Monthly Archives: February 2014

A couple of years ago, during a spiritual emphasis sermon series, I encouraged our church family to carry a twenty-dollar bill with them and give it to someone in need when the opportunity arose.  Twenty-dollars posed a significant stretch for those … Continue reading →

Some stories become classics because they capture human nature in its truest form and provide windows into history’s transitions.  For example, Ernest Hemmingway’s novel, “The Old Man and the Sea” became a monumental capstone at the end of his literary … Continue reading →

This “something else” for Jesus was His Father’s kingdom.  His stories were called “parables”, which bring two things alongside one another for contrast or comparison.  In the case of Jesus’ teachings, eternal truths were brought alongside human experiences to drive His point … Continue reading →

The Story Teller I love stories.  We all do.  The question of why we love them is an interesting one. We love a good story because stories imitate life.  The reason books and movies move us is because they allow … Continue reading →

The Uncommon Factor What set’s Christians apart?  If we are involved in the sanctification process, we will certainly be distinguishable by virtue of our behavior.  But even this isn’t all that unique, since many people in our culture strive to … Continue reading →

From yesterday: In contrast, the outcome of the Christian journey is certain, and everyone who lives for Christ can be assured of their final victory.  It is true, we can’t predict where the Lord will take us, or how He … Continue reading →

The word “journey” is most often used to describe a process full of unpredictable events.  This is why many Christians speak of their walk with the Lord as a journey.  Certainly, when we make our decision to follow Jesus, we can’t … Continue reading →

Our Common Journey  John Bunyan wrote “A Pilgrim’s Progress” while serving a prison term for preaching without a license.   The church governing body that had him arrested thought they were upholding a criteria that honored the tradition of the gospel. … Continue reading →

Ironically, the most eternally significant trait we share is the one we struggle most to admit to one another.  We don’t shrink from crying out to others when our homes have been blown away by a storm, or when we … Continue reading →

Our Common Condition                                      What makes a thing or a people common?  In some ways, the answer to this question is a matter of perspective.  A “commoner”, for instance, is someone who lacks social rank or nobility, and is unable to … Continue reading →