The Power Of Prayer
Dr. Wilbur Chapman often told of his experience when, as a young man, he went to become pastor of a church in Philadelphia. After his first sermon, an old gentleman said to him, “You’re pretty young to be pastor of this church. But you preach the Gospel, and I’m going to help you all I can.” More
Does God Know About This?
A couple in Arkansas once gave their six-year-old son strict instructions to come home from playing every afternoon no later than 5 p.m. He was allowed to play with his friends, but his parents were quite serious about his curfew. More
Super-Gluing The Dog's Ear
Anni Sheriffius had taken her dog Jasmine to an unlicensed dog groomer. Later she was trying to wash off what she thought was dirt—when the dog’s ear fell off. More
A Lesson From Enrico Caruso
Enrico Caruso was an Italian tenor who thrilled audiences in Europe and North and South America about 100 years ago. He was one of the first to embrace the new technology known as the phonograph (or gramophone). More
Things Are Not Always What They Seem
In 1941, star halfback Johnny Chung was leading his football team to a storybook season. Plainfield Teachers College won its first four games by scores of 13-0, 27-0, 35-0 and 23-0. More
No One Can Put It Out
A Texas oilman died and went to heaven. After a few days, his bragging was getting on St. Peter’s nerves. No matter what part of paradise he was shown, the oilman claimed it failed to measure up to Texas. More
Swimming in the Dark
In May 1997, Susan Maroney became the first woman to swim the 118 miles from Cuba to Florida. In her third attempt, the then-22-year-old Australian swam for 24 1/2 hours in shark-infested waters, surrounded by a 28-by-8-foot shark proof cage. More
A Bad Attitude Is Like A Flat Tire
The T-shirt read, "I don't need your attitude. I have one of my own." Another one read, "WARNING: Bad Attitude." Those are funny, in a way, perhaps because we all have bad attitudes from time to time. More
The Last Words We Say To Each Other
Since we never know when we'll speak for the last time to one another, shouldn't our parting words be those of love and acceptance? Whether you actually say "I love you," or not, make sure that those who know you would remember something loving and kind--and Christ-like--about you. More
No Lemon For The Fish
God lavishes His abundance on us, even if we are not always grateful. He provides the fish, and sometimes He tosses in a little lemon with it. If He chooses not to include the extras, however, let us be grateful for what He does give. More
When Jesus Knocks On Your Door
Many years ago, in the posh community of Hillsborough, California, a man set out with his wife and children late one Christmas Day to sing carols for the neighbors. As they were warming up their voices outside the first stop, the woman of the house came to the door, looking distraught. More
Heaven On The Updraft
What are you depending on to get you into Heaven? It's astounding how many people think they're "going to heaven on the updraft"--someone else's relationship to Christ. More
Happy Mother's Day
The most important job you could ever have is that of being a mother. We thank God today--and everyday--for your love and encouragement that has sustained us through some dark days. We praise God for your holy lives and unwavering faith that have provided godly examples for all of us. And we quietly reflect on your lives which have led us down narrow paths. More
When The Bottom Falls Out
Often in our own lives we may be hit with circumstances so it feels that the bottom has literally fallen out of our lives. We're doing everything just the way we're supposed to, minding our own business, trying to live a good life and be kind to others. We attend worship regularly, pray, read our Bibles, give generously, and even tell a few friends about our faith in Christ--all the things a "good" Christian is supposed to do.
But even with all that, sometimes the bottom falls out from under us anyway. More
How The Birds Got Their Wings
There is a story about how birds got their wings. It's only a legend, of course, but it does serve to show us an important truth to remember when it seems that life is falling in. More
Intersections (Revised)
There are all kinds of lines in our world. Property lines. Goal lines. Power lines. State lines. There’s the bottom line, the line of fire, the scrimmage line, the skyline, the punch line. Added to those are deadlines, laugh lines, and imaginary lines, and of course, waistlines. More
Why Go To Church?
Emma Major is a lay minister in Great Britain. She maintains a blog on the internet, on which she recently wrote that people frequently ask her whether it matters if they go to church every Sunday. More
He Sometimes Says "No"
Have you ever had God say "No" to one of your most fervent prayers? Ultimately, we must acknowledge that God has a purpose in allowing His children to suffer, even if we do not or cannot know what that purpose is. More
Shout Gate Christians
There are many people alive in our day whose experience with God is mostly, if not entirely, second-hand. All they know about God is what someone else has told them. They are living off the spiritual experience of others, never really knowing for themselves the joy and peace of living with Christ. More
Coloring The Routine
There are others who depend on us. Wouldn't it be marvelous if we could "dedicate" each day to the Lord, imagining Him standing beside us with a hand on our shoulders, watching us, guiding us, counseling us, walking with us? More
Diamonds On The Top
God's Word can be compared to that diamond field. Some of the gems are lying right on top of the ground. They are easy to spot and pick up. Others are to be found only after a lot of digging and searching out. More
Throwing Your Cap Over The Wall
Perhaps it's time to throw your cap over a wall. Set a challenge for yourself that will cause you to stretch beyond where you have settled down in your Christian life. More
Huh?
