:5, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.”
In times of uncertainty Christians should rest heavily upon the providence of God.  This is the idea that life is NOT [...]

Banker Gives $60 Million To Employees!

  When Zacchaeus got saved he started giving.  He said, “I give half of what I own to the poor and if I’ve cheated anyone I’ll pay them back four times what I took!”  Jesus said, “Today salvation has come to this house.”
  I don’t know if Leonard Abess is a Christian, but he is certainly acting like [...]

Pride Is Good…

Pride is good?  Then what about 1 Peter 5:5… “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble?”  What about 2 Tim 3:1-2… “In the last days there will come times of difficulty.  For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant…?”
I agree with both passages, however, there is a kind of pride that IS good! [...]

When Friends Are Suffering

  Sooner or later one of our friends will have a tragedy enter their life.  It could be the loss of a spouse, child, job, or their health.  There are many well meaning Christians who want to help, but don’t know exactly what to do or what to say.
  DON’T!  Don’t go spiritual or Bible [...]

God’s Grace Is 200 Proof

While on my retreat with four other pasotrs, one of them read a quote from Robert Farrar Capon who is an Epispocal priest.  I love this  because it puts in word images what God did through Martin Luther to bring the Gospel to all people… not just the religious elite.
   The Reformation was a time [...]

85 Years From Sermon To Salvation!

Mr. Luke Short lived in Dartmouth England until he was 16 years old.  Before leaving England he had seen Oliver Cromwell and witnessed the beheading of King Charles I.  It was at this time he sailed for America.  As an adult he traveled as a seaman for many years until his age prevented him from [...]

Abortion Outrage: Face To Face With Life

This post is copied from Dr. Denny Burk.  I read it on Friday before I left town for a short time and scheduled it to be posted today.  Emphasis in his article by color is mine.
I just read a report in the Associated Press that is too awful to believe. But it is true nevertheless. An 18-year [...]

Stethoscope…

What would we hear if we could really “listen” to our heart?  Jesus gave us some insight (Which the video below supports.  Thanks to Beth Hendrix for the link).  Here’s what our Savior said…
  Matthew 12:33 Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree [...]

Retreat 2009

  The point of this post?  Mark 6:31… “Because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, (Jesus) said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.’”
  Going on four years in a row now, four other pastors and myself go to [...]

My Son Is Okay… But We Got A Scare…

We got a call today that every parent dreads getting…
  ”Is this Mrs. Ethridge?  My name is Johnny… your son has been in a wreck and the ambulance is on the way.”  Pam: “Is he okay… how bad is he injured?”  Johnny: “He’s awake and talking…” Pam: “Is he okay?”  Johnny: “I think so, would you [...]

Church Life: Cease Fire Versus Peace

  I wonder how many hatchets are buried in churches with the handle sticking out?  Let me explain…
  I was in a meeting last night where a devotion was given regarding a church situation (The church had been through some difficult times).  The man stated that there is a difference between a cease fire and peace.  The [...]

Victim Or Student?

If you’ve lived any time at all, you’ve been the recipient of  unfair treatment.  People have said things about you that weren’t true, or sometimes were outright lies.  How you respond says more about you than what is said about you or the person who said it.  As I once read… “The same sun that [...]

Super Bowl Commercial (Reject)

The best commercial for Super Bowl 2009 was… REJECTED.  This is due either to NBC’s moral and political views OR an unwillingness to be politically incorrect.  Either way, you can see the commercial below…