…you serve a risen Savior!

Our Cloud of Witnesses
     'God's Words For US' from Cecelia Lester

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked for us.” Hebrews 12:1 (NIV) Our Cloud of Witnesses, who is in it? The writer of Hebrews tells us the heroes of the faith from chapter 11 are there. We believe that people who walked with God and whom we have known when they lived are interspersed throughout. Can we imagine being in that cloud of witnesses…

Bible and Quote - April 7-11
     'Bible verse and quote' from Jan Couns

O sing to the Lord a new song, For He has done wonderful things; His right hand and His holy arm have gained the victory. Psalm 98:1 We may break ourselves off from all that is sinful in our past lives, and begin afresh, saying, ‘God helping me! I will write another sort of biography for myself for the days that are to come. Alexander Maclaren, 1826-1910, British Baptist expository preacher Serve the Lord with gladness.. Psalm 100:2a Be not an eye-servant or a man-please; serve God with singleness of heart and the Lord who gives you grace to serve, will…

One Big Bug
     'Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life' from Tom Kelley

I have always found nature fascinating, even frightening at times. Lightening and thunder storms have been able to keep me riveted for their duration. I have sat and stared at tornadoes in the distance from the front porch of my ancestral home in Ohio. But what has kept my attention more than anything else are the critters that populate nature. Not the big ones that big game hunters bag for wall decorations, but the little ones under our feet that collectors obtain for...uh...er...wall decorations. You know, insects. Many of the people I know are shorter than me while some…

Wrestle Not?
     ''Winging It' from Stan Smith

It seems to be a common idea these days. We ought to avoid conflict. The mentality of earlier America, for instance, when "Live free or die" was an actual motto and people thought that fighting for freedom was noble is no longer "in". We prefer now a "kinder, gentler" perspective. Do not take up arms. Do not go to war. There isn't anything worth fighting about, at least not seriously. Well, at least not Christians. Christians are not supposed to fight. You know, like the Bible says: "Wrestle not." Except that's not what it says. Here's what…

A Theology of the Trivial
     'The Way' from Kevin Pauley

The angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God. And behold, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month. For nothing will be impossible with God." - Luke 1:35-37 God took an ordinary, every day girl and gave her life such a shake that the whole world has been reeling from the results ever since. She was no different from you and I. She did not…

Time (1-3-11)
     'Today's Little Lift' from Jim Bullington

So the story goes that a youthful salesman stopped by a farm one day to peddle his wares. Looking out over the field, he saw the farmer hoisting a pig up into the air so he could reach one of the ripened apples on the tree. Somewhat stumped by the event, he continued to watch; amazed, he saw the farmer do this a half dozen times – lift the pig up, let him down to eat a choice apple, lift the pig up – and repeat the cycle. Being somewhat aware of time management, the salesman could not manage his curiosity. He made his way out to the farmer, introduced himself, and began…

The Living Relevant Word of God Which Pierces and Challenges
     'Word from Scotland' from Sandy Shaw

Isaiah Chapter 56 – “Justice” and “Righteousness” are words which appear often in these chapters of Isaiah, and if there is no Justice and Righteousness the consequences can be catastrophic judgment. God provides the righteousness and then He tells us what to do.……

Why do we doubt?
     'Refreshment in Refuge' from Gina Burgess

There was a story told long ago about a certain wealthy man. He had so much wealth he struggled to remain alive because he did not want to leave behind his wealth when he died. When that fatal day finally came, the angels came for him, and he begged and pleaded to bring at least some of his gold with him to Heaven. The angel tried to explain to him that naked he came into the world and naked he would leave. But, his gold had never let him down. He had always been able to open locked doors with it and to build bridges to foreign lands with it. So after vigorous pleading, the angels…

Stealth Move
     'Voice of Inspiration' from Andy Castro

It was the same pattern as before. Subtle, stealth and snipe are the staple words for how He works. It’s His modus operandi to apply maximum damage with little visibility. Who is this guy? He is God. But not just any god, He is the God of army angels. In the beginning He spoke the stars, moon, sun and earth into existence. But when it came to mankind, the reflection of Himself, He took special attention. Silently He molded the future of the earth’s existence, keeping the fallen, in anxious terror. It was a stealth move. We see it from time to time…

The Best Witness
     ''Christ in You...'' from Dale Krebbs

Should you be witnessing your belief in Jesus Christ to your friends, neighbors, fellow employees, to people passing by you on street, etc.? The way you live your life becomes your witness regardless of whether others around you know about the details. They are influenced by only a few things: -How you treat them. -How they see you live. Let your life be your witness…if or until they ask to know more. And then, only a little at a time. They are potential babies in Christ. If they respond in a positive willingness to know more, they can digest only milk for a while if…

Celebrate Yourself!
     'Inspiration For You' from Randy Mitchell

There’s a wonderful saying, “Go where you’re celebrated, not where you’re tolerated.” When I think about these words, so many meanings come to mind: the people in your life and their attitudes towards you, the places you frequent socially, your workplace environment and those you meet for the very first time. They also raise the questions: are the people and surroundings you deal with supporting, loving, befriending, even helping you when you need them the most? Or do they pull you down, surround you with negative energy, refuse to acknowledge…