Keep Going

                                                                      KEEP GOING

     The Christian life is a challenge. At times it seems that the easiest thing to do is to quit. Quitting is just fine if you want to lose. Quitting is just fine if you want to be lost. Quitting is just fine if you want to let your precious life melt away into a teeming pool of despair.

A Return To Guyana

A RETURN TO GUYANA

Paul's Price

                                           PAUL’S PRICE

     Our understanding of the closing years of the Apostle Paul’s life is not altogether complete. We know from Acts 28 that he was under house arrest, a form of imprisonment for Roman citizens under accusation, for “two whole years.” The nature of that imprisonment is much different from the one that forms the context for 2 Timothy.

The Real Big Game

THE REAL BIG GAME

     I rarely use other’s material for this bulletin or my blog, but this little article from my friend Neal Pollard out in Denver is just too good not to share.

     Yesterday, professional football fans saw one of the most exciting, improbable victories in its history climaxed by the stunning first play from scrimmage in overtime when Tebow hit Thomas for a playoff, overtime record 80 yards in a playoff, overtime record 11 seconds. Local play-by-play man Dave Logan’s call, which will likely go down in Bronco lore, captures how monumental it was for the underdog Denver team. If you watch ESPN, there will be several highlights of passes, runs, and defensive plays. However, without a doubt, the best play of the day happened up in the stands, almost on the front row in the seats at the 15 yard line. The game was tied, 23-23, and it was about 5:45 P.M. The outcome was completely unknown and very much in doubt. The last minute of regulation, alone, was a pins and needles affair. It was right about then that a Christian husband and father, a deacon in this congregation, told his son, “It’s time for us to go.” The son, a huge Tim Tebow and Broncos fan, was curious as to why. His dad explained, “We’ve got something more important to do.”

Getting Ready

                                                          GETTING READY

     Here we are with a brand new year in front of us. Time is an interesting concept. God made all of it to begin with (see Genesis for a full account!), though I wonder if He made it all at once with the end-date built in or He makes a little more as we go along and as He sees fit. Makes no practical difference to us since we don’t know when that end-date is in either case.

"What'll You Have?"

                                                                          WHAT’LL YOU HAVE?

     Ginger and I met in Atlanta and the boys were born while we were working with the church in LaGrange which is in Atlanta’s more distant environs. One of the good things about living around Atlanta was access to the Varsity Drive-Inn restaurant. It was (still is, I hope) a big drive-in just across the road from Georgia Tech. The fare included great hot dogs, fries, onion rings and other good things along with a beverage called a “frosted orange.” Absolutely awesome and guaranteed to keep the folks that make Tums and Prilosec busy.

Be Careful Out There

                                                            BE CAREFUL OUT THERE

     The first word of 1 Corinthians 16:13 is “watch” in the NKJV. The KJV has it as “watch ye.” You know the verse: “Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.” It is the translation of a word that has in the idea of being alert, wide awake and vigilant.

Exalting the Empty Mind

                                                                                EMPTY MINDEDNESS EXALTED

    One of the most familiar verses from the Gospel of John is 8:32: “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” Of the obvious implications of the verse is that there is such a thing as truth. This significant element of reality is and has been under assault.

Preparation

                                                                      PREPARATION AND TESTS

     You likely remember days in school or college when test time came along. I teach a little part-time and give tests from time to time and I’ve taken a few in my days. If the student prepares properly there is generally no problem with the test. The outcome for the unprepared student is also, but sadly, predictable.

Thankfulness in Trouble

                                                                THANKFULNESS IN TROUBLE

     It may seem altogether counterintuitive but when trouble comes, that’s a time to be thankful to God. At first this may seem “not quite right.” The idea most folks have is along the lines of, “Well, get me out of the trouble I’m in and then I’ll be so thankful you won’t believe it!” It just doesn’t work that way.