Two People Finding God in a Remote Wilderness
Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Luke 9:48 Ann, a twelve-year girl, built a castle on a white sand beach. On top of the castle, she placed a cross. For the balance of her day, she knelt and prayed. Praying and […]
Forgiveness Can Be Hard: The Story of Philemon
Forgiveness Can Be Hard: The Story of Philemon Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me. Philemon 1:11 The book of Philemon in the New Testament is one of the shortest books, at only 355 words. It contains only one chapter and its verses are […]
Recognizing the Risen Jesus
“Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight.” Luke 24:31 After the resurrection, Jesus walked to Emmaus with two disciples. Along the way, neither recognized Jesus but listened to his story. When they arrived in Emmaus, they sat down for a meal, and the risen Jesus prayed. Upon […]
Wisdom Gained Through Prayer
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Colossians 4:2 A friend of mine, whom we will call Tom, called this week looking for financial advice. He is unfortunately generally unaware of the workings of investing. He was very unhappy with his financial advisor and due to the Coronavirus had seen his saving shrink considerably. Far […]
Why I Love Being an American Citizen
Why I Love Being an American Citizen Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 1st Corinthians 12:7 In our community, like many others, we can only go out to shop for food, exercise outdoors or seek medical help. In Asheville, we are locked down. On a recent […]
Colossians: Working For God While In Prison
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Colossians 3:1 If you visit Ephesus, in all likelihood you will see a small tower in town that the locals will tell you it is the prison Paul was in when he […]
Love: Our Greatest Gift
“Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end.” 1 Corinthians 13:8 The very essence of all that lies in the Gospel and Jesus’ mission on earth was to love. It is the one trait and […]
Hebrews: Jesus Our Mediator with God
Hebrews: Jesus Our Mediator with God Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8 Around 65-70AD, Christians in the Roman Empire suffered severe persecution at the hands of Emperor Nero. Prompting some, notably Jewish Christians to want to return to Judaism to avoid persecution. Forgetting the purpose of Jesus. Their lives […]
Clarence Jordan And Bringing Jesus to Life
Clarence Jordan And Bringing Jesus to Life The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14 In 1942 Clarence Jordan and his wife, Florence, moved to a four hundred acre farm […]
What is the Value of a Homemade Cross?
What Is the Value of a Homemade Cross? Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2 As I was putting on a sweater to go out recently, I accidentally […]