Internet Safety
Parenting in 2022 comes with many of the same challenges our parents navigated, but the internet and electronic devices have changed so quickly and drastically that I feel like we are in uncharted waters. Back in the 80’s, my mom was trying to decide how old I had to be to get my ears pierced. She can’t give me advice on the appropriate age for social media or internet safety because this is new territory.
Digging in to the Soil of Scripture
“Read your Bible, pray every day,
Pray every day,
Pray every day.
Read your Bible, pray every day,
And you’ll grow, grow, grow.”
God’s Letter of Love
Handwritten letters are facing extinction! To many, written communications are limited to a tiny screen. Sentences have been replaced with phrases that are filled with more text abbreviations than words. The messages are instantly sent, but the restricted length limits the closeness between the sender and the recipient. To receive a handwritten letter in the mail is a rare treasure that displays the character and personality of the sender. The time taken to write a letter reflects the sender’s love and respect for the receiver. No matter how elaborate or simple the paper, it is the penned words that bear the true message. The most impressively decorated paper or card is insignificant if the words aren’t heartfelt.
What Does it Mean to be “Pro-Life”?
Sanctity of Human Life Sunday is commemorated this year on Sunday, January 16, 2022. Sanctity of Human Life Sunday began in response to the Supreme Court decision on January 22, 1973 that resulted in legalized abortion in the US (Roe V. Wade). President Ronald Reagan proclaimed the first National Sanctity of Human Life Day to celebrate life and to remember the lives lost to abortion. Since then, many pro-life organizations, ministries, and churches take time to proclaim and affirm their pro-life views. This month is a good time to ponder the question—what does it mean to be pro-life?
What Does Your Bible Say About You?
Late last year, a former ministry co-worker of ours died unexpectedly. We viewed the memorial service on a Saturday morning as it was live-streamed from a church in Florida. After the music, the reading of the obituary, and a few testimonials, the pastor got up to speak. He began his message in a rather unique way to us, but one that was totally expected by his congregation. On the pulpit, he placed a stack of Bibles. He shared with us that his father had encouraged him to do this at funerals of his congregants as his father had done over the years with his own. So, he explained that the Bibles were those of the deceased – her church Bible, her devotional Bible, her travel Bible, and her “recliner” Bible.
Church Membership
So…why church membership? This is the topic we shall fly over today in hopes of building a better vision of the topography of this precious landscape.
Just Do It
For ten years it was my privilege to serve on The Committee for Integrity Enhancement. This organization in our community was started by a dear friend of mine who saw an opportunity to promote, encourage, honor and reward integrity among students and community leaders. The annual essay contest challenges students in grades 4-12 to think about the importance of showing integrity and to identify specific ways that personal integrity can make a difference to those around us.
Pray About Your Praying
Have you ever found yourself in this awkward position—someone comes up to you and says, “Thank you so much for praying about . . .,” when the reality is that you meant to pray, but forgot?
Two Ordinances
As we work our way through discipleship topics, it is important to remember that God’s Word is our sole authority for both faith and practice. In other words, the Bible teaches us what we ought to believe and how we ought to live. That is not popular in today’s culture. People want to live their “own truth,” which means they want to do what they want to do. They don’t want to be told what is right or wrong. But that is not the way of a Christian. We choose to submit our own will and way to God’s, trusting that He knows better than we do what is best for us. His goal for our lives is to make us more like Christ—for our good and His glory.
Consider My Ways
You may be wondering how this article fits in with our theme of discipleship. If you look at each of the bold-type statements throughout the piece, you will find that God disciples His children through nature. What a kind and gracious God He is! While He uses many other ways to teach us—His Word, His Spirit, other believers, preaching, etc.—even His very creation displays the truths He wants us to live by. Before you were born, He was preparing the world to help you know Him! Thank you, Ann, for recognizing these things in the world.
How Do I Know I Am Saved?
Isn’t the salvation of God something wonderful? God swoops down from heaven to rescue us from ourselves, our flesh, our sin, and from Satan, that great Deceiver who would have us go through life lost and confused, cursing God, and spending all of eternity with him in hell.
Discipleship: Recipe for the Christian Life
When I was a brand new bride, my husband and I believed that love made the world go around. It didn’t matter to us that we were poor. It didn’t matter that all of our furniture was hand-me-downs. It didn’t matter that we only had one car, but worked different schedules in different places. We would do whatever it took to make life work. And since we had each other, we knew it would all be fine.
Christmas War
Christmas carols are a big part of our celebration and worship at this time of year, as they ought to be. We are familiar with the songs of worship and praise, such as “Joy to the World” and “Angels, We Have Heard on High,” along with it’s exuberant refrain of “Gloria! In excelsis Deo!” We weep over the tender, intimate carols, such as “Silent Night” and “O Holy Night,” as we light candles and sit close to those we love. And we marvel over the melodies that invite us to partake of the Christ Child and invite Him into our hearts and lives, such as “O Come All Ye Faithful” and “The Little Drummer Boy.”
Christmas Spirit
Can you imagine living at the time that Jesus was born and lived on Earth? You’ve been hearing stories of a Messiah who is coming someday. You’ve learned the prophecies since you were old enough to remember. Your grandparents told you what they learned from their grandparents, who learned it from their grandparents: someday, the Messiah would come.
The Promised One
Can you imagine living at the time that Jesus was born and lived on Earth? You’ve been hearing stories of a Messiah who is coming someday. You’ve learned the prophecies since you were old enough to remember. Your grandparents told you what they learned from their grandparents, who learned it from their grandparents: someday, the Messiah would come.
The Gift of Encouragement
Does your face light up when someone gives you a compliment? Does your spirit soar when someone acknowledges your hard work? Are you more likely to give your best effort when you know someone is cheering you on and sincerely wanting you to succeed? Of course!
Two Different Prescriptions
Anger has a similar mystery. We know that a fleshly temper is toxic, but we also know that Jesus toppled tables in the Temple. We read that Elijah slew 450 prophets of Baal after the contest at Mount Carmel; yet, when Moses struck a rock twice, he lost entrance into Canaan. So is anger right or wrong? The correct answer is: “Yes!” There are actually two forms of anger.
Thanks Be to God
I have celebrated the past 28 Thanksgivings with my husband, and every one of them has held the same traditions. That’s unusual for us because we travel so frequently. Nearly every year, we are in a different place for the holiday. But we still hold to many time-tested habits…
Teach the Women to Love their Husbands
That the aged women…may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.” Titus 2:3-5
Redefining Good
When life seems overwhelming and trials seem to be queued up awaiting their turn, it is easy to ask God why? Why does HER life seem so easy? Why do bad things happen to good people? Why does God ALLOW this pain to continue?