Generally, all of us act, speak, and think in a particular way due to reasons. I mow my yard for the reason that my grass is long; I do the dishes for the reason that my wife cooked the meal; I pay the water and sewer bill for the reason that I value a shower...
For most of us, tests are not something we really care for, and for many, we would rather avoid a test rather than to take a test. And this is especially true when we are unprepared for the test. The same can apply to temptation, and although most would rather avoid temptation, we simply cannot...
As a young boy growing up in Missouri and spending countless afternoons with my friend Rob exploring the crick near our homes, we quickly learned the importance of correctly identifying some of the creatures we encountered and enjoyed catching. For example, although both are turtles, there is a vital difference between a snapping turtle and...
Masks are a big deal nowadays. They unite, they divide, they protect, they hide, and they have become a symbol of the pandemic that is COVID. My heart this week is to talk about masks, but from a perspective not of division or even unity, but from a reflection of our selves and our souls....
One of the most common questions asked during this season is, “What are your plans for Christmas?”, and for many, these plans consist of travel to multiple family events, various Christmas programs or performances, office parties, and the like. In any case, I think it is fair to generalize and say that nearly everyone has...
Have you ever found yourself in a situation in which you believe you were unfairly treated? I suspect all of us have at some point of our lives, and hence this teaching is good medicine for us. We will look at Matthew 20:1-16 and the Parable of the Vineyard Workers where a group of laborers...
What do you most fear? As a kid I feared going down into my grandparents basement. It was dark, damp, smelled funny, the stairs were steep, and it had a deep scary hole in the corner. Though I’ve long outgrown that fear, as an adult I have other fears. What about you, what do you...
If you were a paratrooper, would you jump out of an airplane without securing your parachute? That would not be wise! Being prepared for what you know is coming is crucial to survival. Jesus is coming back for His church. Will He find faith on the earth? How have you prepared for meeting the Lord...
Imagine yourself sitting alone, locked behind bars in a barren prison cell. Your only company is your depressed, angry, guilt-ridden thoughts. Time is at a standstill as you wait for the day when the warden will come with the key to open the cell door and announce that you are free to go. Can you...
As we read the gospel narratives, we encounter Jesus as the master teacher, and one of His primary methods of teaching was the use of parables. Most simply, a parable is a short story that uses everyday things or events to illustrate a spiritual principle or truth. In His ministry, Jesus uses parables to most...