Let me encourage you--if you are a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ--to make extra sure that your observance of Christmas is decidedly and pointedly Christian. Let there be no mistake or misunderstanding which holiday you are observing--and why. More
Proof Of Our Love
The Green Bay Packers of the National Football League are different from every other professional football teams in America, in that the team is publicly owned. In 1922, local merchants put up $2,400 to save the floundering football franchise, establishing a public nonprofit corporation. More
Three Little Words
With a new focus, we make fresh discoveries about God, ourselves, and the world He made. So whatever we face, let's remember the wisdom of a little fourth-grader named Joe, compressed into three little words...More
It Can't Be Done
"I can't do that." We may have programmed ourselves into believing that the situation is too difficult. Finding the strength to face another day, to smile in the fog of living, or to be excited about life in general may seem impossible at times. More
Remember Y2K?
We expend a lot of energy being afraid of things that may never happen. Sometimes the steps we take in order to avoid the things we fear cause even more problems than we would have had if we had just left things alone. This often is the result of our trying to take things into our own hands... More
Meat and Bone
Do I see that ALL of God’s Word is exactly that—His Word? Do I recognize the Bible as being 100% God’s Word to us today? If I don’t, then the entirety of God’s Word is in question, because who decides which is true and which is not? More
What Will You Find When You Dig?
To be honest, sometimes we stop digging in God's Word because we already know what we will find: God's Word will contradict some habit or lifestyle we have chosen, and we will find ourselves under conviction. Take it from someone who has been under conviction many times--it is not a pleasant place to be, and the longer we resist, the more unpleasant it becomes. More
Faithful, Focused, Patient
If a dog can be focused and that committed to his assigned task, then shouldn't we also? To the dog, the task looked impossible: the paper was under the car and he couldn't get to it. But he didn’t do what we so often do: when we are faced with "impossible" challenges many times we just turn and walk away, saying "Oh well, maybe we weren't meant to do that." More
What's It for?
Come to think of it, God could have created the world in black and white, but He added color! If God would do such wonderful things in such marvelous, minute detail, should it surprise any of us that He loved the world so much that He sent His One and Only Son? More
Steering the Float
The guy steering the float has only one job: to listen and obey. That’s not much different from our own responsibility, as we follow the Holy Spirit. More
Behold The Baboushka!
“Come with us,” they said. “We have seen His star in the east and go to worship Him.” “I will come, but not now,” she answered. “I have my house to set in order; when this is done I will follow and find Him.” More
The "Li Bien" Ornament
With exquisite skill and intricate detail, our Father has fashioned our lives. With the brush of the Holy Spirit, He has not only initialed our hearts, but has given us an entirely New Name. More
Longing for God's Word
I do not take delight in God’s Word as I should. It is not always honey to my mouth, or light for my path, nor can I always say that my heart trembles at the Word of God. More
You Can't Do That
As people were leaving, one of our visitors came up to me, a man whom I had met just before the service began. He said, "Pastor, you can't do this." Uh oh, my brain said. What do we have here?
This is Wisdom?
We who follow the Lord Jesus Christ must be careful not to allow this poisonous philosophy to creep into our hearts and minds. Today more than ever we must know what the Scriptures teach and be bold in our witness and testimony. More
Fluffing the Fire Extinguisher
The next time you find yourself upside down, and you see the rubber mallet in God's Hand, remember that He is only doing that to shape you and make you what He wants you to be. More
Knowing What The Saddle Is For
The mature Christian, the one who is constantly growing in Christ, can be compared to a horse which has learned to trust his trainer, and knows what the saddle is for. More
Ignoring the Warnings
How many times have I ignored the warning signs God has placed in front of me? How often do I just casually go on my merry way, thinking that of all the people in history, this surely doesn’t apply to me? More
Make Sure You've Got Some Back Up!
When troubles come, make sure you have the proper foundation for your life. Or, as the stray dog would say, “Make sure you’ve got some back up!” More
Shhh. It's Okay.
Be still, and let God remind you that He is God. And when you calm down just a bit, you will hear His Beautiful, Wonderful, Loving, Soothing Voice say to you, “Shhh. It’s okay.” More
When Your Time Comes What Will You Do?
When the time comes for you to stand for Christ, whether in front of only a few or millions of people, what will you do? What will I do? More
Boat People vs. Water-Walking People
Lack of faith causes us to see only what our eyes can see. It prevents us from doing anything beyond the realm of immediate possibility. Lack of faith causes us to sit dumbfounded in the boat, while others walk on water. More
Tossed by the Wind, Or Standing on the Solid Rock?
Sometimes we may feel as though we’ve been tossed by the wind of our circumstances, so that we can’t touch solid ground. More
Jesus and Multnomah Falls
In the state of Oregon there is a beautiful waterfall that I hope to see one day. More
What Will They Hear Us Say?
