…free from your burdens!

Dung Beetle Lives
     'The Way' from Kevin Pauley

I once thought all these (self-righteous works) were so very important, but now I consider them worthless (KJV reads dung) because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the priceless gain of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I may have Christ. - Philippians 3:7-8 Generally, dung beetles don’t get a lot of respect. They usually don’t get noticed by anyone not playing around in a cow pad. However, in tropical climes they can be extremely numerous and busy workers.…

Scoop I (1-26-11)
     'Today's Little Lift' from Jim Bullington

Do you know the scoop? Well, the scoop is this: The meaning of words is fixed by the context. And, the word scoop is no exception. Without context it could mean: 1) A deep shovel, 2) A particular style of neckline on ladies' apparel, or 3) Information of interest that has been obtained and published exclusively. Scoop can be used either as a noun or as a verb. Today's message and a few messages to follow will be about spiritual scoops. For our purposes, a spiritual scoop is information of eternal interest that is stated exclusively by a single biblical writer or speaker. Here's…

Speak O God with a Clear Loud Voice Comfort Us
     'Word from Scotland' from Sandy Shaw

Turn to Isaiah Chapter 42 verses 1 to 10. The years of sore imprisonment are over and not only does Isaiah see the people of God coming back from exile in Babylon - not only does he give them tremendous words of comfort - words to put strength into these men and women - but he sees a very special servant……

Looking like Daddy
     'Refreshment in Refuge' from Gina Burgess

Several years ago I wrote a column called Weightlifting or Carrying Baggage. The main question is first: How do we look more like the Father? The second question is: How can we be blameless? One thing to remember is that being blameless in God's eyes is not at all the same as being sinless. We are blameless because Jesus stepped in to take the wrath of God onto Himself rather than us having to endure it all because we believe God, believe in His Son, and understand that we are sinners in desparate need of God's grace. Let's look at one passage which is indicative of how…

The Bible And You (1)
     ''Christ in You...'' from Dale Krebbs

"Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD: And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find it". (Amos 8:11-12) This prophecy is understood by some to be duel in application. This occured to Israel, but also presents a type of a greater fulfilment in the future. What if there were NO Word of God? What if it could not be found? What if there was NO…

Victory Lap
     'Voice of Inspiration' from Andy Castro

I could see, in my mind, an Olympian gold medal winner running his victory lap with the fiery torch. I hear the Lord say to start running the victory lap now. Start seeing yourself as the victor in any given situation. Romans 8:37 AMP 'Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors and gain an overwhelming victory through Him who loved us [so much that He died for us]. ' As you run, people will see the fire of God that you carry. A flame that cannot be quenched. You've been in the elite training course for the God of army angels. He will not send you to battle…

Politics With The One You Love
     'Inspiration For You' from Randy Mitchell

More than likely, while getting to know someone for the purpose of forming a romantic relationship, the subject of politics will eventually boil to the surface. You'll be sharing that bag of buttered popcorn waiting for a movie to start, chit chatting in a restaurant looking forward to your favorite meals to be served, watching the news, or lying in bed when all of a sudden sloppy smiles appear, or explosive hair-pulling begins making the gloves fly off while discussing the latest political headlines. After all politics, and probably religion are two of the most debated subjects…

Bible and Quote - May 19 -23
     'Bible verse and quote' from Jan Couns

(after the enemy fled from battle) Joab left off fighting the Ammonites and returned to Jerusalem. the Syrians. regrouped (and) sent for the Syrians who were across the River. 2 Samuel 10:14-16 Partial defeat stirs up our foes to stronger struggles. Alexander Maclaren, 1826-1910, British Baptist expository preacher When (the enemy’s regrouping) was told to David, he gathered all Israel, crossed over the Jordan and defeated them and they made peace with Israel. 2 Samuel 10:17-19a Why try to fight the battle on the field of (the enemy’s)…

Eucharisteo: Jesus Saved Me
     'God's Words For US' from Cecelia Lester

I write a list of God’s gifts to me throughout the year. Salvation is the best gift God gives his children. As we enter the season of Thanksgiving, we spend time reflecting on what God has done in our lives, what he has given us, and we express our gratitude. Where would I be if Jesus hadn’t saved me? All I know is I would not be where I am nor who I am today. Jesus spoke to an insecure teenager and said, “I can take care of those worries and fears you have.” But she really didn’t understand. The LORD spoke…

My Dad
     'Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life' from Tom Kelley

When I was six years old I noticed that there were other people who must have been a whole lot older than be just because they were all bigger. My parents kept telling me that I would grow bigger the older I got. Mom told me one time that I asked her, "Is Dad really old? He's so big." Dad was, to a six year old, huge. Now, he wouldn't have been very big at all. Dad was, in his prime, almost six feet two inches tall. He was very slim built possessing a metabolism that could have fueled the electricity for our little town. He weighed all of one hundred and sixty five pounds…

Lest Anyone Should Boast
     ''Winging It' from Stan Smith

I recently finished Rosaria Butterfield's The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert. This is not a review of the book. If you don't know who she is, she was a leftist, lesbian professor that despised Christians ... and then became one. Good story. She was redeemed and actually turned her life over to Christ. She has drawn a lot of fire from the LGBT community because she stopped being a lesbian and married a pastor. There was one part in her story, after she was a pastor's wife, that shocked me. It shouldn't have, but it did. She wrote about talking to a woman at a church that…