When Silence Isn’t Golden

A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
— Proverbs 25:11 (NIV)
Have you ever said, “Silence is golden?” Most of us have. It is true in many ways. For example: When the little ones are finally settled in bed at night, don’t most parents bask in the peaceful golden glow of [...]

The Baptism Question

In spiritual conversations with friends and family members one question has been asked of me more than any other. Being aware that discussions of baptism have occasionally led to fractured friendships and falling-outs with family members, I’ve tried to steer clear of conflict when discussing this topic. Still, there is little doubt in my mind [...]

Spiritual Warfare

Paul usually wrote without equivocation regarding the call of God on the lives of those who wish to follow Jesus. Ephesians 5:8-11 is no exception. Here we read:
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, [...]

Wandering Sheep

She had that wild-eyed look about her as she rushed around the corner. She declared for the world to hear, “Ashley is missing!”
The response from somebody standing nearby was, “What?”
“Ashley is missing!” was this frantic mother’s reply as she rushed to speak with a park official standing nearby.
This jolting exchange occurred about 20 [...]

Criticism: An Ever-Present Temptation

With the tongue we praise our Lord
and Father, and with it we curse men,
who have been made in God’s likeness.
Out of the same mouth come praise
and cursing. My brothers, this should
not be. –James 3:9-10
A few years ago a sister in Christ approached me and asked, “Do you have any information on criticism?” [...]

Growing Closer to God

Have you ever come across something in your files that looks familiar—like it could be something that you’ve written but you’re not certain? Well this post contains a list that comes from that category. The thing that makes me think I came up with it is the quirky alliteration. I’m kinda known for that. But [...]

I Like Same, Not Change

“Any change, at any time, for any reason, is to
be deplored.” So stated the Duke of Cambridge
in the late 1800’s.

The duke quoted above is not alone in expressing this sentiment. A few years ago, while one of our children was down for his afternoon nap, my industrious wife decided to rearrange the living room. A [...]

Studying the Book of Revelation

When it comes to studying the Scriptures, one of the most exciting sections is the revelation from Jesus Christ, which God made known by sending his angel to his servant John. Through the years, these 404 verses (as previous generations have divided them) have been the source of intense study, many questions and no little [...]

Taming the Tongue

—Have you ever said something that you wish you hadn’t said? Of course you have. Everyone does it. Some do it more often than others.
—Have you ever wished you had something you didn’t say? Well, duh! This happens all the time, doesn’t it?
—Has someone ever said something to you that you wish they hadn’t [...]

Encouraging Words

Knowing my week would involve a couple of alligator wrestling matches, dealing with a cantankerous heater, some insurance company nonsense and a couple of cranky old coots, God sent numerous blessings my way last week in the form of encouraging words…
—There was the kind word spoken by one of my spiritual shepherds following last Sunday [...]

Frustrations and the Holy Spirit’s Fruit

I went to the bank to make a deposit a couple of days ago. There was only one teller on duty at this small branch. The line was long. I waited patiently for the five people who were in front of me. It seemed to take forever for each one to do his or her [...]

A Most Majestic Mission

Romans 10:13 sets forward a bold declaration: “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” This quote from the Messianic message of Joel 2:32, serves as a synecdoche (a figure of speech in which a part represents the whole), which speaks of a person’s acceptance of Jesus as Messiah and surrender [...]

Are You Living a Blessed Life?

A man went into a restaurant and said, “Do you serve crabs here?”
And the waiter said, “Why, yes sir, we serve anybody here.”
Have you noticed some people have an incredible ability to go with the flow, without ever really being flustered by life’s up’s and down’s? Have you noticed, on the other hand, how some [...]

Healthy Communication

Although it takes various forms, communication involves exchanging information. Much good is accomplished through effective exchanges. Poor or inappropriate exchanges can do incredible harm. That is why we must continually strive to improve our communication skills. Consider these helpful biblical guidelines for healthy communications.
Be Loving… Ephesians 4:15 indicates that we are to speak the truth [...]

Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive

What do Johnny Mercer, Bing Crosby, The Andrews Sisters, Artie Shaw and Kay Kyser have in common? They are recording artists. All scored a Billboard hit with a recording of the collaborative work of Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer. Can you name that tune? It was Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive.
Johnny Mercer’s recording reached the number one [...]

Be A Doer, Not A Stewer

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as
unwise but as wise, making the most of
every opportunity, because the days are
evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but
understand what the Lord’s will is.
—Ephesians 5:15-17
Several years ago, a friend of mine wrote an article under the above title. He began by telling of a colleague whose philosophy is: [...]

Friendship

Jackie Robinson, a baseball pioneer and legend, broke the color barrier in the major leagues. In doing so, he faced jeering crowds in every stadium. One day in his home stadium in Brooklyn, he committed an error. He stood at second base, while fans ridiculed him.
Then, as reported by Leadership Magazine, shortstop Pee Wee [...]

Be of Good Cheer

While working for his former employer, a Christian friend of mine had an extremely high pressure job. One Wednesday evening, I asked him how he was doing. He responded, “This day has been a long week.”
Have you ever had a day like that—a day when it seemed as though nothing was going right? Like the [...]