One day, when we are gone, someone will remember something we said. What will they hear us say? More
Country Roads
How many areas of life have I left unexplored, just because it was a little out of the way? More
Kick Back
Kick back and try to imagine anything--anything--bigger than God. More
Music From the Fire
We can gather songs along the way, storing them up for the day when we will need to hear them most. More
The Game's Not Over Until It's Over
The game - nor life - is not over until it's over. Be encouraged! Don't give up! Stay the course! More
Cheerful Thoughts
We can make a difference in the lives of other people while we’re here. More
Don't Let A Rock Take Your Place
Lift up your voice and your heart in praise to your Heavenly Father. More
Drowning Recorded, But No One Helps
Rather than offer others Living Water, rather than point them to Christ, we spend our time being focused on much lesser things. More
He's All I Need
Jesus is my Nourishment, and He is all I need. More
What Price?
An "eBayer" recently paid $305 for an empty gourmet dog food can that reportedly came from Paris Hilton's trash. More
The Most Telling Strokes
"When I pause the longest, I make the most telling strokes with my brush." More
Stuck Upside Down?
Feeing stuck upside down? More
Hummingbird or Bumblebee Christians
The thought occurred to me how much like some Christians those two creatures are. More
New Year: My Top Ten Predictions for the New Year
Everyone else does it. Here are my predictions for the New Year. More
Christmas: The Legend of "Big Joe" The Church Bell
Read the legend of the church bell that shattered windows when it was first rung, and what they did about it. More
Do You Have a Decision to Make?
Here’s something to think about the next time you are faced with making an important decision. Our English word “decide” comes from the Latin word “decidere,” which means “to cut off.” How does cutting off something relate to making a decision? More
That Sure Helps
It was "Ask the Pastor" Day in Sunday School, and the pastor stopped by the first grade department. There were a lot of questions.... More
Keeping Your Torch Lit
Officials reported that as the date for the 1998 Winter Olympics drew nearer, those running with the Olympic Torch were having trouble keeping the fire burning. It was a troublesome problem from the beginning. So they came out with a new torch.... More
We Need Nothing Else
Sir Christopher Wren was commissioned to design the great Corn Market in Windsor, England. His frist design was rejected because it showed no pillars holding up the roof. He explained the pillars would not be needed, but the city fathers.... More
Hurry Up, God!
Phillips Brooks was known throughout the English-speaking world in the 19th century as "a prince of preachers." We know him as the man who wrote the familiar Christmas carol, "O Little Town of Bethlehem." One day Brooks was pacing the floor like a caged lion. One of his friends asked him, "What is the trouble?" "The trouble," replied Brooks...More
The Pump-Priming Principle
The "Pump-Priming Principle" says that ordinarily, great things do not just happen to us. We must be prepared--primed--before we can be receptive to the things God wants to do in our lives. More
The Waiting Time
Louis XIV, king of France, ordered a coach brought to the front door of his residence one day. When the coach pulled up in the nick of time, the king is reported to have said...More
What Shape Is Your Pumpkin?
A farmer once went to the county fair with a pumpkin that was the exact shape and size of a two-gallon jug. It was so unusual that his pumpkin won the blue ribbon. When asked how he got a pumpkin to grow like that, the farmer replied .... More
Turning the Light On
When we are in the darkness of discouragement, we don't see the things that might trip or bruise. When we are hurting, we don't understand that the thing that caused the pain may have a much greater purpose than we have experienced. More
He Said He Loves Us!
We may feel sometimes as if God doesn't love us. But instead of whimpering in the dark, we can remind ourselves that God really does love us. More
The Backside of the Storm
The storms will blow through, but the good news is that if you keep your light burning through them, you will come out and find that the backside of the storm is far more splendid than anything you ever imagined. More
Those Who Sway, Those Who Stand Strong
The morning (May 30, 2004) here in central Mississippi was rather windy. On the way to church I noticed that the wind was tossing the trees around, a sight that always fascinates me. I don’t talk on a cell phone while driving—I watch the trees in the wind (which is probably even more dangerous!). More
Quack! Come to Me
Jesus commands us to learn from Him, to allow Him and His way of life to become such a part of our lives and who we are, that we instantly know His heart. The result is that we will find rest for our souls, the rest we’ve been searching for, the rest we need, the rest that makes every burden light, the rest that changes our entire lives. More
Don't Focus on the Scraps
Suppose I hold a 4-inch by 4-inch dark blue square of a rug in front of you and ask, "What color do you think my rug is?" More
Intersections
There are all kinds of lines in our world. Property lines. Goal lines. Power lines. State lines. There’s the bottom line, the line of fire, the scrimmage line, the skyline, the punch line. Added to those are deadlines, laugh lines, and imaginary lines, and of course, waistlines.
But there are a couple of other lines which are very, very important: the two lines which form the shape of a cross. More
Eight Benefits of Adversity
Let me share what happened one Sunday morning at the church I pastor. When I got there, I discovered that there had been a fatal auto accident in the middle of the night, and two students, ages 16 and 17, at a nearby academy were killed. They were classmates of our young people, who were just finding out what had happened just before Sunday School. The whole church was affected. More
