…you serve a risen Savior!

When Pigs Sing
     'Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life' from Tom Kelley

Paul Dickson once said, "Never try to teach a pig to sing; it wastes your time and it annoys the pig." I used to work on farms during the summers of my teen years. One farmer, Robin Wright (no not THAT Robin Wright...this was a guy 20 years older than me), raised hogs. Every now and then I would have the chance to work the hogs with him. It was difficult work but fun, nonetheless. One particular day we were trying to get the hogs to go through a run to a chute and into a pen. One sow wasn't cooperating. She kept turning around and going back the other way which created confusion…

Going to Church
     ''Winging It' from Stan Smith

I'm going to use a phrase which, I'm pretty sure, will conjure up an image to most of you with reasonable similarity. "I went to church last Sunday." Okay, now, I'm pretty sure that most of you now have some sort of an image that involves a building, a sign on the front, maybe a cross or something, a place in which people gather. And if I were to tell you that phrase, that image would be fairly accurate. Here's the thing. Nowhere in Scripture can you find anything remotely like that image associated with the word, "church". Jesus said, "Upon this rock I…

Patience of the Sands
     'The Way' from Kevin Pauley

It is better to be patient than powerful; it is better to have self-control than to conquer a city. – Proverbs 16:32 Many years ago, a French company decided it was going to mine the desert. It brought in its machines, pushed aside the huge dunes building in their place an airstrip and a building complex. They hooked up huge diesel-powered generators and began digging. But the Sahara has been around a while and is unimpressed by our civilization. After all, it has seen many human empires come and go. Like a dragon sleeping on its hoard, it jealously guards millions…

Peace Equates to Comfort (12-29-10)
     'Today's Little Lift' from Jim Bullington

Peace and good will toward man are wonderful and unfathomable blessings! Among the significant sayings of the angelic chorus to the shepherds, perhaps their words about peace are best known. As a part of our study on comfort, we submit the greater context (Luke 2) in which the angel's words about peace are found. 1And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. 2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 4And…

Some People Think Their Ways Are Better Than Gods Ways
     'Word from Scotland' from Sandy Shaw

Give ear – pay attention – come to me – hear me. We are reading these opening words of Isaiah Chapter 55 – and these are such simple words in verse 3 – words of one syllable, coming from a man of God. Isaiah goes on to speak to the people of Israel -……

The City of The Dead
     'Voice of Inspiration' from Andy Castro

I recently read a very interesting article about people who live in, “The City of The Dead”. The City of the Dead is a four-mile stretch of tombs and mausoleums in Cairo, Egypt. The article states that tens of thousands live in the tombs without water or electricity. Yet they have a satellite dish and a television because it’s free. What a contrast of living and dying. In the book of Mark, chapter 5:2-5, it describes a man who lived amongst the tombs. 1. He was under the power of an unclean spirit 2. He continually lived among the tombs 3.…

Where was Jesus for 3 days?
     'Refreshment in Refuge' from Gina Burgess

Let me ask you this... Matthew 11:11 "Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist! Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than He. Why did Jesus say this if there was no difference between OT saints and NT saints? I am not trying to prove a hierarchy just that Jesus pointed out a difference between OT and NT. Was it so important to have this distinction? John the Baptist was the awaited Elijah, Jesus said so. John died before Jesus did. John died under the Law. Those "least…

The Bedside Evangelist
     ''Christ in You...'' from Dale Krebbs

I know an evangelist like no other I have ever known or ever herd of before I met him. Many years ago he was a member of a moticycle groupwho traveled all over America. This he did for many of his younger years. Somehow, I know not how for sure, he was changed - in a big way. Athough he continued to love the motorcycle life, God choose for him another endeavor. One like none other I had ever heard of at that time. My knowledge of this man and his new life began abouit 10 years ago in the restaurant area of a large Mall. While sitting in the waiting area reading, I glanced up when…

Be Passionate
     'Inspiration For You' from Randy Mitchell

I had the pleasure of seeing the famous blues guitarist, B.B. King perform during the 90’s in Washington D.C., and most recently here in Dallas a while back. He’s definitely slowed down some, lagging the aggressive and mesmerizing zip he once had (taking about 30 minutes to introduce his band). But, despite the fact that Mr. King is now well into his 80’s, thousands still flock to see him play every year looking to catch the wave of a living legend, still doing what he can to make us smile through his supreme gift of music. And after recently reading his…

Bible and Quote - March 17-21
     'Bible verse and quote' from Jan Couns

The righteous man will flourish like the palm tree; He will grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Psalm 92:12 Help me to quit saying, ‘This is the way I am,’ and remind me that I am capable of tremendous transformation with You. Beth Moore, b.1957, Christian author and teacher, So Long Insecurity The righteous will still yield fruit in old age; They shall be full of sap and very green. Psalm 92:14 Grace is often most vigorous and fruitful when nature's strength decays. Thomas Coke, 1747- 1814, Welsh, first Methodist Bishop Blessed is the man whom You chasten,…

Forgiveness
     'God's Words For US' from Cecelia Lester

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32 (NIV) “Be ye kind one to another, tender hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake, hath forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32 (KJV) God’s word through the Apostle Paul, admonishes us to be kind and considerate to all we meet. The person ahead of us at the grocery store check-out line sees we have one or two items and tells us to go ahead of him or her. The member of the gas crew, working at a neighboring house,…