…you are the light on the hill!

Bible and Quote - April 21-25
     'Bible verse and quote' from Jan Couns

For the sake of Your word, and according to Your own heart, You have done all this greatness (and) to let Your servant know. 2 Samuel 7:21 He has set forth by His Word the secrets of His will that He has decided to reveal to us. These He decided to reveal in so far as He foresaw that they would concern and benefit us. John Calvin 1509-64, The Institutes of the Christian Religion You are great, O Lord God. For there is none like You, nor is there any God besides You, according to all that we have heard with our ears. 2 Samuel 7:22 May my testimony inspire…

His Unfailing Love, Our Hope
     'God's Words For US' from Cecelia Lester

“May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in you.” Psalm 33:22 (NIV) This past Sunday was World Communion Sunday/Unity Sunday. The churches of my denomination in our town held a Unity Service at the High School auditorium. This service came at the end of a weekend of being a part of a retreat experience with women from another church. As a result, I spent time reflecting on who I am, what I need to do to grow closer to the LORD, and how I can let the light of Jesus shine through to others. Our bishop spoke…

Remote Control
     'Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life' from Tom Kelley

Life is great, isn't it? Evening comes, work is done, and we sit back in our easy chair and watch a little something on the telly. We grab this device with rows of buttons on its top side and start pushing buttons until we achieve the desired result. What were our ancestors thinking making televisions without remote controls? Consider this. Since the 1950's, just after TV's invention and coming of age, America has grown obese and more sedate according to recent studies. Guess there was something to having to get up off the couch to turn the TV on and off and change channels.…

Whatever Happened to Prayer Meetings?
     ''Winging It' from Stan Smith

In Acts 12 there is a kind of fun story about Peter in jail. Herod had James, John's brother, beheaded and found out the Jews liked it. So he had Peter arrested and planned to further the fun by killing him after Passover. Well, God had other plans. In the night an angel came in, kicked Peter and told him to get up and go, and they walked out. Peter didn't even know it was real until the angel left him outside the prison. Imagine that! So he went to where he knew Christians would be gathered and knocked on the door. Sure enough, there was a group inside praying for Peter, but when…

Helping the Grieving, Part 1
     'The Way' from Kevin Pauley

Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. – Romans 12:15 According to Paul, part of God’s will for your life is that you learn empathy. We are to rejoice with others when good things come their way. But we are also to grieve alongside them when the dark times come. Notice that Paul didn’t say we are to comfort them? That’s because comforting them would be in large part impossible. There is no easy way to help. There are no clear-cut, three-step answers. There is no pill that can be taken, nor wonderful counsel that can be given…

Snow II (1-19-11)
     'Today's Little Lift' from Jim Bullington

During the sunny but cold days that followed last week’s snowfall in Atlanta, I found it necessary to wear sunglasses when driving for any length of time. I had seen snow before, but not like this. Immediately after the snow fell, a slow and extremely cold rain began to fall and formed a crust of ice on top of the snow. The grass, trees, bushes and everything close to the surface of the earth reflected light from all directions; the indirect light literally hurt! For centuries, the word snow has been used to describe objects that are extremely white. In fact, the Bible uses…

For Many This Battle Is Unknown
     'Word from Scotland' from Sandy Shaw

Luke 18 verses 1 to 8 – It is all about Jesus and the lady who bothers the judge – and she is persistent – and she is relentless. Jesus invites his disciples to pray – but we must never think we can have a good Prayer Time. What does God think if it? One of the hardest……

Exhibiting the sanctity of life
     'Refreshment in Refuge' from Gina Burgess

Do you ever wonder why David cut the corner off Saul’s robe rather than killing him in that cave? (1 Samuel 24). Then David’s heart was troubled after he did that. That word troubled is a very strong word in Hebrew that means to strike (as the KJV translates it) but also means to kill, slaughter, murder, stripes, wound. David felt that for just cutting off the corner of Saul’s robe. Yet, he took the life of Uriah (1 Samuel 11-12). One would think that David would remember how his heart wounded his soul for taking the robe’s corner, but…

Twas Anything but Silent
     'Voice of Inspiration' from Andy Castro

Twas the night before Christ was born and all through the barn, all the creatures were stirring wondering who these two were. Mary was frightened and Joseph unsure of what the heck God was doing. It seemed like a blur. They had to leave home to give birth in a barn. It didn't make a bit of sense. The Redeemer born in a barn! And it was anything but silent. The person who wrote "Silent Night Holy Night" apparently didn't have kids. With restless animals and Mary in labor it was not silent. Joseph had to be on edge and unsure what to do. And who…

What Is Going On...?
     ''Christ in You...'' from Dale Krebbs

Why are events in the nations of the world happening as they are? It seems that the world as we knew it has been turned upside down. Events seem to be out of control worldwide. Is there something going on that the world in general does not see? Most details about world conditions are too complicated to be completely understood. However, the source of the condition of the world can be known and understood. There are only two major realities that we need to know in order for world events to be understood. World conditions are changing by the hour. Even by the minute. There are many…

Focusing On The Good
     'Inspiration For You' from Randy Mitchell

Seeing the positive in people is far easier than only seeing the negative. No matter who you work with, marry, be-friend, date, parent, or live beside, sooner or later there’ll be personality traits which you don’t agree with, or find uncomfortable to be around. We’re all created differently, are an original masterpiece created by God, and like any living thing, there are no two of us exactly alike. It’s what makes the human race such an incredibly diverse body of souls. But, how we interact, and appreciate each others positive and negative qualities…